THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 19, 1995 TAG: 9501190521
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Second-ranked Western Branch clinched a spot in the Eastern Region Duals wrestling tournament by pounding No. 9 Deep Creek, 45-24, Wednesday night at Western Branch.
The Bruins improved to 13-0 with the victory, which ensured them no worse than a second-place finish in the Southeastern District. And the ease with which they put the Hornets away Wednesday gave the Bruins hope that a victory over top-ranked rival Great Bridge in the teams' regular-season finale Jan. 28 is far from out of the question.
``Anything's possible,'' Western Branch coach Terry Perdew said.
``If our young guys come through, we definitely have a chance,'' 103-pounder Lee Butler said.
The Hornets (5-6) also appeared to have a chance going into Wednesday's match, despite having a hole at 112. Deep Creek's strategy was simple - stay within shouting distance until 171, then look for big points from top-ranked Ryan Baker (171), Doug Norris (189) and Thomas Rapier (275).
Those three wrestlers came through, as they combined for 18 of Deep Creek's 24 points. But by the time Baker stepped on the mat, the Hornets were too far behind for it to make any difference.
Butler, top-ranked at 103, put the Hornets in trouble quickly with a fall over Sonny Sigda.
``I really wanted to get the pin to set the tone,'' Butler said.
The Hornets' forfeit at 112 and decisions by Richard Slocumb, James Surace and Matt Peppers boosted the Bruins' lead to 22-0 heading into the 135-pound match.
Deep Creek's second-ranked David Gwaltney briefly turned things around by pinning Brian Smith at 135. But Western Branch's Brian Clemmons answered with a 1:21 pin of William Royster to ``slam the door.''
``I just shot my shot, hopped over and snapped him back,'' Clemmons said. ``Once I got him down, I knew it was over.''
So was the team match. The Hornets forfeited to No. 1 Sean Sanderlin at 145, then watched the Bruins' top-ranked Byron Tucker pin Joe Verdi in 3:01 at 152.
In other matches:
Cox 34, Salem 18: Top-ranked heavyweight Brian Wilson improved to 20-0 by winning a technical fall as the No. 3 Falcons won a meeting of ranked Beach District teams. Cox 140-pounder Jesse Correll, ranked third, also scored a technical fall. Correll is 12-3.
Great Bridge 50, Lake Taylor 12: The top-ranked Wildcats lost both matches pitting ranked opponents, but nine of the remaining 11 bouts to roll past No. 4 Titans. Top-ranked Joe Jimenez of Lake Taylor beat No. 2 Travis Woodhouse, 8-5, in a 130-pound match. At 112, The Titans' No. 3 Donnie Jimenez upended No. 2 Bruce Fowler, 15-11.
Billy Allred (No. 1, 160), Josh Fannon (No. 1, 189), Aaron Anton (No. 2, 103) and Christian Basnight (No. 2, 152) registered pins.
Lake Taylor 45, Oscar Smith 24: Baker and Donnie and Joel Jimenez had pins for the No. 4 Titans.
Oscar Smith 51, Churchland 24: Cameron Midgette (No. 1, 140) and Anwar Sparrow (189) won by fall for the Tigers (10-5, 4-3 Southeastern).
Kempsville 48, Bayside 24: Andy Nelligar (No. 3, 130) and Kris Poston (No. 2, 171) registered pins for the No. 9 Chiefs.
Wilson 43, Cape Henry 24: Steve Rahimpour defeated Robert Gautreaux, 11-6, in the clinching 152-pound match for the Presidents (11-5). by CNB