Wrestlers advanceto National Olympic trials

I n May 1980,almost three months after the United States decided to boycott theMoscow Olympics, Aaron Thomas andPatSolefought their way through theAmateur Athletic Union National Olympic trials competition in Madison, Wis

Even though the boycott assured that they would not compete inthe 1980 Olympics, Sole and Thomas placed fifth and seventh respectively afterqualifying inthe AA U Southern competition Sole and Thomas felt confident competing at this level of competition because oftheir previous season's performance

Sole finished the 1980regular season with a 12-6 record after an ankle injury kept him from competition in the first half of the season Thomas became the first Flames wrestler to complete an undefeated season,going 32-0 on his way to second NCCA A National Championship

Both Soleand Thomas were gladfor the experience they gained in the higher competition ofOlympic trials.

PatSolehas twomore years ofeligibilityas an LBC wrestler. Sole, from West Virginia, has won national tournaments and hasalso toured Europeasa representative ofthe U.S. wrestling team.

"The main reason I went was to gain experience,"Thomas said "I feel I'm as good as anyone in the nation and I need a chance to improve m y skills The AA U lets me wrestle ina higher caliber ofcompetition."

"I hoped to place in the top 10," Sole said, "and get experience wrestling atthat level ofcompetition."

Despite the transition from collegiate to freestyle wrestling,Sole and Thomas were confident they could compete with the stronger competition.

"I've competed with thebest andI feel I can compete nationally," Sole said.

Sole's main concern was making theweight. Solewrestled at118for the Flames but chose to compete inthe 105 weight class in theAA U trials

Thomas said that prayer calms him in preperation foreach match.

"Everybody gets nervous," Thomas said. "When you don't it's time to hang it up."

Sole hastwoyears ofeligibilityremaining at LBC

"Right nowI'm praying aboutjoin- ingAthletesinAction," Solesaid. "To me getting the gospel out is moreimportant than any medals I've won."

Thomas, presently a member of AIA,isplanning totrainfull-time for the 1984Olympic tryouts.

"I'llgivemy totalefforttotrain and the rest is up to the Lord," Thomas said -Paul Stoltzfus U

First NAIA Nationals

(continued from page 132)

Division II tournament which had been held one week earlier.

"NAIA is probably stronger than NCAA Division II,"Head Coach Bob Bonheim said.

Fox placed eighth in the competitiongaining Honorable Mention AllAmerican status.

The successfulseason alsoincluded a fifth consecutive NCCAA national title and an 11-0 dual meet record This record extended the Flames' dual meet unbeaten streak to 32-0.

Castro captured his fourth titleto become the first person in NCCAA history to be a four-time national champion. Other champions were Mike Speer (118), Steve lies(150), and Howard Johnson (167). Four Flames placed second including Bill Fox(158), Mark Brooks (177),Rick Adams (190) and Marc Eaton (HWT) Rick Adams was forced to forfeit his championship match because of a shoulder injury which he suffered in the semifinalmatch

Coach Bonheim also received the NCCAA Coach-of-the-year award for the second time He firstreceived the honor in1976.

The Flames opened the season with a first placefinish intheNorth Carolina A & T Takedown Tournament before entering the Monarch Invitational at Old Dominion University

Flames wrestlers placed 10th in the tournament which, according to Coach Bonheim, was the toughest (continued on page 137)

JuniorDave Damron isawarded a two-point take-down against his Appalachian State opponent. Damron suffered a knee injury against Marshall University which kept him from competing in the NAIA Nationals.

Steve lies works to gain control of his opponent in the 150-pound weight class. lies was one point from victory inhislast NAIA National match butwas defeated in the last 20 seconds.

SeniorStevelies attempts to lock hisfingers to gaincontrol ofthe AppalachianState wrestler. lies finished second intheLBC Invitational mid-way through the season.

Wrestlingat 158, Senior Bill Fox is onhis way todefeating this Furman wrestler. Foxeventuallylostinthefinalround tofinish secondin the LBC Invitational.

