Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 10, 1992 TAG: 9201100430
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: PHYLLIS A. FAIR SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BIG ORANGE FIELD AIMING FOR EAGLES
Records are made to be broken, and that's what Franklin County's wrestling team will be trying to do at the 16th annual Big Orange Classic today and Saturday at William Byrd High in Vinton.The Eagles (12-1) have won the wrestling tournament the past four years, tying William Fleming for most consecutive titles.
Franklin County coach Kris Kahila said a fifth straight title will be hard to achieve with 16 teams involved.
"I expect to win. If I expect for anything less, the kids will see that," Kahila said. "We can be beaten, but we expect to win. If we don't win, I would be disappointed."
In order to win, Kahila said several of his wrestlers need to reach the finals.
"Of course we want to win every weight class," he said. "We feel if we can put six or better wrestlers in the finals, we're in good shape. Last year we had two champions and four or five second places."
Kahila, whose teams have had winning seasons for the past 12 years, has several contenders.
Thomas Simmons (145 pounds) is the returning Big Orange champion in his weight class, and is undefeated with a 16-0-1 record this season.
Other Eagles with outstanding records are 103-pounder Darin Wray (14-3), 135-pounder Isreal Gilbert (14-2), 140-pounder Chuck Ellis (15-3) and 160-pounder Derrick Poindexter (16-1 with 14 pins).
"Everyone will be gunning for them and they know that," Lord Botetourt coach Mark Agner said. "It will not be an easy way for them."
Other teams expected to give the Eagles competition are Brookville, William Fleming and Lord Botetourt.
Brookville has a team dominated by seniors, including returning Big Orange 189-pound champion Jeremiah Scott, who finished third in the state last season and is 8-0 this season.
The Bees also have returning Region III champion Jonathan Thomas (8-0) at 130 pounds.
"I've seen Brookville in a tournament, and they are definitely capable [of beating Franklin County]," Agner said.
William Fleming coach George Miller agreed with Agner on Brookville's talent.
"They've already proven that they have a tough team," Miller said. "They won the [Salem] Iron Man."
The Bees have an extra incentive to win this year.
"The wrestlers are tired of losing to Franklin County every year," said Brookville coach Paul Anthony. "We do pretty well in dual meets, but we've never been able to win the Big Orange."
Last year Franklin County came from behind to beat Brookville in the final round.
William Fleming has a history of doing well in the Big Orange and the Colonels have a 9-1 record going into the tournament. Keno Shepherd (12-0 this season) is the returning Roanoke Valley District and Big Orange champion in the 103-pound class.
Lord Botetourt has an outside shot at winning. Bryan Anderson (7-0 this season) is the defending 152-pound Big Orange and Blue Ridge District champion.
Dan Sell, at 125 pounds, won this season's Iron Man less than a month ago and also is 7-0.
Kahila said he knows everyone will be out to beat the Eagles, but he's not giving his wrestlers any pep talks.
"I just tell them it's time to turn on their intensity switch," he said. "It's their job to be intense and to go as hard as they can go. I tell them, like that [U.S.] Army saying, `Be All You Can Be.' "
\ BIG ORANGE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
What: 16th annual Big Orange Classic. Where: William Byrd High School.
When: Today and Saturday.
Cost: $4 per session and $10 for the tournament.
Time: Today, 2 p.m., first round. Saturday, 8:30-10:30, first round follow-up; 11 a.m., semifinals, second-round consolations; 1 p.m., quarterfinal consolations and semifinal consolations; 7 p.m., consolation finals; 8 p.m., championship finals.
Teams: Bassett, Blacksburg, Brookville, Cave Spring, E.C. Glass, Fieldale- Collinsville, Franklin County, Heritage, Lord Botetourt, Martinsville, Northside, Patrick Henry, Salem, Glenvar, William Byrd and William Fleming.