ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602260120
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RIDGEWAY
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
The past nine months have been a whirlwind for Adam Williams.
Since June, Williams has graduated from Washington and Lee University, gotten married, landed a job teaching ninth grade, and taken over as wrestling coach at William Byrd High School.
Saturday was yet another memorable occasion for Williams. His wrestlers ran away with the Region III wrestling tournament at Magna Vista High School, dominating 20 other teams.
Entering Saturday night's championship finals, Byrd held nearly a 90-point advantage over second-place Brookville (210-1201/2). With seven finalists, far more than any other team, the Terriers already had the team championship locked up before taking the mat for the finale.
``It looks pretty good,'' Williams said before the finals, suppressing a smile. ``We had a good week of practice.
``We've been very successful on our feet, and right now, I think we're hungrier than most other teams.
``And as an afterthought, I'd say we're in shape. I killed 'em this week [in practice]. I gave them a test, and they passed it in flying colors.''
Byrd's final margin of victory was 991/2 points (230-1301/2). Patrick County finished third with 1181/2 points.
Byrd's individual champions included junior Randall Sell (119 pounds), senior David Anderson (125), junior Lonny Wade (130), senior Scott Minter (145), and sophomore Timmy Boothe (215).
Sell, who improved his overall record to 23-3 with an 8-4 decision over Brookville's Mac Parker in the championship, attributed his team's success to confidence and diligence.
``Our coaches made us believe we could win the region,'' Sell said. ``We were working twice as hard the past couple weeks,'' including practices before and after school.
``Coach [Williams] had us look at Byrd's [1982] state championship banner while we were running wind sprints in the morning,'' Sell said. ``It was pretty inspirational.''
Anderson (22-4) took his title by decisioning Northside's Brad Hungate 4-1 in a rematch of last weekend's Blue Ridge District final.
``I have confidence in my ability to score takedowns,'' said Anderson, who led Hungate 2-1 before scoring two back points as time expired.
In one of the most exciting championship matches, at 160 pounds, Amherst's T.J. Cashwell (20-1) edged previously undefeated Anthony Lanier (19-1) of Laurel Park 9-8. Cashwell trailed late in the third period, but rallied.
At 189 pounds, Salem sophomore James Giarla ran his perfect mark to 22-0, defeating Byrd's Daniel Wagner for the championship, 7-1.
Heavyweight John Miller from Bassett also remains undefeated (24-0). He pinned Salem's Dan Baker in 3:44 in the finals. Baker placed fifth in the state a year ago.
The Blue Ridge District fared well, placing four teams (Byrd, Lord Botetourt, Salem and Northside) in the top 10.
``But other than Byrd, everyone in the [Blue Ridge] district is real, real young,'' Northside coach Mark Agner said.
Staunton River, representing the Seminole District, had two individual champions (more than every other school except Byrd and Brookville). Josh Ridgeway (103) and Danny Thomas (135) won their weight classes and the Golden Eagles jumped from 10th to seventh in the team competition.
Botetourt placed fourth in the region, the same position it finished a year ago, but coach Tater Benson was left to consider what might have been.
``We were 14-1 in dual meets and lost 36-33 to Byrd,'' Benson said. ``We've got a bunch of freshmen and sophomores who turn out an effort every day. But [senior] Ross Miller, who came into the tournament 22-3 [at 140 pounds], didn't place in the top four, and Nathan Campbell, our 160-pounder, didn't make the trip because he had the flu. We could have done better.''
Benson's 125-pounder, sophomore Matt Hall, who is missing his legs below the kneecaps, finished sixth.
``If you thought he was something this year, wait until next year,'' Benson said. ``Matt didn't miss a day of weight lifting [after wrestling season concluded last year]; strength is the key to his success.''
The top four finishers in each weight class advance to next weekend's Group AA tournament in Salem.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for statistics.
LENGTH: Medium: 81 linesby CNB