THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 27, 1995 TAG: 9501260166
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Saturday's Beach District wrestling championship shapes up on paper to be one of the wrestling wars of old - like those Cox and Kempsville had in the 1980s.
And the outcome of this Cox-Tallwood matchup is a tossup.
When the Falcons host the Lions at 7:30 p.m., it will be for all the marbles. Both teams enter with 8-0 district records. With the Eastern Region duals set for Feb. 3 at Lake Taylor, winning the district title means not having to face defending Group AAA champion Great Bridge in the opening round.
``That's very important,'' Tallwood coach Don Robertson said. ``I'm sure we're both telling our kids the same thing. I'm sure we're both hoping it motivates them.''
But neither team should be in need of any more motivation.
``Last year, there was a four-way tie and who was the best wasn't clear cut,'' Cox coach Jud Stokes said. ``While this isn't as big as, say, the state championship, it is the Beach District title and the winner will be outright.''
But who's going to win is anybody's guess and neither coach is very sure. They have both gone over the match a hundred times in their heads and on paper, and the only thing they're sure of is that it will be very, very close.
``The way I see it, there are eight matches I can predict and we'll each win four of them,'' Robertson said. ``That leaves five in question and the team that can win at least three of them should win.''
``I did the same thing, but mine is a little different,'' countered Stokes. ``I think less matches are predictable.
``And who knows, they could have the greatest match of their lives and really whip us. And he knows we could do the same thing.''
Upsets, both coaches say, will play a major role.
No weight classes will feature matchups of area ranked wrestlers, but Cox features defending state heavyweight champion Brian Wilson. If the match comes down to heavyweight, give Cox the victory.
Tallwood features state runner-up Mike Mercado at 112.
In the past, such a match at Cox would favor the Falcons. The atmosphere at Cox, with the lone hanging mat light, and big, vocal crowds have been things that helped push Cox to victory.
The the cable holding the light is broken, so the regular lights will be turned on. And disappointing to Stokes is the fact that home crowds haven't been what they used to be.
``Before, I'd say the home mat would be an advantage,'' he said. ``But I'm saddened to say that the number of people coming out has been very poor. Tallwood will have just as many people in the gym, and without the atmosphere that was ours, it's going to be like wrestling at a neutral site.'' ILLUSTRATION: COX VS. TALLWOOD
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Cox High
At stake: The Beach District championship. Both teams enter the
season dual finale with 8-0 district records.
THE LINEUPS
[For a list of the lineups, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB