The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, December 30, 1994              TAG: 9412290180
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON    PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   44 lines

ROLE REVERSAL WAS FUN IN FREE-FOR-ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE

LET'S GET READY to ruuuumble!

That was the announcer's cry last week at Independence Middle School, where a crazy twist of events had cheerleaders wrestling and wrestlers cheerleading.

You've heard of powder puff football games. Well. . . .this was powder puff wrestling.

The afternoon of entertainment was dreamed up to raise money for the student activities department. Wrestling coach Paul Facteau and cheerleading sponsor Linda Midgett thought up the zaniness.

Some of the proceeds already were earmarked for the Chess Club before the wrestlers even took the mat.

A few other faculty members couldn't help but get caught up in the action.

Guys like Jay ``The Wizzard'' Ward, who runs the cafeteria. Ward took on the coed tag team of Kristina Moore and Brian Prince who, in pro wrestling form, eventually double-teamed the Wizzard and pinned him.

Guest referee and teacher Amy McNicholas quickly counted ``one, two, three'' - emphasis on quick.

McNicholas would later take on cheerleader ``Sharp'' Sharee Brantley in one of several grudge matches.

Who won? Who cares. It was all for fun and for a good cause. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by PETER D. SUNDBERG

ABOVE: Independence Middle School ``wrestlers'' Holly Odom, top, and

Sheyenne Branch get down to funny business on the mat. RIGHT: Sara

Steil gives Tiffany Traylor a helicopter spin during their

``match.''

ABOVE: Cheerleader-turned-wrestler Laura Wynne falls gracefully in

her match with Annie Rosso. LEFT: Drummer Carl Woodridge and members

of the wrestling team dressed as cheerleaders entertain the crowd

during the student activities fundraiser.

by CNB