THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501150249
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Western Branch evoked memories of some of its more powerful teams in recent years Saturday with a dominating showing during the ``Battle of the Best'' segment of the Virginia Duals.
Despite wrestling with seven freshmen, the third-ranked Bruins wrestled like veterans in punishing both Denbigh (36-19) and Gloucester (43-16).
The Patriots and Dukes are the top two teams in the Peninsula District and will wrestle to determine that league's regular-season champion Wednesday.
``We've got a young squad, but they're coming in every day and learning more technique,'' Western Branch junior Sean Sanderlin said. ``I'm really proud of them.''
Sanderlin had a lot to be proud of, too. The area's top-ranked 145-pounder knocked off two opponents to run his record to 21-1.
One of Sanderlin's victories was marred a fit of unsportsmanlike conduct by Gloucester's Beau Dickerson, who initiated a silly slapfight trailing by a point with seconds to go. Dickerson was disqualified, and his antics cost the Dukes two team points.
Misconduct cost Denbigh three points in its two matches.
The Bruins' other top-ranked wrestler, 152-pounder Byron Tucker, was his usual dominating self, as he whipped up two technical falls to improve to 23-0.
``But I didn't pin anybody,'' Tucker said with a smile. ``I probably disappointed some people.''
Second-ranked Cox, wrestling short-handed, didn't fare as well as the Bruins. The Falcons dropped a 36-27 decision to Gloucester before regrouping and taking out Denbigh, 34-20.
Top-ranked Cox heavyweight Brian Wilson, one of the most attractive seniors for college recruiters, notched a second-period pin in addition to receiving a forfeit.
DUALS NOTES: Duals officials announced Saturday that next year's event will feature a 16-team national high school tournament and additional eight-team tournaments. The new format will be run on six mats over the two days. Event coordinator Frank Lipoli said the Duals will try to attract the top teams in the country for the national tournament. Line Mountain (Pa.) and Parkersburg South (W.Va.), by reaching Saturday's final, received invitations for next year's event. . . . In what will become an annual event at the Virginia Duals, three individuals were inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. This year's honorees: John Epperly, whose 27 years as a wrestling coach includes eight undefeated seasons and three state titles at Robinson; Paul Labazzetta, who entered the 1994-95 season with 263 career victories in 22 years of coaching at W.T. Woodson; and Stephan Sabo, a coach for 26 years and the head of the 1984 freestyle junior world team which won seven gold medals. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
LAWRENCE JASCKSON/Staff
Navy's Alex Garcia gets some lift on Illinois' Eric Siebert in a
college consolation-round match of the Virginia Duals Saturday.
Minnesota won the college division of the event for the third
straight year.
by CNB