FRANKLIN WRESTLERS LEAD METRO

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 9, 1992                   TAG: 9201100224
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BOB McCLELLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
FRANKLIN WRESTLERS LEAD METRO
As this week began, there were only 11 undefeated wrestlers among the 12 Metro teams with at least four decisions.
Three of the undefeated are from Group A Glenvar. Lord Botetourt and Franklin County each had two while William Fleming, Cave Spring, North Cross and Salem each had one undefeated wrestler.
Three of the unbeatens are defending champions in this weekend's Big Orange battle at William Byrd, where Franklin will be favored and will be gunning for its fifth straight title and sixth overall. Fleming's Keno Shepherd will be back at 103 as will Lord Botetourt's Bryan Anderson at 152. But Franklin County's Thomas Simmons has moved up from 140 to 145.
Two of the unbeatens, Ryan Taylor of Cave Spring and Rick Young from Franklin County, are not expected to compete in the Big Orange because of injuries. North Cross' Steve Harman will be competing in the St. Anne Belfair meet in Charlottesville.
This will be the busiest weekend for the Metro teams as all are involved in major events. Nine of the teams will be in the Big Orange while James River and Staunton River will be competing in Saturday's Alleghany's duals. North Cross will be in the STAB.
Northside, which was unbeaten in dual meets last season, and Botetourt are unbeaten for the season. But it is Franklin County that has the best overall record. The powerful Eagles of Coach Kris Kahila has racked up 11 impressive wins while losing only to highly ranked Grundy. Franklin also won the big Green Run tourney last month.
Fleming, which had three victories in last weekend's Heritage quad has won six Big Orange titles and could give the favored Franklin team a run this weekend. Coach George Miller has been bringing his Colonels along at a steady pace and could provide some surprises.
Byrd has won two Big Orange titles while Salem and Cave Spring have one title each. Action opens Friday at 4 p.m. Semifinals are set for Saturday at 11 a.m. Consolation finals are Saturday at 7 p.m. with championship finals to follow.
NOTE: See microfilm for statistics.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB