THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090514
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Great Bridge's Carl Perry, whose wrestling talent and in-your-face style terrorized all comers during a 42-0 state championship season a year ago, will sign a letter-of-intent today to attend the University of Illinois.
The Fighting Illini, a Big Ten doormat a few years ago, finished seventh in the nation last season and had two national champions, the most of any school. Illinois is currently ranked 11th.
``It's a good program and they've got good intensity,'' Perry said.
Illinois coach Mark Johnson, a former Iowa assistant, coached Great Bridge coach Steve Martin for the Hawkeyes. He was also best man at Martin's wedding July 1, which coincidentally was the first day coaches could talk to recruits.
But Martin said Perry's talent, not connections, are what piqued Johnson's interest. The real eye-opener came last summer, when Perry went 9-1 and placed third at 123 pounds in the USA Wrestling Junior Nationals. Amateur Wrestling News has Perry ranked third in the country at 126 in its high school wrestling report.
Perry, whose only other visit was to Virginia Tech, has met the academic guidelines for freshman eligibility but said he plans to redshirt his first year.
SALEM'S KING TO COLO. COLLEGE: Salem girls basketball standout Kelly King has accepted a full scholarship to play at Division II Adams State College in Colorado.
The 5-foot10 King, a second team All-Tidewater selection, averaged 12 points, five rebounds and three assists per game for the Sun Devils.
``I wanted to go back to Colorado with my family,'' said King, who also made a visit to Northeastern and had a home visit from the Lehigh coach. ``I was born there and lived most of my life there. ILLUSTRATION: Carl Perry
by CNB