Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 2, 1992 TAG: 9201030229
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB MCLELLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BOTETOURT WRESTLING COACH GETS A BETTER HOLD ON HIS JOB
Mark Agner has brought much enthusiasm and excitement to the successful wrestling program at Lord Botetourt High School in his eight years as coach.But this year is something special. He is teaching at the school.
Previously, Agner taught physical education at Botetourt Intermediate School.
"You don't know what a difference this makes," Agner said. "It is pretty hard to coach a sport at one school when you are teaching at another. This is especially hard in a sport like wrestling.
"Now I can walk down the halls with my athletes and do a lot of coaching. I can see what they are doing in class and talk to them about their concerns, on and off the mat."
Agner is not the only Botetourt official pleased with the teaching change.
"Mark has been a real asset to our school," said Charles VanLear, assistant principal. "We have been waiting for years to get an opening on our faculty. When one came open this year, we jumped at the chance to get him.
"Mark is one of those teachers who goes the extra mile for his kids. He is willing to do all he can to help them and the entire school. He has a great deal of interest and enthusiasm in anything he does and it rubs off on the student body."
Agner, who has always had winners in the Botetourt wrestling program, won Group AA Blue Ridge District titles in 1988 and 1989. His '88 team was unbeaten in the regular season.
His winnings date back to the days when he wrestled at 119 pounds for Larry Hall at Northside High. He continued at The Citadel, where he wrestled for the legendary Ken Shelton, who once coached at Northside and is credited with bringing recognition to the sport in the Roanoke Valley.
After graduation from The Citadel in 1978, Agner coached at James Island High School in Charleston, S.C., where he won a state Class 4-A championship and was second four times.
Agner came to Botetourt in 1983 and adopted the same psychology that he learned under Hall and Shelton.
"We try to outwork our opponents," Agner explained. "All things being equal, we like to think we can be in better condition and do the little things that win close matches. Wrestling is a sport where you must have confidence in your own ability and in what you are doing."
Agner has produced many top individuals. One of the best is Bryan Anderson, a 152-pound senior, who has been a winner for three seasons.
"Coach Agner is a super coach," Anderson said. "He makes you really understand the sport. He is a good technician, and he makes you want to do the things that help you win. He gets along real well with all of his athletes and he cares about them on and off the mats. He makes you do everything you can to win for him."
Another big Agner booster is Hall, who also is president of the Roanoke Valley Wrestling Officials Association.
"Mark was an ideal athlete to coach," said Hall. "He was ready to do anything he could to win. He accepted any challenge you put in his way. He never shied off from anything. He was just a model for all the other squad members.
"As a coach he is the same way. He will fight for his kids and back them in anything - in wrestling and in their personal life. He takes pride in his personal appearance and his habits. All of this rubs off on his athletes. There should be more coaches like him in any sport."
Agner said his present Botetourt squad has the potential to be his best. There are many proven winners and those who have the potential to be winners.
Anderson is the most experienced athlete. The talented senior has won three straight Blue Ridge and Big Orange titles. He was 24-2 overall last season and placed third in the state.
The other proven stars include junior Dan Sell, who also won a title in the Salem Ironman at 125, up two weight classes from last season; senior Matt Fischer at 135; and senior heavyweight Andy Shields.
Agner had 38 squad members and is quick to point to the work of assistant Gary Snyder. He also appreciates the volunteer help he gets from some former athletes who are living in the area and drop by practices to help with the squad.
"We have a lot of kids who could be winners this season," Agner said. "I have high hopes for this squad . . . and I am most happy to be coaching at the school. It should make a difference."
THE SCHEDULE
Friday - Staunton River in Bedford County meet at Liberty, 6 p.m.
Saturday - Northside Home Quad (Patrick Henry, Magna Vista and a team to be announced), 1 p.m.; Cave Spring at Hermitage Quad; William Fleming at E.C. Glass quad; Franklin County Home Quad (William Byrd, Grundy and Martinsville), 1 p.m.
Monday - Floyd at North Cross, 7:30 p.m.; Glenvar at James River, 7 p.m.
Tuesday - Alleghany at Byrd, 7:30 p.m.; Northside at Salem, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday - Franklin County at Cave Spring, 7:30 p.m.
William Fleming at Pulaski County, 7:30 p.m.