THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506070198
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
The Mustang Wrestling Club at Wilson High School hopes to make its presence known in the Commonwealth Games this weekend.
The MWC is taking nine wrestlers in the Cadet and Junior Divisions and 10 Pee Wees to the mat competition on Saturday and Sunday at Fort Lee in Petersburg.
The club recently celebrated its fifth birthday, and nobody is more excited about its future than those who have steered it along since its inception - Wilson wrestling coach Tony Reynolds and his brother, Gaskins. Fred Salanitro joined in three years ago.
``I promised when I became the wrestling coach here (at Manor before the school consolidated with Wilson) that I would develop a program, not a team,'' said Tony Reynolds.
Now Reynolds is expanding a summer wrestling program the club offers to anyone desiring to participate. In addition to weekly sessions each Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. in the Wilson gym, the Mustang Wrestling Club plans similar sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Effingham YMCA.
``We have wrestlers from the little ones, starting at age 4, to one who is 70 years old,'' Reynolds said. ``We have other high school coaches assisting us now and former high school wrestlers coming out to help.''
The wrestling club operates through August.
In the recent Bayside Invitational, four of the MWC wrestlers won medals.
Several members of the Wilson team are among those using workout sessions at the club to improve their skills. These include Chris Lewis, who compiled a 22-4 record as a 112-pounder for the Presidents the past season. Another is Andre Johnson, a 135-pounder who lost only to Chesapeake wrestlers a year ago.
Wilson freshman Anthony Ng, who won a silver medal at Bayside, is a 103-pounder who is viewed as a coming standout by Reynolds.
``We're just as proud of the academic advancement as the wrestling progress they are making,'' added Reynolds. He pointed at 130-pounder Billy Mick, who will be a sophomore at Wilson next year.
``When he started he was average in wrestling and average in the classroom. He was a C student. Now he is making As and Bs and he will be a very good 130-pounder.
``Our group of little guys is really something, too'' added Reynolds. ``We know they will do well in the State Games.''
Among those standouts are a pair of 10-year-olds, Jonathan Jones and Darnell Barnwell. Jones weighs 68. Barnwell tips the scales at 72.
Reynolds said Salanitro has been a valuable addition in developing the club.
``He brought in the support of the Booster Club, which helps us offset expenses of those who need help. We have some kids from disadvantaged homes. And this enables us to bring in anyone who would like to participate. Nobody is turned away.''
Salanitro said the Mustang Wrestling Booster Club is a chartered organization with 16 current members.
The club presents an award each year to the Wilson Athlete of the Year. It went to track star LaTasha Colander in 1993 and to softball star Leslie Livesay in 1994.
``We also offer $500 academic and athletic scholarships and recognize youngsters who make the honor roll by giving small awards such as movie tickets.''
``This year the Wilson team had its first win over a Chesapeake school and we're expecting more,'' Reynolds said.
``The wrestling club helps us to get to the kids early and bring them along.
``And we can see how much it means to so many of the youngsters.
``That's the reward you get from being a coach. There certainly are no financial rewards.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by GARY C. KNAPP
Gaskins Reynolds, far fight, watches his brother, Wilson coach Tony
Reynolds, teach Anthony Ng some moves, while others, at left,
practice what they've learned.
Gaskins Reynolds coaches 10-year-olds Darnell Barnwell, left, and
Jonathan Jones.
by CNB