THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 14, 1994 TAG: 9409140621
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Norfolk State freshman Anthony Edwards, who placed third in the Virginia Group AAA wrestling tournament last March for Marshall High School and had planned to walk onto the wrestling team this fall, died last week from an asthma attack while working out.
Edwards, who had been cleared to wrestle by Norfolk State physicians, was jogging by himself near the school Friday when the attack occurred.
``He appeared to be doing everything he was supposed to do (for his asthma),'' Spartans wrestling coach Jackson Gerst said. ``He'd always have his (inhaler) with him.
``He was a determined, organized young man. I really thought he was going to have a spot on our team.''
Wrestling practice at Norfolk State begins in October.
Edwards compiled a 24-4 record at 130-pounds for Marshall last season and won the Northern Region title. He dropped a 10-6 decision to Salem's Celso Garcia in the second round of the state tournament, but regrouped and won four straight matches to finish third. Edwards outlasted Green Run's Ben Pratt, 12-11, in the third-place match for his 100th career victory. by CNB