THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 5, 1995 TAG: 9503050230
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Until Saturday night, Billy Allred was never known as a leg man.
Allred's strength has always been to wrestle on his feet. In the past, whenever the Great Bridge senior attempted to throw his legs into his repertoire of moves, the result was akin to an experiment gone awry.
``I try to keep him from using his legs because he gets into trouble with them,'' said Wildcats coach Steve Martin. ``That's what cost him the state tournament last year.''
Although using a leg move kept him from placing higher than fifth last season, Allred surprised himself and his opponent by using the same move to perfection in his 14-7 win over Jamie Castro for the Group AAA state 160-pound title.
``The leg moves are what won it for him today. He took a gamble and it paid off,'' said Martin.
Although the results will say that the win over Castro is what gave Allred his long-awaited state title, it was his 15-9 victory over E.C. Glass' Breon Crennel in the semifinals that provided the emotional lift he needed most.
Crennel was responsible for bumping Allred from last year's tournament in the wrestlebacks, scoring five reverses off Allred's flailing, ineffective leg moves.
``I was real tense and tried a few trick holds,'' Allred said.
He was familiar with his opponent in the championship final as well.
Allred (43-2) faced Castro in the Virginia State Duals tournament recently and scored a technical fall over the Centerville senior by picking him up and throwing him to the mat repeatedly.
``This time I reverted to different tactics,'' Allred said. ``I knew his coaches would tell him what to expect me to do.''
True to form, Allred's first attempt at controlling Castro with his legs fell short when he failed to get his foot into the correct position. But Allred didn't abandon the idea.
``I always try something twice. If it didn't work the first time, it might have just been a freak thing,'' Allred said. ``The second time I got my leg in where I wanted it.''
Trailing 6-5 midway through the second period, Allred threw in his leg and took Castro down for two points, then rolled him on his back for a near fall as time expired.
In the third period, Allred executed the move again and had Castro in trouble with 40 seconds left in the match, but had to settle for two back points.
``He was nervous in the beginning, but he got focused half way through the match and that's what turned it around,'' said Martin. ``This makes the tournament for me.''
After last year's disappointing finish, Allred was determined to end his high school career with a flourish. Mobbed by fans and well-wishers after his match Saturday, Allred finally allowed himself to appreciate his accomplishment.
``I was a little worn down in the middle of the season, but I knew this was my last chance,'' he said. ``But I've worked harder than anyone here. I know I have.'' by CNB