ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602190137
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
The Roanoke Valley District might want to consider renaming the district wrestling tournament the Franklin County Invitational.
The Eagles extended their mastery of the event Saturday, capturing their ninth straight district title.
The Eagles scored 235 points, winning six weight classes on the way to top honors. Pulaski County finished second with 189 points and six individual winners.
``We had a really good second round and that made a big difference,'' Franklin County coach Kris Kahila said. ``We got 11 pins in that round.''
Despite his team's ninth straight title, Kahila voiced some disappointment.
``We were a little lacking in some of the matches and I don't know why,'' Kahila said. ``After a lot of our guys wrestled, they didn't support their teammates, and that really bothers me.''
Franklin County dominated the opening two rounds of competition, placing 13 of 14 wrestlers into the championship round.
``Our goal was to get 14 wrestlers into the finals,'' said Trung Nguyen, a 112-pounder for the Eagles.
Pulaski County coach Wayne Vieers said that was the difference in the tournament.
``It's difficult to beat a team that gets all but one wrestler in the finals,'' Vieers said. ``But I'm pleased with our performance tonight.''
Pulaski County advanced nine wrestlers to the finals, Cave Spring four, and Patrick Henry and William Fleming one apiece.
Nguyen ran the RVD gauntlet, winning his fourth straight title with a 16-9 decision over J.T. Thomas of Pulaski County.
``It feels good to win four straight titles,'' Nguyen said. ``I don't think anyone here has ever done that.''
In the 130-pound division, Brian McGinnis of Pulaski County defended his 1995 title, pinning Franklin County's Frankie George in one minute.
``The first title is always the best, but this one is just as sweet,'' McGinnis said. ``This was one of my goals coming into this year. Another is to make it to state [tournament].''
Franklin County's Brian Jones won his third district title, capturing the 152-pound class when Cave Spring's Adam Maneen was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Jones, the third-place finisher in last year's Group AAA championships, improved to 30-0 with the victory.
One of the evening's most exciting battles was waged in the 103-pound division. Patrick Henry's Brandon Frost fought back from a 13-4 deficit to defeat Stacy Menefee of Franklin County, 21-15.
Maurice Lacy won William Fleming's only title, defeating Cave Spring's David Richards in the 125-pound class.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 linesby CNB