Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 4, 1991 TAG: 9103040095
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Kahila says that wrestling, because it is an individual sport, is so important on the state level. He's talking about kids landing college scholarships and not just winning championships.
"If you're a college coach and have `X' number of dollars [in scholarship money], wouldn't you want to use it on a sure thing?" Kahila asks. "What's a sure thing? It's like a state champion or placing in the state.
"The colleges in Virginia haven't recruited a lot out of state, though they do look at wrestlers in Pennsylvania. So [Virginia] kids have to have a good showing in the state if they're going to get a scholarship."
Unfortunately, the only Roanoke Valley District wrestler to finish sixth or higher in the Group AAA tournament was Cave Spring's Noah Tempkin (135), who was third and lost only two matches all year.
By Kahila's evaluation, Tempkin is a sure thing if he wants to continue wrestling in college.
So are Martinsville's Lemart Stockton (119) and Christiansburg's Tim Nininger (103), who won Group AA titles. Stockton's brother, Stacy, won a state title a year ago, was co-Timesland wrestler of the year with Christiansburg's Brian Eigel, and earned a full scholarship to Virginia Tech.
Lemart Stockton, after winning the state a week ago, said he hadn't heard what Tech will do. However, if the Hokies have any wrestling money, there will probably be two Stocktons at Tech next year.
Glenvar claimed four Group A titles and there were several Timesland wrestlers making the final four. However, that isn't an automatic scholarship because the Group A ranks are regarded as being weaker than the other two divisions.
For years, the Highlanders haven't participated in the Big Orange tournament, which features all of Roanoke's teams plus some other strong squads. New Glenvar coach Dave Muller wanted his team in the Big Orange this year to get a line on how good it was, but the tournament was full.
Because of college scholarships being based on success in the state, Kahila says it adds pressure to some wrestlers.
"We tell the kids the pressure's there win or lose. If we worry about the pressure and it defeats us, we haven't had a chance to win," said Kahila about matching individuals' success and good results for the team.
"If we wrestle like we're capable of wrestling and put the pressure aside, then the chances of success are much greater. That's what we try to get them to accept.
"It's good for motivation in practice, but it can come back to haunt you if a kid has added pressure to get into college and get a scholarship."
Two Franklin County wrestlers got scholarships a year ago, though neither won the state. Walter Preston (189) earned a scholarship to William and Mary because he lost by a point in an early round to the eventual state champion.
Raymond James (171) did get to the finals and earned a scholarship to VMI.
"The coaches knew about them," Kahila said. "But if you have a kid who has never done anything in the past, then their senior year is big.
"I've seen this [pressure] play a big part on kids' performances. It hasn't hurt us in the past, knock on the wood, because we know about it and how to deal with it."
Although Magna Vista's basketball season is over, coach Jim Young made a startling move in this week's Piedmont District tournament. He brought 5-foot-7 Marcus Toney, 5-10 Rodney Redd and 6-2 Tony Holmes, all freshmen, up from the junior varsity and started them against Tunstall.
The Warriors upset Tunstall and then lost 51-38 to Laurel Park, the state's No. 1 Group AA team, in the semifinals.
Why did he do it?
"I've got guts," Young said with a laugh.
He also had 6-2 sophomore DeSean Hairston and 6-2 freshman Paul Ford on the bench from the junior varsity.
More seriously, Young said: "We've had sickness and injuries, so I decided to go with a youth movement. Tunstall beat us pretty good twice, so I guess when you have three kids who have never played at this [the varsity] level, it's an upset."
by CNB