ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701310032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
LEXINGTON
VMI WILL BE THE HOST when eight military colleges invade Lexington for the All Academy Wrestling Championships this weekend.
If you're planning on taking over the United States this weekend, Lexington is not the place to start.
By Friday afternoon, representatives from eight military colleges across the country will hit town by various means for the third annual All Academy Wrestling Championships, to be held beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday in Cameron Hall.
Participating schools include Army, Navy, Air Force, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Norwich (Vt.) University, The Citadel and host VMI.
It is the first time VMI has played host to the event, which originally was conceived by late Citadel coach and Roanoke Valley wrestling legend Dr. Ken Shelton. Shelton, who coached Northside to three state championships and numerous records in the 1960s, wanted to gather all the nation's military schools for a tournament each year. He was working on the project in 1994 when he died suddenly at age 54. Army coach Jack Effner took up the cause and in 1995, the first championships were held at West Point, N.Y.
``Ken talked to me about it,'' said John ``Rocky'' Trudgeon, VMI's coach. ``It was his brainchild.''
VMI has had great showings in the first two tournaments, with a Keydet wrestler taking Outstanding Wrestler honors in 1995 (Charlie Branch) and 1996 (Adam Mickiewicz). It is the event's highest individual honor.
VMI could be in line for more honors this year. The Keydets haven't lost a dual match in three years and they have the top wrestler this season in five of the Southern Conference's 10 weight classes. Mickiewicz, a two-time defending conference champion at 134 pounds, Jason Foresman, the All Academy champ last year at 142, 158-pounder Reese Edington and heavyweight Leslie Apedoe should contend for titles.
By playing host to the event, Trudgeon already has seen a reward of sorts. Other than The Citadel, VMI is the only southern school involved, and it would be easy to keep the tournament in the north every year. But Trudgeon convinced his peers to come south, even if it took some planning. The military's supposed to be good at that, anyway.
``It's one of the biggest ones we've had here,'' said Trudgeon. ``It ranks up there with the [Virginia college] state meet''
To cut down on costs, Coast Guard will stay at the VMI Hospital and the Merchant Marines will stay at the armory near Rockbridge County High School. Army also offered to transport the Merchant Marine team to Lexington. Most appropriate, Air Force is arriving by plane. The Keydets are busily awaiting their arrival.
``We're like a one-armed paper hanger,'' Trudgeon said.
Thankfully, there are plenty of arms on the way.
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: BOB McFADDEN. VMI's Reese Edington (left), at 158by CNBpounds, should compete for a title at this weekend's All Academy
Wrestling Championships in Lexington. color.