ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 5, 1996 TAG: 9612100160
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-7 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
While the Roanoke Valley District race might be closer than in years past, Franklin County is a strong favorite to win a 10th consecutive wrestling crown.
In the Blue Ridge District, it's too close to call between Lord Botetourt, Northside and William Byrd. The Cavaliers may have a slight edge based on experience.
In the Group A ranks, Glenvar (Three Rivers District) and James River (Pioneer District) have some top wrestlers, but they may not have enough to contend for a team title.
In the Seminole District, Liberty and Staunton River must struggle to catch dominant Brookville.
In the Virginia Independent Conference, North Cross has seven seniors back, but the Raiders must fill some open spots if they're to contend for the league championship.
The big news, of course, is that former Grundy coach Kevin Dresser takes over at Christiansburg in the Blue Ridge District. While he was at Grundy, Dresser's teams won eight consecutive state titles. He retired on that note last spring, but he missed coaching, and that brought him to Christiansburg.
Dresser's influence might be felt in the future. For now, Christiansburg doesn't figure to beat out the big three in the Blue Ridge. His presence, though, should make it exciting.
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 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 160 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 in 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, including 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, second-year coach Adam Williams will try to defend a district title with six or seven sophomores in the lineup. The Terriers have quality in 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).
At Salem, Jamie Giarla (189), who finished third in the state last year, and Joey Albert (215) will get a late start as they are members of the Spartans' football team, which is still alive in the playoffs. 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).
At Christiansburg, Dresser will build around a nucleus that includes defending 112-pound state champion Jamie Harris, John de Rosset, Eric Schmucker, Eric Thurlow, Trinity Heckman, and Adam Toler. Harris and de Rosset will be at 112 and 119, although it is uncertain at this point which will be where. Schmucker has a bright future at 152 or 160. Heckman could be a big surprise at 189. Toler is coming back from injuries and won't be available at 145 or 152 until after the first of the year.
Lee Worley will spend his second season as the boss at Blacksburg trying to fill out a complete lineup and bring the Indians back to respectability.
In the Roanoke Valley District, 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 is the most notable returning Eagle and he'll start out at 152. Bruce Cobbs stays at heavyweight, where he was a district champ and third in the region. He also won a couple of matches in the Group AAA tournament. Corey Witcher moves to 215 from 189 where he was second in the district and region and also won twice in the state. Josh Gibson, a district runner-up at 215, will compete with Cobbs in heavyweight.
Other top Eagles are 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 third-place region finisher Maurice Lacy (125) and Tony Donner, a transfer from North Carolina with two years of 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 wrestle at 112. Other top Knights are Adam Mancen (152), who was fourth in the region, and heavyweight Matt Berger.
Pulaski County loses 12 of its top 14 wrestlers from last year. Among the veterans are 171-pounder J.R. Osborne, who went 24-4 last year but fizzled in the postseason, and 112-pounder Marcus Tangtong. If the season goes well for Osborne, he'll win his 100th high school match.
Liberty, under Chris Watts, has little experience after two potential returnees transferred. Gary Dooley is back and moves from 112 down to 103 while brother Rick tries to improve on his fourth-place finish in the Group AA 130-pound class. Jeremiah Hambrick (140) was in the state's final eight, and 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 last year.
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 state last year.
Glenvar has two-time Pioneer District champ Brock Reed at either 171 or 189 for coach Dave Mueller. Heavyweight 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.
Floyd County and Shawsville both have new coaches, Clay Moran for the Buffaloes and Mike Blevins for Shawsville. Moran will have defending 140-pound state champion Kamal Chantal, who will be moving up to 145. Blevins will be in his second tour of duty as the Shawnees coach.
Coach Ed Dickinson welcomes back three VIC champions at North Cross: Daniel Cho (160), who won at 152; Noukanh Thephasauk (140); and Lane Lonbrake (135), who won at 130. The Raiders return seven seniors, but must fill some lower weight classes.
