Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 23, 1992 TAG: 9201240288
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB McLELLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
SALEM WRESTLERS TRY TO BUILD TRADITION
It's still not to the stage they would like, but Coach Roger Lovern and his unbeaten senior star Luqman Wade (119) are pleased with the strides made by the Salem High School wrestling program.There was a time, during Wade's freshman season, when the Spartans would forfeit as many as six individual matches in a meet because they didn't have enough athletes, Wade said.
Now, with Lovern's patient and steady methods, the Spartans have begun to the slow process back to respectability.
Salem has not lacked entry in any of the 13 weight classes this season and has managed to win eight of its 10 dual meets.
"We still are not where the other teams fear us, but I hope we will get to that stage," Lovern said. "The interest and support of the administration has been great. We are getting better crowds and all that makes a difference."
Wade, who was third in the state last season at 112, hopes the student interest and support will continue to improve.
"Football has such a strong hold on the interest in Salem, but I hope we can make a dent in that. Football has a great winning tradition, but I think there is room for wrestling in there somewhere," he said.
Wade was a letterman in football as a wide receiver and cornerback. But because of his size, he enjoys wrestling, where he's had five successful seasons.
He has his sights set on winning the state this season.
"I sure would like to bring it all home in my senior year," Wade said. "I am not going to make the mistake of looking ahead because I have seen too many things happen. I'm not going to assume anything but take my matches one at a time."
Wade says he is a wrestler who is not too concerned with scoring a pin. "Winning is the main thing," he said. "I have seen too many boys get beat and do some foolish things trying to get a pin."
Lovern said his team's next two Blue Ridge opponents - unbeaten Lord Botetourt and William Byrd - will give the Spartans a real test.
A highlight of last week's matches was Group A James River's second place finish to Group AA Abingdon in the Rural Retreat tourney. But the Knights lost two unbeatens in the process - senior heavyweight Robbie Hendrix and junior Jimmy Adams (145), who finished third and second, respectively, in their weight classes.
Junior Tony Bocanegra, however, won four matches at 103 to continue unbeaten after 17 tries.
The star of the 12-team meet was Brandon Semones, Glenvar's unbeaten 171 pounder, who was voted the week's most outstanding wrestler.
Wade, Bocanegra, Semones and Fleming junior Keno Shepherd (103) are the only healthy of the seven unbeaten Metro wrestlers with at least five decisions.
On the ailing list, as they have been for several weeks, are Glenvar junior Ryan O'Malley (160), Cave Spring senior Ryan Taylor (189) and Franklin County's junior heavyweight Rick Young.
see microfilm for box score