THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 26, 1995 TAG: 9502260223
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: YORKTOWN LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Poquoson may have claimed nine of 13 championship matches Saturday in the Region I wrestling championships at York High School, but what the Islanders didn't win, Nansemond River and Lakeland did.
Nansemond River was runner-up to Poquoson in the team standings to post its highest finish in regional competition. Lakeland was third for its highest finish.
Nansemond River's Grayson Craun and Lakeland's Jonathan Thompson, Ellis Temple and James Temple each posted victories.
Both schools will be well represented at the state tournament, with the top four finishers in each weight class qualified. Nine Warriors and seven Cavaliers will make the trip next weekend.
Craun became Nansemond River's first region champion since 1992 when he decisioned Poquoson's Brad Fitzpatrick, 6-4, in overtime at 145 pounds.
Craun's biggest concern heading into the sudden-death overtime was having the energy to survive.
``I just had to dig deep,'' Craun said. ``I thought I had the advantage on the takedowns . . . so I just did what I could to get some points.''
Craun needed less than 30 seconds to take Fitzpatrick down and win the title.
Possibly the sweetest win came for Thompson, who was kicked out of last year's region tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct and thus stayed home during the state tournament.
``It was meant to be tonight,'' Lakeland head coach Steve Wood said. ``Everything was meant to be. I saw a world of weight lifted off his shoulders when he won here tonight.''
Thompson decisioned Chris Thompson from Poquoson, 5-3.
``It feels great,'' Thompson said. ``It's about time. I'm just anxious to get (to state) and wrestle.''
The Cavaliers came up with two quick wins in the 189-pound and heavyweight classes, which shouldn't have come as any great surprise to Wood. But the fact that Ellis Temple was wrestling with the flu in addition to York's Sinque Holmes and needed just 1:32 to pin him, was a bit of a shock.
``We had been saying all week long that Ellis was going to go three rounds with this guy,'' Wood said. ``When he got the flu we didn't know what to expect when he walked onto the mat.
``I'm not surprised he won that quick because I know he can do it. I'm surprised he was able to do it tonight.''
James Temple needed just 1:02 to down Bruton's Bill Barton for the heavyweight title.
Craun, his brother Whitney, Sam Tep, Michael Merrell, Clay Strickland, Jon Goodrich, Damon Hill, Roger Carpenter and Ian Green will all represent the Warriors at the state tournament.
Thompson, the Temples, Mike Sheline, Jarvis Boone and Jeremy and Robert Guinn will make the trip for Lakeland. by CNB