THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601120625
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Seventh-ranked Granby took a major step toward ending Lake Taylor's three-year reign as Eastern District champions Thursday as the seventh-ranked Comets outdueled the No. 8 Titans 42-24 at Lake Taylor.
The shorthanded Titans wrestled without a 215- or 275-pounder, meaning they went into the match essentially trailing 12-0.
The Comets (7-1 overall, 2-0 in the Eastern District) can clinch a tie for the league crown next Friday with a victory over Booker T. Washington, and a victory over Norview the following week will give them the title outright.
``All I know is (Lake Taylor's) whupped us good the past three years, but now it looks like this is our year,'' Granby's Antoine Prince said.
Prince prevailed in the most entertaining match of the night, as he rallied past Joshua Nelson 11-9 in overtime at 152.
Granby also got a victory from Chris Martin, who improved to 16-0 with a first-period pin of Richard Quales. Rueben Waites (119) and Chris Lee (135) also won for the Comets, who dropped five of the first seven bouts.
The Titans, who for various reasons (injuries, academics, transfers) have lost half their starting lineup since the season began, still competed valiantly and held the lead until Granby's William Thornton's second-period pin of Richard Bonney at 171 put the Comets in front 24-21.
Lake Taylor (6-3, 1-1) got off to a strong start when junior varsity starter Check Yee Kam surprised Granby's Andy Egloso at 103. Using Kam allowed top-ranked 103-pounder Paul Jimenez to move up to 112, where he scored a major decision over Chad Harrison.
Termaine Baker (No. 2 in the area at 125), Lionel Davis (second at 130) and Kenny Hessler (top-ranked at 140) also won for Lake Taylor, which led 21-12 after seven bouts. But Roger Travaglio's 10-5 victory over Darryl Evans at 160 was Lake Taylor's only other victory of the night.
In another match at Lake Taylor Thursday, Maury heavyweight Steve Bruner won by fall to lift the Commodores past Norview 42-36.
DUALS BEGIN: Lake Taylor will take on Grundy at 1 p.m. today in one of eight first-round matches in the Virginia Duals' National Invitational Tournament at the Hampton Colieum. In other matches involving local teams, Great Bridge wrestles Overton (Tenn.), Tallwood takes on St. Mark's (Del.), Cox faces Highland (N.J.) and Western Branch meets Tri Valley (Pa.). For times and other matches at the Duals, refer to today's high school schedule on page C4. ILLUSTRATION: D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/ The Virginian-Pilot
Granby's Chad Harrison appeared to have control, but Lake Taylor's
Paul Jiminez came back to win.
by CNB