THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 11, 1996 TAG: 9601100205
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
When James Temple graduates from Lakeland High in June he plans to attend college and become a pre-med major. He wants to study radiology.
Right now, though, the Cavaliers senior is busy schooling the area's 215-pound wrestlers.
Temple, who carries a 4.19 grade point average and has applied to the University of Virginia, is the top-ranked wrestler at 215 in South Hampton Roads and was 7-1 before the last night's scheduled match against Franklin. Surprisingly, the 6-footer isn't pleased with his performance.
``I don't think I've gotten into the flow of things quite yet,'' said Temple, a Bay Rivers District and Region I champion last season in the heavyweight division. ``I'm not really happy with my wrestling so far. It's not up to par where I think it should be. But I think it will be there by the time we get down to the nitty gritty.''
By ``nitty gritty'' Temple means the state tournament, where he was pinned last year by Grundy's Brandon Stevenson in a semifinal. This season Temple and his coach, Steve Wood, expect a better performance in state competition, partly because of the new 215-pound weight class, added this year by the National Federation of High Schools.
``That's definitely like a prayer answered for (Temple),'' Wood said of the new weight class. ``At times last year (in the heavyweight division) he'd get ahold of 275-pound guys. If he got underneath one of those guys, they'd squash him.
``James is a technique wrestler so when he got in a match (against a much bigger opponent) it slowed him down.''
Temple hasn't shown many signs of slowing down this year. He has five pins and his only loss was a 3-0 decision to Paul Sparzak of Group AAA Midlothian in the Halifax County Christmas Tournament.
``I wasn't happy with that,'' said Temple, who was born in Goldboro, N.C, and moved to Suffolk as a third grader. ``I think it was more of an energy thing (because) it was the first match on the second day. But I'm not trying to make excuses.''
Temple, whose personal best on the bench press is 275 pounds, doesn't plan on making any excuses at this year's state tournament. He said he already started to gain momentum for postseason with a win over Indian River's Antwain Britt, who was a regional qualifier in Group AAA last year.
``(Britt) was laughing and joking around on the sidelines and taking me for a chump,'' said Temple, who came from behind to beat Britt 6-4 in overtime. ``After that I felt like things were coming together. I finally beat somebody who was said to be good.''
Wood said Temple may be excited about following in the footsteps of 160-pounder Jonathan Thompson, who became Lakeland's first state champion last season, but the ``laid-back'' senior isn't showing it.
Temple's reason: ``There's not a whole lot of emotion in me. I just go out there and wrestle.''
Temple said he would probably let off some steam if he wins a state championship. ``It would be worth all the work,'' he said. ``It would feel like you finally completed something you started a long time ago.''
Becoming a state champion isn't the only thing that motivates Temple. He said he is still bitter about losing in the Group AA, Region I football final to crosstown rival Nansemond River, a team that the Cavaliers had beaten twice during the regular season.
``I thought we were better than Nansemond River and Sherando (the team that beat the Warriors in a state semifinal),'' said Temple, a first team All-Region I offensive lineman. ``You always remember when Nansemond River beats you so that's not forgotten. Maybe I can make up for it (by winning a state championship in wrestling). I've a got a second chance and a lot of the other guys don't.''
A state championship may also give Temple a chance for a college scholarship, but he won't be disappointed if no one comes calling.
``I want to go to Virginia because it's a prestigious school,'' said Temple, who expects to get a response from U.Va. in April. ``It's not Harvard or Yale, but (a U.Va. diploma) is something I can strive for.''
Until then, class is in session for the rest of the Bay Rivers' 215-pound wrestlers. ILLUSTRATION: WRESTLING
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
James Temple is the top-ranked wrestler at 215 in South Hampton
Roads.
by CNB