In all shapes and sizes

Wrestlers prove that big talent outweighs small stature

'Most people think the bigger you are, the better. In wrestling, it doesn't always work that way.'

Based on appearance, Leesville Road's Billy Edwards doesn't strike you as a competitive high school wrestler. Perhaps it's his silver braces or his pine-needle frame.

He wrestles at 125 pounds and some people assume smaller guys -- and girls -- are weak.

They might not expect Edwards to bench press 140 pounds, take third in last season's N.C. High School Athletic Association individual 4-A state championship or be 48-3 this season.

"Most people think the bigger you are, the better," Edwards said. "In wrestling, it doesn't always work that way."

In high school wrestling, competitors face opponents of the same weight class. The smaller of these are the 103-, 112-, 119-, 125-, 130- and 135-pound classes.

Some area coaches say parents, especially those of freshmen new to the sport, do not realize that these are strict weight requirements and are hesitant to let their youngsters try out.

Many parents, coaches say, fear their child might get hurt because of their body type. Coaches try to correct that misconception as they recruit wrestlers to fill lower weight classes.

This season several Triangle teams have had to forfeit matches in lower weight classes, which can cost their teams points in tournaments. It isn't considered a widespread problem, but it's an issue some coaches face.

Durham Jordan's Phil Davanzo is always on the lookout for good prospects. He invites freshmen to watch practices and hopes they catch the bug.

Senior Jack Coman signed on as a sophomore. A 5-foot-2, 103-pounder, he has maintained his weight and his interest and is 24-7 this season.

Davanzo had freshman Erica Lyons join the team this season. She came in with experience wrestling at Githens Middle School.

Lyons also had a mother, Kimberly Jones, who was afraid her 4-foot-8, 103-pound daughter would be crushed. Initially she was against the idea but eventually realized "it has nothing to with their size but what they learn."

Lyons turned to wrestling after failing to make the varsity basketball team. People automatically discouraged her, saying, "You're too small" and "You'll get hurt."

And, yes, sometimes she fears passing out or breaking bones. She's most afraid when an opponent pulls her arm behind her back. Several times she has held her breath while caught in a headlock. Yet she persists because she enjoys participating.

Davanzo said Lyons, who has 1-2 record in varsity matches, is one of the hardest workers on the team.

"Wrestling can teach those smaller kids or less confident kids how to be confident," he said.

Leesville Road coach Jason Wyss believes anyone can wrestle and sells the sport to students who aren't very successful in basketball or football.

Wyss tells some of those students enamored with basketball, "Honestly, you're 5-4. Unless you can touch the rim, there's nothing there for you."

So he offers wrestling, a sport where speed and proper technique can neutralize size. In the past, he said, Leesville has had success with wrestlers from lower weight classes.

This season the Pride has two wrestlers on its roster at 103 pounds, including freshman starter Kevin Boggs (25-18).

Every team isn't that fortunate. Boggs has received several forfeits this season, including two in Cap Seven conference competition.

Leesville's Edwards sometimes struts around the hallway in his blue letterman jacket, the one with a white C indicating he is a captain. He's certainly grown from that "scrawny" 112-pound freshman.

"There's a little more respect for me since I wrestle, than if I didn't," he said.