THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501120175
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Northeastern High School's wrestling team may be out to its best start in several years, but the Eagles ran into a buzz saw this past week in Big East Conference rival New Bern.
In the 160 bout, Steve Adonolfi's quick reversal pin in the first period clinched undefeated New Bern's 49-18 win.
Northeastern's C.J. Harris led Adonolfi 4-1 and had him on the ropes late in the first period of the 160 match, but Adonolfi scored a quick reversal and pin with 29 seconds left in the period. The fall gave the Bears (11-0) an insurmountable 37-18 lead with three matches to go.
Although Northeastern is off to its best start (4-1) in several years, the Bears, ranked fourth in the state by a statewide wrestling publication, used five pins to down the Eagles.
The Bears opened up a 13-6 lead when 1994 conference champion Dave Wilkinson won a 9-0 major decision over Johnny Jones at 125. The Eagles came back at 130 when Ernest Sutton (10-4) came out aggressive and pinned Jason Kuthemei with 49 seconds left in the first period.
Leading just 13-12, the Bears put the match away with 18 straight points over the next three bouts. David Daniels won by fall over Northeastern's Ken Stokley at 135 with just seconds left in the first period. New Bern's Vernon Harris kept his undefeated record (29-0) intact with an injury default over Tarrance Santos at 140. The final blow came at 145 when New Bern's Andy Kemske pinned Tyree Sutton with 27 seconds left in the first period.
New Bern, which is usually a power in wrestling, has two feeder programs from Craven County's two junior high schools. Northeastern has no such feeder program. The wrestlers that come to Herman Little's program are green. Little, the head coach at Northeastern, would like to see that change.
``We're doing really well for not having a feeder program. We're hoping to get one in the near future,'' he said.
Even though his squad was superior, New Bern head coach Tom Marsh said Northeastern has improved.
``This is by far the best Northeastern team I've seen in my eight years of coaching at New Bern,'' Marsh said.
With a little envy in his eye, Little said the Eagles have seen New Bern, the acknowledged leader in the Big East Conference, several times in tournaments this year. ``Usually they end up first or second while we've ended up fourth or fifth,'' he said. ``I still believe we have a shot at the conference. We've got the closest program to being able to take them out.''
Rob Eckerfield (14-0) kept his record unblemished for Northeastern with a forfeit win at 103. Mike Davis (152) also had a fall for Northeastern.
The Eagles wrestle at home against Rocky Mount on Jan. 20. by CNB