THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501220266
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Fifth-ranked Tallwood clinched the school's first berth in the Eastern Region duals wrestling tournament by knocking off No. 6 Salem and No. 9 Kempsville during a tri-meet Saturday at Tallwood.
The two victories ensured the Lions (11-2, 8-0 in the Beach District) no worse than second place in the area's most competitive district. The top two teams from each of the region's four district qualify for the tournament, to be held Feb. 3-4 at Lake Taylor.
But that wasn't enough for the Lions, who immediately began focusing on dumping second-ranked Cox - also unbeaten in the Beach - and capturing the league title outright when the teams meet Saturday at Cox.
``We're not satisfied,'' Tallwood coach Don Robertson said. ``And we're not going to be satisfied unless we're number one by ourselves.''
``One more to go, fellas!'' Tallwood 189-pounder John Vann exclaimed.
Vann, a state placewinner a year ago who took the mat Saturday for the first time since sustaining an injury in the Lions' season-opener Dec. 2, came up big in both Tallwood victories. In the Lions' 32-22 victory over Salem, Vann outdueled second-ranked Daemon Schultz, 7-6, to provide the clincher.
Vann was more emphatic in closing out Kempsville's upset bid, as he pinned Brandon Reed in 23 seconds.
The Lions also got first-period pins from 140-pounder Lamont Mosley and 160-pounder Chris Brashers against Kempsville, victories which offset solid efforts by the Chiefs in the lighter weights. Kempsville led, 11-10, through 135.
But Mosley's 1:40 fall over Todd Vidal at 140 put the Lions ahead to stay. Pinnell Parker's 4-3 decision over Daniel Achurra at 145 pulled the Chiefs to within two, but the Lions' Joe Kerr scored a major decision over Richard Madson at 152 to give Tallwood breathing room.
A Chiefs' victory would have kept them in the running for a playoff bid, which would have been a stunning accomplishment since Kempsville has competed this season with state qualifier Chris Gorman (elected not to wrestle) and regional qualifier Mike Pishioneri (injury).
The Chiefs (9-4, 8-2) opened their day Saturday with a 35-26 victory over Salem.
Kevin Richardson (103), Andee Nelligar (130), Greg Neal (135), second-ranked Kris Poston (171) and Kevin Eaton (275) each went unbeaten on the day for Kempsville.
The Sun Devils reach the state duals tournament last season and began the week unbeaten in the district, but have now lost three in a row.
In those matches, top-ranked Chip Reyes (119), second-ranked Ramon Copeland (125), Anthony Fradillada (160) and Schultz have a combined record of 11-1. The rest of the team has gone 5-22. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
JIM WALKER/Staff
Kempsville's Chris Gee, top, works on Salem's Gabe Cudal in their
112-pound match Saturday, won by Gee.
by CNB