THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 10, 1997 TAG: 9701100689
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 127 lines
The 17th annual Virginia Duals begins a two-day run today at Hampton Coliseum with a record 53 teams: 37 high schools and 16 colleges.
Nazareth (Pa.) High returns to defend its title in the National Division, but it won't have Great Bridge to kick around. The Wildcats, who annually pose the greatest local challenge and placed third last year, have been relegated to the Top Gun Division.
The move, according to Duals high school adviser Frank Lipoli, is part of an effort to upgrade the Top Gun Division, which features nine-time Vermont champion Mount St. Anthony Union and Poquoson, as well as area teams Kempsville, Oscar Smith, Lake Taylor and Kellam.
Mount St. Anthony's Jeremiay Rodgers is the only three-time state champ in the event. He is at 112.
The National field lost a team at the last minute when Kittatinny, N.J., was unable to make the trip, creating a bye for DeMatha.
Action begins at 8 a.m. with two first-round matches in the National Division. A tournament glance and look at first-round local pairings in the National Division:
GENERAL INFORMATION
When: Today and Saturday
Where: Hampton Coliseum
Times: Begins at 8 a.m. both days.
Tickets: Tournament pass, $20 adults, $12 students; Friday all day, $8 adults, $5 students; Saturday first session (8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) $8 adults, $5 students; second session (5:30 p.m.-end) $8 adults, $5 students.
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
National Division
8:00 a.m.: Nazareth vs. First Colonial, Dematha (bye); 9:45 a.m.: Cox vs. Lyndhurst, Liberty vs. Queensbury; 11:30 a.m.: St. Mark's vs. Herndon, Western Branch vs. Soddy Daisy, Parkersburg South vs. Tallwood, Irvington vs. Grundy.
Quarterfinals at 1:15 p.m.; first-round consolations at 3 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Top Gun Division
7 p.m.: Lake Taylor vs. Stonewall Jackson, Oscar Smith vs. Christiansburg, Atlee vs. Kempsville; 8 p.m.:; Gloucester vs. Halifax, Denbigh vs. Turner Ashby, Great Bridge vs. W. Springfield. 9 p.m.: Currituck vs. Poquoson, Mount St. Anthony vs. Kellam.
Black and Blue Division
5:15 p.m.: York vs. Bruton; Ocean Lakes vs. Tabb. Semifinals at 9 p.m.
College Division
8 a.m.: (NU)12 Edinboro vs. VMI; (NU)20 Wisconsin vs. (NU)21 Ohio State; (NU)23 Arizona State vs. Northwestern; Brown vs. Indiana State. 9:45 a.m.: (NU)10 Lockhaven vs. George Mason; E. Michigan vs. (NU)18 Rider; Cornell vs. N. Iowa; Lehigh vs. (NU)15 Cal State-Bakersfield. Quarterfinals: 11:30 a.m.: Top bracket. 1:15 p.m.: Bottom bracket. 3: Consolations.
MATCHUPS
First Colonial vs. Nazareth, Pa.
Time: 8 a.m.
About the Patriots: Making National Divison debut after winning the Top Gun Division last year. Defending state champ Jason Bernd is 12-0 at 125, state placewinner Jeff Bernd is 11-2 at 135 and state qualifier Tom Juskevich is 12-1 at 189.
About the Blue Eagles: Defending National Division champs have not lost in four Duals appearances. No. 4 nationally this season. Returning state placewinners are Chris Vitace (130), Andy Cote (145), Jarrett Hoff (171) and Rob Rohn (189).
Next: Winner meets Dematha at 1:15 p.m. Loser receives a bye.
Cox vs. Lyndhurst, N.J.
Time: 9:45 a.m.
About the Falcons: Cox (15-0) is ranked No. 23 in the nation and led by its undefeated quartet of Bobby Ingram (103), R. J. Davis (135), Pierre Pryor (140) and Mohammed Youssofi (171).
About the Golden Bears: Lyndhurst is 5-1 this season and boasts the top individual in the tournament, senior 152-pounder Don Pritzlaff. He's a two-time state champ with a 64-match winning streak and has signed with Wisconsin. Pritzlaff should draw Cox's Will Lewis (12-4). Other wrestlers to watch for Lyndhurst are Mike Setembrino (119) and Dave Bautis (160).
Next: Winner meets Liberty-Queensbury winner at 1:15 p.m. Losers at 3 p.m.
Western Branch vs. Soddy Daisy, Tenn.
Time: 11:30 a.m.
About the Bruins: This is supposed to be Western Branch's year and at 15-1 it's hard to quarrel. But the Bruins, ranked No. 24 in the nation, have rarely been healthy. Matt Viola (103/112) and unbeaten Marvin Urquhart (275) have been sick and there is some question as to whether unbeaten Richard Slocumb (125) will wrestle. At full strength the Bruins are formidable with Willie Evans (119), Slocumb, Daniel Smith (130), Cory Bauswell (160) and Urquhart sporting two or fewer losses.
About the Trojans: Soddy Daisy placed sixth in the Tennessee state tournament last year and has a first, two seconds and two thirds in tournaments this season. Top wrestlers are Shane Ritchie, a state placewinner, at 119; defending regional champ Adam Keyser at 125; two-time state qualifier Jim Higgins at 160.
Next: Winner meets St. Mark's-Herndon winner at 1:15 p.m. Losers at 5:15.
Tallwood vs. Parkersburg South, W. Va.
Time: 11:30 p.m.
About the Lions: This is a step up for Tallwood (8-0). The Lions need some gutsy performances in the lower weights to stay in contention before hitting their strength from 145-189. Jason Kraft is 13-0 at 125 and Winston Escalante (103), David Pittman (145), Andre Kemp (160) and Joe Kerr (171) have one loss each.
About the Patriots: Only dual loss was to national powerhouse St. Edward's of Cleveland. Ten starters have placed or qualified for state, led by Zach Hasse (125), Scott Rhodes (135) and Jason Johnson (140).
Next: Winner meets Grundy-Irvington winner at 1:15 p.m. Losers at 5:15.
REST OF THE FIELD
Grundy: The perennial Virginia AA champion is ranked 13th nationally, with four defending state champions and four state placewinners. The champs are B. D. Robertson (152), Donnie Bishop (160), Scott Justus (171) and Luke Owens (275).
Irvington, N.J.: Won two tournaments this season. Strength is from 152 up.
Liberty, Pa.: Tied Nazareth in a dual match. Standouts are Mario Stuart (103), Brad Washburn (119), Phil Reutlinger (135) and Jason Bond (275).
Queensbury, N.Y.: Ranked No. 1 in state and No. 18 in nation. Mark French (171) and Dan Stine (189) are ranked among Top 5 in state and Josh Etu (215) is a Cadet World champ.
St. Mark's, Del.: Ranked No. 14 in nation. Won three tournaments, placed second to powerful Blair Academy in a fourth. Bruce Kelly (119), Jason Bastianelli (135) two-time state champs.
Dematha, Md.: Perennial suburban Washington power, competed in Mid-Atlantic Classic with Blair and St. Mark's.
Herndon: Placed third in NOVA tournament behind Poquoson and Tallwood. Peter Bakke (112) and Matt Gallagher (130) are state placewinners.