THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 1996 TAG: 9603200648
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
South Hampton Roads, a bit player on the national college wrestling scene since the demise of the great Granby High program almost 25 years ago, finally may be inching its way out of obscurity.
Nine wrestlers who competed at area high schools - and a 10th who will represent Old Dominion - will be in action during the NCAA championships beginning Thursday at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Two years ago, only four of 315 NCAA qualifiers hailed from Hampton Roads.
``We usually only have three or four, so nine is a pretty strong number and it shows a lot about this area,'' said Great Bridge's Wayne Martin, whose father, Bill Sr., coached nine wrestlers who went on to win national titles during his 22-year run at Granby. ``I think we're getting more of our kids into quality, Division I programs, and the kids are winning.
``The question now is, can they place? You start getting a bunch of All-Americans coming out of here, and that's really a sign that you've come full circle.''
The seven wrestlers from area high schools who qualified for last year's NCAAs all lost their first match. Old Dominion's Jody Staylor, formerly of Great Bridge, was the last area wrestler to place at nationals. Staylor was a runner-up at 126 in 1994.
South Hampton Roads hasn't had a national champion since Norview's Wayne Boyd won it all in 1969.
This year's best candidates for top-eight finishes appear to be Old Dominion heavyweight Nick Hall, Cornell 190-pounder Carlos Eason and Oklahoma 158-pounder Byron Tucker.
The unbeaten Hall, formerly of Longwood High in Middle Island, N.Y., placed fifth a year ago and all three are ranked nationally in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association/Amateur Wrestling News poll.
The Hampton Roads contingent:
CHRIS VIOLA Weight: 118. High school: Western Branch. College: Michigan. Class: Freshman (redshirt) Record: 18-10.
Notable: Placed fifth in the Big Ten (top six from that conference are automatic NCAA qualifiers) . . . The only freshman among the Wolverines' six qualifiers . . . Wasn't a starter when the season began, then suffered a slight knee injury but came on to go 5-0 in conference dual matches and took a six-bout winning streak into the Big Ten tournament before losing, 6-1, to Iowa's Mike Mena, the nation's top-ranked 118-pounder . . . Group AAA state champion at 119 in 1994.
AARON MICKIEWICZ Weight: 126. High school: Green Run. College: VMI. Class: Junior. Record: 18-4.
Notable: Failed to make the All-Southern Conference team, but was named the most outstanding wrestler of the conference tournament after taking the 126-pound class with a 3-2 victory over three-time champion and nationally ranked David Barden of Tennessee-Chattanooga . . . Making second NCAA appearance.
ADAM MICKIEWICZ Weight: 134. High school: Kellam. College: VMI. Class: Jr. Record: 21-2.
Notable: Southern Conference champion at 134 . . . Will be making second NCAA tournament appearance . . . gained notoriety during his senior year in high school when he and twin brother Adam both defaulted the state tournament final rather than face each other . . . Like Aaron, a senior academically. Brothers are undecided on whether they'll return to VMI to wrestle next season.
ERICK SHAW Weight: 134. High school: Indian River. College: Old Dominion. Class: Senior. Record: 28-6.
Notable: Was a runner-up in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, his fourth second-place finish of the season . . . Will appear in the NCAA tournament for the third time . . . Became the fourth ODU wrestler to reach the 100-victory mark when he won in the CAA semifinals.
JASON FORESMAN Weight 142. High school: Cox. College: VMI. Class: Jr. Record: 31-6.
Notable: Southern Conference champion at 142 and the team leader in victories . . . Cracked starting lineup for the first time this season, after backing up All-American Charlie Branch for two seasons . . . Regional Academic All-American, compiled a 4.0 GPA last semester while majoring in civil engineering . . . Praised by coach John Trugdeon as a great scrambler . . . Group AAA state champion at 135 in 1993.
REESE EDGINGTON Weight: 150. High school: Green Run. College: VMI. Class: Jr. Record: 27-9.
Notable: Southern Conference champion at 150 . . . Unbeaten in conference bouts, named to the all-conference team . . . Second to Foresman in victories NCAA tournament appearance.
BYRON TUCKER Weight: 158. High school: Western Branch. College: Oklahoma. Class: Freshman. Record: 24-8.
Notable: The only true freshman among the Sooners' eight NCAA qualifiers . Hardell Mooore, ranked 7th nationally) but recovered to finish third . . . Ranked ninth in the country at 158 . . . Group AAA state champion at 152 in 1995.
ROB BARLOW Weight: 177. High school: Kempsville. College: George Mason. Class: Jr. Record: 27-6
Notable: Finished second in the CAA and will be making second NCAA tournament appearance . . . Won CAA 177-pound crown in 1995 . . . ``I believe he's ready to make an impact,'' says Patriots head coach Brian Shaffer.
CARLOS EASON Weight: 190. High school: Great Bridge. College: Cornell. Class: Jr. Record: 22-3.
Notable: Finished second at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association tournament . . . Finals loss to Lehigh's John Leonardis snapped Eason's 20-bout winning streak . . . ranked 8th in the nation . . . Has been slowed by injuries to both ankles since late January . . . Is making second NCAA tournament appearance.
NICK HALL Weight: Heavyweight. High school: Longwood High, Long Island, N.Y. College: Old Dominion. Class: Senior. Record: 34-0.
Notable: Became Old Dominion's 20th wrestling All-American with a fifth-place finish at last year's NCAA tournament . . . Will be competing in the nationals for the third time . . . Career record: 113-17-3 . . . Has beaten seven NCAA qualifiers this season . . . Ranked 4th in the country. by CNB