THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 17, 1996 TAG: 9602170488
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Great Bridge moved well on its way to a 12th straight Southeastern District wrestling championship Friday night. The Wildcats qualified 11 for the championship round, building up a 92-point lead over Western Branch.
Great Bridge, the state dual meet champion, registered 198 points. Western Branch, advancing five to the title matches, totaled 106.
Despite a heavy snow, the gym was nearly filled with spectators. A decision will be made at 9 a.m. today if the wrestling will be moved to Monday due to weather conditions. If the regular schedule prevails, fifth-place matches will start at 2 p.m. and the championship bouts will be at 7 p.m.
Six defending champions are seeking to repeat but two have been dethroned. Great Bridge's Bruce Fowler, a winner at 112 last year and now at 119, was pinned in the semifinals by Churchland's Tiree Murphy. Murphy, defending champ at 119, will go against Western Branch's Richard Slocum in what should be one of the best finals.
Cory Bauswell of Western Branch, the 160 winner last year, dropped an 11-4 decision to Churchland's Orlando Morton. Morton will face Great Bridge's Jason Byrum in a battle between the area's 1-2 ranked 160-pounders.
Western Branch's Sean Sanderlin, No. 1 in the area at 152, will oppose No. 2 ranked Michael Harper of Great Bridge. In last year's 145 showdown, Sanderlin pinned Harper in 2:46. by CNB