Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 4, 1995 TAG: 9503070029
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In fact, after advancing 11 of his 13 wrestlers into this morning's semifinals of the Group AA state wrestling tournament, the Grundy coach's focus was on the two losses.
Dresser, a 1986 NCAA wrestling champion (142 pounds) at the University of Iowa for wrestling guru Dan Gable, is guiding Grundy toward its ninth consecutive state title.
The semifinals begin at 11 a.m. today at the Salem Civic Center.
After Friday's competition, Grundy held a commanding lead over Poquoson (107-731/2).
Northside, which has finished third and second the past two seasons, is third with 351/2 points, two ahead of Broad Run. Virginia High is in fifth.
``There's a whole lot of wrestling left,'' said Vikings coach Mark Agner. ``The semifinals is where you rack up your points.''
Agner's two wrestlers who have not lost at state are Leland Keeling (130 pounds) and Chip Nininger (189).
Grundy's quarterfinal losses came at the hand of Blue Ridge District wrestlers. William Byrd's Patrick Henderson outlasted freshman Donnie Bishop 9-7 at 152 and Salem heavyweight Dan Baker pinned Luke Owens in 4 minutes, 47 seconds.
Henderson and Baker's outstanding performances were just two among several from the Blue Ridge, which has three of the top seven teams. Byrd, the district and regional champion, is sixth and Lord Botetourt seventh. Salem is 13th.
Like the Vikings, Byrd, Salem and Botetourt each have two wrestlers in the championship bracket.
``I was up 9-3 in the third period and just wanted to ride [Bishop] out,'' Henderson said. ``Then I got called for stalling. I then let him escape, and then he got a takedown.''
Does it mean a lot to beat a wrestler from Grundy?
``I consider him just like anybody else,'' Henderson said. ``I try not to make anybody better than me.''
One of Friday's biggest upsets was at 103 pounds, where Scott Judy of Appomattox lost to Matoaca's Tremayne Austin 9-8 in the second period of overtime.
Judy, who had pinned 27 consecutive opponents this season, fell behind 8-7 late in the match. He forced an overtime with an escape in the final nine seconds, but seemed to tire. Judy came back to register a quick pin in the consolations.
Fauquier's Pete Hodgson was removed from the mat on a stretcher after defaulting during his match against Botetourt's Barry Williams. Hodgson hit the mat face first, lost consciousness and sustained a neck injury. Medical personnel were concerned about keeping his neck stationary and were very careful before moving him.
``I think he's going to be fine,'' said Hodgson's father, Robert.
by CNB