ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 5, 1996 TAG: 9612050004
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: RAY COX AND BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITERS
Kevin Dresser's impact on the Christiansburg High School wrestling program has been immediate and significant.
The new coach, who succeeded highly regarded Dean Underwood, has been traveling the region drumming up support for the sport. The former All-America wrestler at the University of Iowa and the guru behind eight of Grundy's Group AA titles isn't just working the Christiansburg school district, either. He's out selling the sport and developing ideas for feeder programs in the surrounding areas, as well.
``I'm a realist,'' he said. ``I know that Christiansburg isn't going to get better unless the competition gets better, as well.''
Dresser represents instant credibility for Christiansburg. Better still, he has material with which to work.
The best of the bunch, as far as accomplishment goes, is Jamie Harris, the defending Group AA champion at 112 pounds. Harris could stay at 112 or move up to 119 pounds. John de Rosset will land at whichever of those weights Harris will not occupy.
There also are high hopes for Eric Schmucker, who will wrestle at either 160 or 171. The book on Schmucker has been that he tends to fade late in matches.
``We'll work on that,'' Dresser said. ``He has all the tools.''
Others to keep an eye on include Eric Thurlow at 152 or 160, Trinity Heckman at 189, and Adam Toler at 145 or 152.
Christiansburg probably won't contend for the team title in the Blue Ridge District this season. It's too close to call among Lord Botetourt, Northside and William Byrd unless one goes by experience. Then Botetourt gets the nod.
Lee Worley will spend this season at Blacksburg trying to fill out a complete lineup and bring the Indians back to respectability.
While the Roanoke Valley District might be closer, Franklin County is a strong favorite to win a 10th consecutive wrestling crown.
Pulaski County coach Danny Osborne lost 12 of the 14 starters he had a year ago.
Those who are back include Osborne's son J.R., a 171-pounder, and 112-pound Marcus Tangtong.
J.R. Osbornewent 26-4 last year before fizzling in the postseason. If he wrestles to his considerable capabilities, he stands to win his 100th high school match this year.
Franklin County lost five starters.
``We're going to have a good team from top to bottom, I just don't know how good,'' said Coach Kris Kahila.
The Eagles are Timesland's best and most consistent program. Besides dominating the district, Franklin County is also aiming at a third consecutive Northwest Region title, something that hasn't been done by any other school.
All-Timesland Ivan Trotter (145) is the most notable returning Eagle and he'll start out at 152. Bruce Cobbs drops from heavyweight to 189. He was a district champ and third in the region. He also won a couple of matches in the Group AAA state tournament. Corey Witcher (215) was second in the district and regional, but also won twice in the state.
Other top Eagles are Josh Gibson (heavyweight), Wayne Duncan (171), Will Powers (135), Adam Flora (125) and Stacy Menefee (103).
William Fleming rebuilds under new coach Matt Golden, who was formerly head coach at Alleghany. The Eagles have Maurice Lacy (125) back from being third in the region at 125 and Tony Donner, a transfer from North Carolina with two years experience at 130. Other Colonels of note are Everet Watson (heavyweight), Maurice Carson (160) and sophomore Dee Marino (215), who wrestled as a freshman.
Patrick Henry has new coach Keith Goff, who was an assistant at Great Bridge, the best Group AAA program in the state. Gouss Joseph (140), Jimer Hubbard (152) and Frank Saul (160) return to bolster a young team.
Cave Spring under second-year coach Ray Broughman, lost four seniors, but got transfer Brandon Frost, a 103-pound district champ at Patrick Henry last year, who will be at 112. Other top Knights are Adam Mancen (152), who was fourth in the region, and heavyweight Matt Berger.
In the Blue Ridge, Lord Botetourt under Tater Benson gets the nod in the Blue Ridge with 12 returning starters. Caleb Rossi (145) and Kenny Michalski (112) have state experience in those classes from last year when the Cavaliers started six freshmen and four sophomores.
``We still have the youngest team around with only two seniors [Kevin Honaker at 1690 and Nathan Campbell at 117],'' said Benson. ``It can't do anything but make us stronger.''
Benson says his team ``is capable of winning the Blue Ridge District.'' His worry is with the Region III, which the Blue Ridge District has dominated the last few years.
``The Dogwood District has only two teams and we're still trying to figure out how to seed. If they get 1-2 in all the brackets, it could hurt some good wrestlers from districts that send four teams to the region,'' said Benson.
Northside returns nine wrestlers from last year inluding 140-pound All-Timesland Jason Vaughn, who'll start at 152 after finishing fifth in the state at 140. Tommy Dickenson will move to 140 from 130, where he was Blue Ridge champ. Other top Vikings for veteran Coach Mark Agner are Tommy Burchett (171) and Byron Roop (135). Burchett jumps from 160 where he was fifth in the region while Roop won the 135-pound district title.
At William Byrd, Coach Adam Williams starts his second year defending a district title with six or seven sophomores in the lineup. The Terriers do have quality with the return of Randall Sell (125) who was third in the state at 119 and Timmy Boothe (215), who was fifth in the state. The Terriers will build behind Chris Madonia (112 or 103), Ben O'Baugh (135), Richie Taylor (171), Ben Jones (161 or 152), Daniel Wagner (189) and Corey Walker (112).
Salem is waiting for football playoffs to finish this week and that will cause 189-pounder Jamie Giarla, third in the state last year, to get a late start as it will 215-pounder Joey Albert. Matt Anderson (171) and Ivan Brewer (160), also on the football team, might come out. The Spartans have high hopes for 135-pounder Matt Dillon and freshman Jeb Wright (112).
In the Three Rivers District, Floyd County and Shawsville both have new coaches, Clay Moran for the Buffaloes and Mike Blevins for Shawsville. Moran will have defending 140-pound Group A state champion Kamal Chantal, who will be moving up to 145. Blevins will be in his second tour of duty as the Shawnees coach.
Glenvar has two-time Pioneer District champ Brock Reed at either 171 or 189 for coach Dave Mueller. Heayweight Tyler Brown has one district title while Brian Burk is a transfer from Bassett at either 160 or 171. Kevin Solesbee was fourth in Region C and he'll move from 152 to 160.
In the Seminole District, Liberty and Staunton River must struggle to catch dominating Brookville.
Liberty under Chris Watts has little experience after two potential returnees transfered. Gary Dooley is back and moves from 112 back to 103 while Rick Dooley, his brother, tries to improve on his fourth-place finish in the Group AA state 130-pound class. Jeremiah Hambrick (140) was in the state's final eight while Phillip Davis (130) should do well.
Scott Sutphin (130) and Danny Thomas (140) are the only returning wrestlers who placed in the region for Staunton River, coached by David Lugar.
James River, under veteran coach Otis Timberlake, returns Jason Cuddy (103), Billy Joe Carter (215), Jared Boblett (135) and Josh Peck (135), a transfer from Alleghany. Carter was fifth in the Group A state last year.
LENGTH: Long : 132 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: RAY COX/Staff. Kevin Dresser (left), former All-Americaby CNBwrestler at the University of Iowa, is selling the sport and
developing ideas for feeder programs in areas surrounding
Christiansburg. color.