Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 10, 1994 TAG: 9402100260
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BRIAN DeVIDO STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Richardson, a four-year starter on Cave Spring High School's wrestling team, started his career at 5-foot-9 and 103 pounds. Three years older, wiser and presumably with a much heartier appetite, Richardson has taken his talents to the 160-pound class.
Quite a weight gain, those 57 pounds, considering Richardson has grown only three inches in the past three years.
"I've seen a lot of people who don't even recognize me," he said. "I attribute [the weight gain] to natural growth and weightlifting."
Steve Spangler, the Knights' coach, agrees.
"He has always been lean and cut," Spangler said. "He's just grown."
Take one look at Richardson and it's hard to imagine how he could possibly lose any weight. His skin is tight, the muscles well-defined with veins bulging from his biceps.
It appears he's made the right choice about his weight class. Richardson, who was considering wrestling at 152 pounds this season, is 17-1 and will be the top seed at 160 this weekend in the Roanoke Valley District tournament. His loss was a wild 18-17 defeat at the hands of an E.C. Glass wrestler in the final round of the Big Orange.
"I thought I would be able to get down to 152 at the beginning of the year," Richardson said. "But I weighed myself before the season began and I was 174. After that I said, `No way.' "
Richardson has gained an average of 19 pounds each season, but he doesn't want other wrestlers to think he lies around on the coach all day eating pizza, chips and pie.
"One thing I want people to know is that I cut weight," he said. "Wrestlers take pride in cutting weight. I cut 14 pounds. I had to work to get down there."
Richardson can't wait until he can eat - a lot - and weight watching is a thing of the past.
"Oh yeah, I enjoy it," he said, drooling at the thought of ordering everything on the menu. "During the end of the season it's really bad. You take eating for granted. When you can't eat, you realize it's one of your favorite things to do."
Dreams of rich, savory meals occupy Richardson's thoughts during these days of watching his caloric intake: a Whopper with melted cheese, juices dripping onto a plastic tray; or a large bowl of chocolate ice cream.
"Big juicy steaks," Richardson said. "They're my favorite. I'm kind of a steak-and-potatoes man."
That would describe his wrestling style, too. Nothing fancy. Not much sizzle or flash, but bread-and-butter moves that make him a solid performer.
"I've really had no signature move I rely on," Richardson said. "A lot of guys at 160 are as strong as bears - they'll throw you around if you lock up with them. Guys at 140 [the weight class in which Richardson wrestled last season] are pure wrestlers, not just football players who wrestle."
So Richardson, who finished second in the district and sixth in the region last season, has relied on his wrestling smarts instead of sheer power. It's paid off this season.
"[After] wrestling in those lighter weight classes, he wrestles like a lightweight," Spangler said. "He definitely is one that has the patience that our younger kids don't have. He has the mat savvy to get himself out of trouble."
That's not the only area of the sport where Richardson has smarts. After moving up in class every year, he knows a thing or to about what weight is best for other wrestlers.
"The main thing I've noticed is that no matter if you move up in weight, it doesn't mean you won't do well," Richardson said. "You adapt to the weight class. I've seen guys that should have moved up a weight class, but stayed where they were, guys that cut down to 140 or 145 but should have been 160."
Richardson said he probably won't wrestle in college. That should give him more time to study.
It also will give him the opportunity to eat. For that, he should be happy.
by CNB