THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 1997 TAG: 9702120805
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 54 lines
While the area's district tournaments should fill gymnasiums across South Hampton Roads this week, some of the most competitive wrestling will take place behind closed doors as teams finalize their lineups.
At top-ranked Cox, Jeff Kramer has won the 145-pound slot, leaving Bryce Lee and Will Lewis to wrestle off at 152. The loser likely will end up at 160.
Kramer, a defending district champion, missed a big chunk of the season with a hole in his esophagus and a viral infection, coach Joe Boone said. But Kramer responded well to drug therapy and is 13-3 overall and 6-0 since returning to the lineup after the Virginia Duals.
``I'm surprised he was able to return based on what we thought the illness was,'' Boone said. ``But once he came back I'm not surprised at how well he's doing.''
Two spots are up for grabs at Great Bridge. Jason Honaker (103) and Trey Wilson (140) each took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series against Brad Davenport and Phillip Graham, respectively.
BIGGER IS BETTER: The Eastern District tournament takes on added legitimacy this season with the addition of the Portsmouth schools. In some instances in the past, wrestlers could qualify for the region without winning a match in the district tournament.
The tournament still will be held in one day, unlike the Beach and Southeastern districts, which are stretched over two days.
``The district asked us to do it because it will save about $600,'' Lake Taylor coach Russell Flynn said.
The compact format, which puts a premium on conditioning, should favor Lake Taylor.
``We've wrestled 27 matches - nobody else is close - and I feel like we're in the best shape we've been in,'' Flynn said. ``Also, weigh-in is at 7 a.m. and we've done that four or five times.''
SHOWDOWN REVISITED: The 28-28 tie between Great Bridge and Western Branch last Saturday was only the second in the Martin era for the Wildcats. The first occurred against Kellam in 1985 . . . Some states, including Pennsylvania, use criteria to break ties in team scores. Using that system Western Branch would have been the winner, according to Frank Lipoli, media director and high school adviser for the Virginia Duals. Both teams won seven bouts, both had two falls and two major decisions. The Bruins' edge came in time of combined falls. Marqus Edmonds and Marvin Urquhart pinned their opponents in a combined 2:24. Great Bridge's Stacy Woodhouse and Eric Leonard won in a combined 5:06. ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC
AREA RANKINGS
PILOT PICKS
[For a copy of the rankings and picks, see microfilm for this date.]