WRESTLING 1980-81

Won 11Lost0

Paul Hawthorne, Clark Robbins, Tom Tinman, Mike Speer. (second row) Tim Burd, Bill McDonnell, Dan Wilson, Craig Landfair, RayHaley, Steve Dignan,Jesse Castro, Howard Johnson, (back row) student coach Mike Osborne, student coachAaron Thomas, Bryon Wagner,

BrettMiller, Marc Eaton,Dean Marquey, Curt Motsinger,Dale Coyner, Joey Fowler.

First NAI A nationals

(continued from page 135) competition oftheyear. For the fourth year in a row theFlames went on to win the10-team North Carolina A & T tournament by claiming six first place finishes, one second, and one third.

After winning their first dual meet of theyear against Campbell University and Pfeiffer University, the Flames placed fifth in the Clemson University Invitational tournament. The Flames' finish was highlighted when Steve lies defeated thetoptwo tournament seeds to secure the 150pound division title. The LBC Dual Meet Invitational then boosted the team's record to 4-0 before they entered the fourth annual LBC Invitational LBC fans watched as Appalachin State University battled the Flames for firstplace Inthe end,LBC was 12 points short and they placed second for the second consecutive year. TheAppalachian State team was the lastteam ever todefeat theFlames in a dual match.

Victories over Marshall University, Akron University and Longood Col- lege raised the Flames undefeated mark to7-0 Theteam wasalsovictorious intheir first NAIA tournament competition Castro (142),Speer (119), lies (150), Johnson (167) and Brooks (177) took firstplace inthe District19 tournament while Fox (158)and Adams (190) captured second.Castrowas alsoselected as the Most Outstanding Wrestler of thetournament. Fourremaining dual meet victories completed theFlames' second straight undefeated season andreadied the teamfor the upcoming national competition.

The championship squad of 198081 lost five top senior competitors

Rob Hetrick at126pounds was sidelined most ofthe year byaninjured knee Hetrick did wrestle sixmatches, finishing 3-3 fortheseason and51-25 in hisLBC career

JesseCastro finished hisLBCcareer with the distinction ofbeing the first Flame tobecome anNAIA Ail-American Castro,who finished the season with a 29-5-1 record, captured the North Carolina A & T tournament, the LBC Invitational tournament, the NAIA District 19tournament and the NCCAA national title while wrestling at 142pounds. Castro's career record is 101-20-2.

Steve lies, who finished with a 29-4 record, took firstinthe North Carolina A &L T tournament, the Clemson Invitational tournament, the NAIA District 19 tournament and the NCCAA national competition. lies' career record stands at60-18

Bill Fox received Honorable AilAmerican status intheNAIA nationals by finishing in eighth place Fox took first in the 158 pound weight class in the North Carolina A & T tournament andwasrunner-up in the NAIA District 19 and NCCA A nationaltournaments.Foxfinished with a season record of22-12 and a career record of65-27

Rick Adams wrestled at 177/190 and compiled a 23-8 season record. Adams wasthe North Carolina A & T tournament champion and runner-up in the NAIA District 19and NCCA A national tournament. Adams finished his LBC career with a 62-18 record

-Paul Stoltzfus n

Accordingtotheoldcliche,

Gillespie warms up for the shotput. Gillespie capturedoneoftwoLBCfirst place finishes inthe 26-teamDavidson Relays. Gillespie also holds school records inthe shotput, discus and hammer throw.

(front row) Don Smith, Ray Tyson, Rick Horn, Anthony Beckles, Russ Boone, Mike Phillips, Doug Monohan, Bill Blackford, Rick Wilson, Robert Holler, Dave Nelson, Bill Rollins, RogerRichards, Tim Black, (back row) Coach Jake Matthes,Don Williams, Randy Long, Mark Burr,Tim Hyder, Dave Chase,Clay Bullock,