THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 3, 1995 TAG: 9502030630
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Long : 126 lines
For a Group AAA state heavyweight champion who is the odds-on favorite to become the first man to defend that title since Norview's Ken Whitley in 1961-62, Cox's Brian Wilson sure doesn't take anything for granted.
To Wilson, everyone and everything is ``tough.'' A framed copy of last season's state championship draw hangs in his living room, and as Wilson recounted each of his matches, he'd preface his remark by saying, ``Now this was a tough match.''
Lake Taylor heavyweight Brad Vera, ranked second to Wilson in the area? ``He's tough,'' Wilson said. Kempsville's Kevin Eaton, who gave Wilson trouble in an 8-3 loss earlier this season? ``That's a tough wrestler right there.''
And on remaining undefeated through the district, regional and state tournaments? ``Well, it's going to be tough, but . . . ''
This attitude has helped Wilson avoid the complacency that can sidetrack defending champions. He'll take a 20-0 record and 41-match winning streak into tonight's Eastern Region Duals Championships at Lake Taylor.
Now, all he has to do is accept a scholarship from one of several schools bidding for his services.
How tough can that be?
Thanks to his love for football, very tough.
Wilson has been a very good high school football player, a solid force at defensive end on an otherwise sieve-like Falcons defense. But as a wrestler, he's being hailed as one of the best and most athletic heavyweights ever to come out of South Hampton Roads.
Top Division I colleges covet Wilson the wrestler, not the football player. But if a school doesn't want him as a football player, it probably won't get him at all.
``I really can't see myself giving up either sport,'' the Cox senior said. ``But I'm definitely going to be playing football somewhere next year.''
So, at a time when high school athletes across the country are scribbling their names on college letters of intent, Wilson waits while he weighs his college football goals against the prospects of wrestling among the nation's elite.
``It's a tough decision,'' he said.
Up until recently, it didn't appear wrestling in college would be much of an issue for Wilson. In his first two years in the sport (seventh and eighth grade), he couldn't even crack the starting lineup at Great Neck Middle School.
But a year later, he became a middle schools city champion. Two years after that, he was the best heavyweight in the state.
``When I started, I was just kind of out there, not taking it too seriously,'' Wilson said. ``But then I started really getting into it. I've put a lot of time in, and I guess it's paid off.''
Wilson's state championship victory - a 5:13 pin over Kellam's Jason Wyss - avenged his only defeat in 29 matches last season. But perhaps the most revealing image of Wilson at that tournament came 15 minutes before the final, when he entertained four young children while warming up for the biggest match of his life.
``It was amazing,'' Cox coach Jud Stokes said. ``But it tells you a lot about Brian. As good a wrestler as he is, he's an even better person.''
Wilson passes credit for his success around liberally, from former Cox coach Gary Hartranft and Virginia cadet team coach Dave Bridger to current Falcons' coach Stokes. According to Stokes, however, no coach can take credit for some of the things the 6-2, 225-pound Wilson does on a mat.
``His athleticism is just incredible,'' Stokes said. ``On his feet, his low leg attacks are as quick as any lightweight. And he's probably even more dangerous on bottom, where he's able to scramble and come out on top. He's just been blessed with the ability to do things you can't teach.''
This season, Stokes has showcased his star, first in a tournament in wrestling-mad Pennsylvania, where Wilson pounded four opponents, and then at the Virginia Duals, where he whipped another.
As a result, the name Wilson is a hot one in college wrestling circles. He said Penn State, one of the top five teams in the country, has offered him a wrestling scholarship. No. 7 Oklahoma may do the same.
``Brian can get a full ride practically anywhere,'' Stokes said.
As a football player, however, Wilson's options aren't as broad. While coaches note his impressive wingspan, quickness and solid football instincts, they have questions about his speed (4.8 in the 40) and ``tweener'' status at 225 pounds.
James Madison has expressed interest, and, now that head coach Rip Scherer has moved to the University of Memphis, that school likes him, too. He has visited East Carolina, and he was in the stands last fall at Boston College when the Eagles humiliated Notre Dame.
Interest has also been stirred at Virginia Tech. But while teams of this caliber are intrigued by Wilson as a football player, they're not infatuated.
``Everybody wants to date him, but nobody's ready to marry yet,'' said Ocean Lakes coach Jim Prince, who coached Wilson through his junior year and is helping him through the recruiting wars.
Several Division I-AA schools would sign him today if they could. But Wilson wants a crack at the highest level of football possible. Complicating matters is the NCAA rule that mandates any wrestling scholarship Wilson acquired would have to be converted to football if Wilson made the team in that sport, too. For example, if he took Penn State's offer to wrestle and subsequently made the football team, his scholarship would be counted against Joe Paterno's allotment.
So far, Paterno isn't ready to go for that.
``I just found out about it,'' Wilson said. ``That's going to make things tough.''
Factor in Wilson's academic interests - he'd like to major in engineering - and it's easy to understand why he has more on his mind than pinning his next opponent.
``The one reason we're not panicking over all this is because Brian's going to be successful no matter what he chooses,'' Cox football coach Gene Beck said. ``He's just a class guy.''
Besides, with so much going for him, Wilson almost certainly will wind up at a good school. What remains to be seen is how much - if anything - he's willing to give up to get there. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
Brian Wilson, who leads his teammates during practice, has been
offered a wrestling scholarship from Penn State - one of the top
five teams in the country
Photo
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
Defending state heavyweight champion Brian Wilson grapples with
sophomore Steve Mings during practice at Cox High.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE BIOGRAPHY WRESTLING by CNB