Local teams wrestle for supremacy
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By BOB TEITLEBAUM
STAFF WRITER
While the Roanoke Valley District race might be closer than in years past, Franklin County is a strong favorite to win a 10th consecutive wrestling crown.
In the Blue Ridge District, it's too close to call between Lord Botetourt, Northside and William Byrd. The Cavaliers may have a slight edge based on experience.
In the Group A ranks, Glenvar (Three Rivers District) and James River (Pioneer District) have some top wrestlers, but they may not have enough to contend for a team title.
In the Seminole District, Liberty and Staunton River must struggle to catch dominant Brookville.
In the Virginia Independent Conference, North Cross has seven seniors back, but the Raiders must fill some open spots if they're to contend for the league championship.
The big news, of course, is that former Grundy coach Kevin Dresser takes over at Christiansburg in the Blue Ridge District. While he was at Grundy, Dresser's teams won eight consecutive state titles. He retired on that note last spring, but he missed coaching, and that brought him to Christiansburg.
Dresser's influence might be felt in the future. For now, Christiansburg doesn't figure to beat out the big three in the Blue Ridge. His presence, though, should make it exciting.
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 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 160 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 in 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, including 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, second-year coach Adam Williams will try to defend a district title with six or seven sophomores in the lineup. The Terriers have quality in 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).
At Salem, Jamie Giarla (189), who finished third in the state last year, and Joey Albert (215) will get a late start as they are members of the Spartans' football team, which is still alive in the playoffs. 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).
At Christiansburg, Dresser will build around a nucleus that includes defending 112-pound state champion Jamie Harris, John de Rosset, Eric Schmucker, Eric Thurlow, Trinity Heckman, and Adam Toler. Harris and de Rosset will be at 112 and 119, although it is uncertain at this point which will be where. Schmucker has a bright future at 152 or 160. Heckman could be a big surprise at 189. Toler is coming back from injuries and won't be available at 145 or 152 until after the first of the year.
Lee Worley will spend his second season as the boss at Blacksburg trying to fill out a complete lineup and bring the Indians back to respectability.
In the Roanoke Valley District, 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 is the most notable returning Eagle and he'll start out at 152. Bruce Cobbs stays at heavyweight, where he was a district champ and third in the region. He also won a couple of matches in the Group AAA tournament. Corey Witcher moves to 215 from 189 where he was second in the district and region and also won twice in the state. Josh Gibson, a district runner-up at 215, will compete with Cobbs in heavyweight.
Other top Eagles are 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 third-place region finisher Maurice Lacy (125) and Tony Donner, a transfer from North Carolina with two years of 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 wrestle at 112. Other top Knights are Adam Mancen (152), who was fourth in the region, and heavyweight Matt Berger.
Pulaski County loses 12 of its top 14 wrestlers from last year. Among the veterans are 171-pounder J.R. Osborne, who went 24-4 last year but fizzled in the postseason, and 112-pounder Marcus Tangtong. If the season goes well for Osborne, he'll win his 100th high school match.
Liberty, under Chris Watts, has little experience after two potential returnees transferred. Gary Dooley is back and moves from 112 down to 103 while brother Rick tries to improve on his fourth-place finish in the Group AA 130-pound class. Jeremiah Hambrick (140) was in the state's final eight, and 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 last year.
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 state last year.
Glenvar has two-time Pioneer District champ Brock Reed at either 171 or 189 for coach Dave Mueller. Heavyweight 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.
Floyd County and Shawsville both have new coaches, Clay Moran for the Buffaloes and Mike Blevins for Shawsville. Moran will have defending 140-pound state champion Kamal Chantal, who will be moving up to 145. Blevins will be in his second tour of duty as the Shawnees coach.
Coach Ed Dickinson welcomes back three VIC champions at North Cross: Daniel Cho (160), who won at 152; Noukanh Thephasauk (140); and Lane Lonbrake (135), who won at 130. The Raiders return seven seniors, but must fill some lower weight classes.
LENGTH: Long : 254 linesby CNB