THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, November 15, 1995           TAG: 9511150360
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Medium:   60 lines

4 AREA COACHES ARE HONORED BY NATIONAL HALL

Four of the area's leading coaching figures were honored for a lifetime of service to the sport by the Virginia Chapter of National Wrestling Hall of Fame Tuesday at Lake Wright Resort and Convention Center.

The four - Lake Taylor's Russell Flynn, former Cox coach Billy Gutermuth, former Old Dominion coach Thomas Merrill ``Pete'' Robinson and Norman Thacker of the Hampton Youth Program - were presented Lifetime Service Awards by the Hall. Permanent plaques recognizing the coaches will be displayed in the national museum in Stillwater, Okla.

``I'm numb,'' Flynn said. ``You look around at all the people here, and it's like a who's who of wrestling. So many of these people should be getting this ahead of me. To get an honor like this is just unbelievable.''

Flynn, who will take a 140-32 lifetime record into the 1995-96 season, has also coached several youth programs and has been active in organizing and directing numerous tournaments.

Flynn took particular pride in being inducted with Robinson, his former coach.

``It's like being honored with your father,'' Flynn said.

Gutermuth, regarded as one of the area's top technical instructors, directed three state championship teams with the Falcons. His wrestlers won 16 state titles and six high school All-America honors, and Gutermuth himself was a former state champion at Granby and an NAIA champion at Lycoming College.

``So many of the people in this room are responsible for what's happening here for me,'' Gutermuth said as he looked out at the banquet crowd of 270. ``I'm glad they're all here.''

Robinson's 26-year tenure with the Monarchs included the development of 12 Division II All-Americans and four Division I All-Americans. His 1981-82 squad captured the NCAA East Region crown and sent four wrestlers to the NCAA championships.

``I only wish some of the younger kids were here,'' said the 74-year-old Robinson, who was raised in a Mississippi orphanage. ``I'd like to let 'em know that no matter where you come from, you can make it.

``This makes everything I've done seem worthwhile.''

Although he never wrestled in an official match, Thacker has coached over 2,000 wrestlers in the Hampton Youth Program. ILLUSTRATION: ``Pete''

Robinson

Russell

Flynn

Norman

Thacker

Billy

Guttermuth

by CNB