ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602150033
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
The wrestling technique employed by Christiansburg High 171-pounder Darrin Slusher is unconventional yet devastating.
So unconventional that such tactics may never before have been seen on a wrestling mat anywhere. So effective that they have already produced 18 victories this year alone.
So revolutionary, so deadly, so mesmerizing.
So dull.
Slusher bores his foes into submission.
``He's unorthodox, I'll tell you that,'' Christiansburg coach Dean Underwood said. ``He's so methodical. Most kids are used to wrestling quickly. He's so methodical and kids aren't used to seeing that style. They don't know how to attack it.''
You'd like to find language to give this unique style its due, but you won't get much help from its inventor, at least as far as colorful descriptions are concerned.
``I have no idea what you call it,'' the mustachioed senior said. ``It's mostly stalling.''
But not exactly. Referees won't put up with that. Just say it's the next best thing. Whatever you call it, it's produced an 18-4 record this year.
Sometimes, Underwood can hardly stand it. The slow he can put up with. The dangerous is what bothers him.
Slow doesn't always equate with playing it safe for Slusher.
``He does things you don't usually do,'' Underwood said. ``The reason you don't do those things is because you'll usually get into trouble. Darrin somehow finds a way to get out of it and come out on top.''
Slusher isn't quite certain how that happens.
``I can get out of anything almost,'' he said. ``I don't know how, but somebody gets me in a move and I can squirm out of it.''
Wrestling at 160 last year, Slusher was the New River District champion, eventually making it to the state tournament, where he failed to place.
``I didn't even enjoy wrestling last year until the end of the year,'' Slusher said. ``At the district tournament, I started to enjoy it. At the state, I really started to enjoy it. I really didn't even want to be there at the start of the season though. I was still tired from football.''
Slusher has gained more recognition from football, having made all district in each of the past two years, once for defensive end and once for guard. Ultimately, he'd like to play that sport in college.
For now, he's concentrating on his wrestling.
``I've enjoyed it right from the start,'' he said.
The defeats have come to very good competition, including Scott Holleman of Shawsville and Scott Justus of Grundy. Justus, whom Slusher lost to at a holiday tournament in Grundy, he'll most likely see again at regionals. Ben Fritz of Graham, who also beat Slusher this year, will also be at regionals.
The district tournament will be Friday. Christiansburg could do well with 112-pounder Jamie Harris (18-1), 140-pounder Adam Toler (8-4), 145-pounder Eric Thurlow (10-4), and 152-pounder David Epperly (5-7), among others.
Epperly and 189-pounder Trinity Heckman, a transfer from William Byrd, could be the surprises of the tournament. Heckman has gone 3-0 since becoming eligible at the end of January. Epperly has wrestled a lot better than his record would indicate.
Eric Schmucker, Christiansburg's 160-pounder, was fourth in the state last year at 152. John de Rosset at 103 has been troubled by injuries, but he's fine now and has a 6-1 record.
For Slusher, the last several weeks of the season could be the last wrestling he'll do. Naturally, he'd like to to finish strong.
``I love that feeling you get when you beat somebody and you give it everything you have and nobody's helped you,'' he said.
Nothing boring about that.
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Ray Cox. Desire is a big motivator for Christiansburgby CNBHigh 171-pound wrestler Darrin Slusher, who has 18 victories this
year. color.