Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9503020033
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Individually, the Bobcat grapplers enjoyed unparalleled success, capturing five individual titles - more than double the total of any other team in the tournament. But because of three forfeits, the Bobcats finished a disappointing third in team competition.
"I did think of being region champs," said Radford coach Tony DeHart, whose team lost several wrestlers during the course of the year. "Capturing five titles takes away any bitterness. I was overwhelmed, it was a great feeling to see the kids looking so good. I thought once the finals started they took it up another notch."
James River, the Region C champion, captured only two individual titles; runner-up Grayson County hauled in one.
Leading the way for the Bobcats was 103-pound freshman Ryan Hall, who ran his record to a sterling 24-1. Hall captured the title by pinning Bath County's Levi Fish at 1:45 of the second period.
"He has got a chance at state," DeHart said. "People will have to worry about him. If anybody has ever seen a better freshman I would like to see him."
While Hall leads the Radford youth brigade, he is not its only rising star. Fellow freshman Stephen Murphy captured the regional crown in the 112-pound class, and sports a record of 20-3 heading into this weekend's state tournament. Murphy has a chance to place in the top three, but will have to grapple his way through a difficult group of challengers, DeHart said.
Also capturing titles were Benjy Fry (119), Peter Lee (152) and Jason Abercrombie (145), who is the team's only senior. Brian Hudson (125) and Chris Quesenberry (140) also advance to the state tournament.
Solo Act: Sophomore J.R. Osborne, of Pulaski County, advanced to the state tournament by capturing the Northwest Region's 171-pound title.
"He took the kid [his opponent in the finals] plumb out of his style," said Fred Blevins, the Pulaski coach. "It was one of the best control matches I have ever seen. He held his composure and didn't make any mistakes. That is very difficult for a sophomore to do."
Steven Osborne, J.R's brother, finished a disappointing fifth and will serve as an alternate. J.R. was the only Pulaski wrestler to advance to the main draw of the state tournament.
Shawnee Star: Shawsville's Scott Holleman, a junior who sports a record of 27-2, pinned James River's Kevin Peery in a scant 45 seconds to capture the Region C 171-pound title.
Holleman's only losses this year have come to the aforementioned Osborne, and in an ill-fated attempt to wrestle at 160 pounds.
"He has pretty much dominated A and AA opponents in his weight class," said Shawsville coach Tom Mitchell. "I don't want to curse anybody, but I will be disappointed if he isn't in the top four [at the state meet]."
Blacksburg Battered: Heavyweight Nathan Cumbee was the only Indian wrestler to advance to the state tournament. But don't tell Blacksburg coach Lee Worley the regionals were a disappointment.
"I thought everyone wrestled real well," said Worley. "We had nine brand spanking new wrestlers this year. It was amazing [what the Indians accomplished]."
One of Blacksburg's best wrestlers, Kip Kenyon, was denied the opportunity to wrestle in the Region IV meet after aggravating a knee injury he received during football season.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***