THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 17, 1995 TAG: 9502160110
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
CHRIS POSTON DOESN'T make a lot of noise about his wrestling abilities.
Kempsville coach Tim Spruill wishes he did.
But as is, Spruill would still take a workout room full of guys like his senior.
``He isn't the strongest kid and he isn't a really great athlete. He doesn't jump up and take charge or anything,'' Spruill said. ``But if I could have 13 guys who work as hard as he does, we'd be awesome.''
Even though he isn't the boisterous type, Poston is somewhat of a leader by example.
In his first year of varsity competition last season, Poston came out on top of the Beach District at 160. He managed to finish second in the Eastern Region and moved on to the state meet.
Now at 171, he has hopes of capturing a second district title when the Beach District tournament begins at 4 p.m. today at Green Run High.
``And I want to win the region,'' he said. ``It's going to be hard, but I think I have the stuff to do it.''
Entering the district meet with a 17-4 record, two of Poston's losses have come at the hands of the area's top two wrestlers - Deep Creek's Ryan Baker and Great Bridge's Joey Guth. But Poston beat Guth earlier this season.
``I want to improve on everything I did last year and this is the time to do it,'' Poston said. ``I think I can win the district, although the guy at Salem is pretty good. I think I can improve on second in the region, too. I beat Guth and I think I can do it again if I stick to my game plan.''
That's another thing Spruill likes about Poston - his ability to take direction and improve on it.
``I just do what coach tells me in the room, and I do it more than he tells me to,'' Poston said. ``I have a plan for each wrestler and I pay attention to what coach tells me to do during the match.''
What Poston does is no secret. With long arms, he likes to shoot a half and turn his opponents. Spruill said he's best in the superior (on top) position. Because he is tall and lanky with big hands, many wrestlers in his class have trouble with him.
``He just gets in there with those big hands and cranks them over with the half,'' Spruill said. ``He's not really all that strong or fast. But he's wiry and long and he gets those big hands in there and it's over if he gets it on you.''
Poston has proven over the years he is devoted to wrestling, dropping football after getting cut his first year of junior high.
``I just decided to spend more time with the sport I like the best,'' he said. ``I liked the one-on-one aspect of wrestling when I watched my first match. You win, you win. You lose, you lose. It's that simple.''
Poston takes his work ethic outside the Kempsville mat room and puts in plenty of time in the offseason going to camps and staying in shape. While no colleges are beating down the door to offer him a scholarship, Poston hopes to be able to continue to wrestle.
His attitude about things won't hurt his chances.
``I'm just an average wrestler. I'm no better than anybody else,'' Poston said. ``I just do certain things at certain times and it seems to work for me.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
In his first year of varsity competition last season, Chris Poston
came out on top of the Beach District at 160. Now at 171 pounds, he
hopes to add a second district title, as well as region and state
crowns.
BEACH DISTRICT MEET
What: Individual portion of postseason competition with wrestlers
from all 10 schools looking to advance to Eastern Region
individuals.
When: Preliminaries begin at 4 p.m. today, followed by
quarterfinals at 5 p.m., and consolations at 7:30 p.m.. Semifinals
begin at 8 p.m. Consolation quarterfinals begin at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, with consolation semifinals at 3:30 p.m. Fifth- and
sixth-place matches are scheduled for 6 p.m., while third- and
fourth-place matches are at 6:45 p.m.. The championship round will
be at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Green Run High both days.
Admission: $3 per session (there are four) for adults, $1.50 for
children 6-11. A pass for all four sessions is $7.
by CNB