Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 20, 1993 TAG: 9302200195
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
GRUNDY POISED FOR AA TITLE
The forecast for today's conclusion of the state Group AA wrestling tournament calls for continued reign.That is, the continued reign of Grundy High grapplers, who have claimed six straight state championships.
Friday, in the first of the two-day wrestling blitz at the Salem Civic Center, Grundy opened up a sizable lead in quest of yet another piece of hardware for its bulging trophy case.
"They say you can't beat Grundy," Northside coach Fred Wagner said. "I would hope maybe somebody can - this year or any year."
It will be tough to catch the Wave this year. Six wrestlers for Grundy, which is ranked 20th in the nation by USA Today, advanced to the semifinals as the team piled up 70.5 points through the quarterfinal round. Leading the way are defending state champs Eric Kendrick (130 pounds) and Shane Bowman (140).
Northside, the king of Region III, occupies second place with 52 points. William Byrd is tied for seventh with 25 points, Martinsville is 14th (18) and Lord Botetourt is 17th (14).
The tournament ends today with two sessions - semifinal and consolation matches, beginning at 11 a.m., and championship matches, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Five of Northside's 10 state wrestlers are headed to the semifinals. Vikings Clifton Dunford (119), Travis Jarrard (130), Robin Keeling (140), Bryan VanRavestein (160) and Richie Oliver (heavyweight) each advanced with two Friday wins.
Jarrard defeated Dan McGough of Loudoun County 9-7 in the quarterfinals. The Viking senior pulled away in the final period after a 5-5 tie.
"I watched [McGough] in his first match and he looked tired in the second period," said Jarrard, competing in his first state tournament. "I knew if I could stay close, I could beat him. That's exactly what happened."
VanRavestein rolled over Tabb's Randy Stowe with a 14-0 major decision in his quarterfinal match. This is the third trip to the state for VanRavestein, a senior. Last year, he was one match from placing in the championship round.
"If I put my mind to it, I think nobody can beat me, and then I wrestle like it," he said. "I don't want second. I want first."
Other area wrestlers who advanced to a semifinal match were William Byrd's Patrick Henderson (125) and Kyle Hamman (heavyweight), Dan Sell (130) of Lord Botetourt and Speros Koumparakis (171) of Martinsville.
Sell edged Howard Kohl of Chancellor 6-5 for his 29th straight win, but only sixth by decision.
William Byrd's Heath Brogan (140) lost 12-9 to Mike Jacobus of Park View and dislocated his left shoulder as Jacobus slammed him to the mat at the end of the third period. Brogan left on a stretcher and was taken to Lewis Gale Hospital, where X-rays were negative and the shoulder was set back in place.