THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 14, 1995 TAG: 9501140349
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
The unexpected withdrawal of the national prep champions has opened the door for Lake Taylor to become the first Norfolk school to participate in one of the showcase matches at the Virginia Duals.
The Titans will replace Mount St. Joe (Md.) as one of eight teams in the National Invitational Team Wrestling Championships beginning today at 9 a.m.
Mount St. Joe withdrew Thursday because several of its wrestlers have the flu.
The two-time defending Eastern District champion Titans, ranked fourth in the area by The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, are undefeated in 14 Virginia Duals appearances. But they'll be taking a major step up in class today. The Titans' first-round opponent is top-seeded Grundy, by far the toughest foe Lake Taylor has faced here.
``We look at it as a great opportunity to showcase our kids for college coaches,'' Flynn said. ``That's what it's all about. Who cares about the won-loss record?''
The Titans are led by 130-pounder Joel Jimenez, No. 1 in the area, and No. 2 heavyweight Brad Vera.
In Friday's matches:
Deep Creek 31, Kempsville 28: Hornet 189-pounder Doug Norris pinned Jeremiah Smith in 2:34 to boost 10th-ranked Deep Creek past the ninth-ranked Chiefs. Norris' victory broke a 25-all tie and cemented the surging Hornets' fifth straight victory after an 0-5 start.
Oscar Smith 33, York 31: Rafael Butts pinned Singue Holmes in 1:11 to lift the Tigers past the Falcons. It marked the second time this season a Butts pin has meant victory for Oscar Smith. In December, he pinned Kevin Fuller to secure the Portsmouth Invitational title.
Salem 43, Tabb 16: The No. 6 Sun Devils won five by fall, including a 27-second pin by top-ranked 119-pounder Chip Reyes.
Maury 31, Tabb 27: Heavyweight Steve Bruner decisioned John Waite, 7-3, to allow the Commodores to hold off the Tigers.
Tallwood 47, Bethel 19: Top-ranked 112-pounder Mike Mercado led the fifth-ranked Lions with a technical fall over Jason Sigler.
Halifax 51, Kellam 18: Pins by 140-pounder Hunter Hooper and 145-pounder Brian Allen left the struggling Knights down by only three, but Halifax won by fall in the final five matches.
Green Run 45, Hampton 28: Sasha Kahan Waters (119 pounds) and Doug Houston (145) won by fall as the Stallions routed a Crabber team with just eight wrestlers. by CNB