HAMMAN, HENDERSON AND FRIENDS TAKE BYRD DOWN TO MAT VICTORIES

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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 14, 1993                   TAG: 9301140379
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long
HAMMAN, HENDERSON AND FRIENDS TAKE BYRD DOWN TO MAT VICTORIES
Hamman, Henderson & Associates sounds like a high-powered, marble-floored, big-city law firm, one you would want representing you if you were in a heap of trouble and your immediate future was in balance.
If your back was against the wall. Or against the wrestling mat.
On William Byrd High School's wrestling team, Kyle Hamman (a senior heavyweight) and Patrick Henderson (a 125-pound sophomore) are the principal partners. Their closing-argument tactics are extremely convincing, although they rely little on rhetoric and mostly on quickness, technique, strength and conditioning.
Last Thursday, Hamman and Henderson recorded critical, first-period pins (worth six team points each), leading their squad to a 33-28 decision over previously undefeated Salem. Byrd trailed 28-27 when Hamman stepped onto the mat for the final match.
In less than a minute, Hamman pinned his opponent, shook his opponent's hand, permitted the referee to raise Hamman's arm in victory, and withstood a mobbing from his overjoyed teammates. Case dismissed.
"I thought it [the match's outcome] might come down to that," Hamman said, soon after the dramatic conclusion. "It sometimes does."
Midway through the 1992-93 season, Hamman and Henderson are among a select few of Roanoke wrestlers who remain unbeaten.
Going into Tuesday night's match against Rockbridge, Hamman owned a 9-0 record with seven pins. Henderson was 10-0 with six pins. Both are aggressive wrestlers who quickly shoot for takedowns. And their reputations grow with each successive win.
They will be among the top wrestlers to watch in the 1993 Big Orange Classic that opens Friday at 2 p.m. in Byrd's gym. Sixteen regional high schools, representing Group A, AA and AAA divisions, will participate in this premier event, in its 17th year.
Group AAA powerhouse Franklin County, Big Orange winner for the past five seasons, is again the overall favorite, according to Byrd coach Barry Trent. He recognizes Brookville, William Fleming, Lord Botetourt and Northside as strong contenders.
But Trent looks to his counsel to score many of his team's points.
Last year, as a freshman, Henderson became a starter and compiled a winning record (8-7) for the Group AA Terriers. A late-season elbow injury prevented him from wrestling in the Blue Ridge District tournament.
This year, Henderson has been flawless. He was selected the outstanding wrestler (among all weight classes) in the Turner Ashby Invitational in Harrisonburg in December.
"Patrick's work habits are tremendous," Trent said.
Now in his 14th season as Byrd coach, Trent was a 132-pound Byrd state champion in 1974 and guided the team to a state title in 1982.
Henderson, who has intentionally lost about 10 pounds, also runs cross country for the Terriers. He can cover a mile in about 5 1/2 minutes. Henderson's endurance seldom has been tested on the mat this season, however, as he has notched several early pins.
"Quickness and technique are more important than strength," Henderson said. "What's the use of strength if you're behind [in points] and your opponent knows how to keep control?"
Henderson's goals this season are "to win the district, place in the region and place in the state. I'm going to try my best," he said.
At 245 pounds, Hamman almost doubles his counterpart's weight. Still, he concedes as much as 30 pounds to some of his heavyweight opponents.
Hamman posted a commendable 25-9 record as a junior, but he was not satisfied. "I could have done better," he said.
In '92, Hamman won the district, placed third in the region and advanced to state competition where his defeats were to the eventual champion and to the fifth-place finisher. This season, his aspirations include a state championship and a scholarship from VMI.
Hamman was a second-team all-district offensive tackle in football and holds the school record in the bench press with 330 pounds.
"Wrestling is a lot more intense, more aerobic than football," Hamman said. "I really was out of wrestling shape when football season ended."
Trent said: "Kyle has come on leaps and bounds since he moved here in the spring of his freshman year. I think he really turned the corner about the middle of last season."
Trent rewarded his heavyweight's progress by selecting him captain of the team.
STANDINGS MetroSeason Franklin County 3-011-1 Northside 3-05-0 Staunton River 1-02-2 William Fleming 3-18-1 Salem 2-16-1 William Byrd 1-14-1 James River 0-14-1 Glenvar 0-11-2 North Cross 0-11-5 Lord Boteourt 0-25-2 Cave Spring 0-21-2 Patrick Henry 0-3 2-5 SCHEDULE
Tonight - Covington and Bath County at James River, 6.
Friday - William Byrd, Glenvar, Franklin County, Northside, William Fleming, Lord Botetourt, Salem, Cave Spring, and Patrick Henry at Big Orange, 2 p.m.; Shawsville at North Cross, 7.
Saturday - Big Orange semifinals 10:30 a.m.; follow-up matches; and consolation finals at 7 and championship matches to follow. Jefferson Forest and Liberty at Bedford County Tourney at Staunton River, 10 a.m.
Tuesday - James River at Glenvar, 7 p.m.
Wednesday - William Fleming at Patrick Henry, 7 p.m.; Jefferson Forest at Staunton River, 7 p.m.
THE UNDEFEATED (at least two decisions)
William Fleming - Keno Shepherd, senior, 103, 119, 12-0; Edward Jones, junior, 171, 12-0.
William Byrd - Patrick Henderson, sophomore, 125, 10-0; Kyle Hamman, senior, heavyweight, 9-0.
Lord Botetourt - Dan Sell, senior, 130, 11-0.
James River - Tony Bocanegra, senior, 103, 9-0.
Glenvar - Chris St. Clair, senior, heavyweight, 6-0.
North Cross - Phillip Ramsey, junior, 125, 6-0; Aaron Lange, senior, 189, 2-0.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB