Kiefer employs sound system

BY TIM PEARRELL
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
January 26, 2001

New Collegiate wrestling coach Frank Kiefer sports eight freshmen in his lineup. While he
might be starting somewhat from scratch, that may be a perfect place to introduce his modified
style of Granby wrestling.

His system, based on a wrestler on his feet initiating action and trying to score off an
opponents' reaction, as well as trying to score reversals instead of just trying to escape,
obviously works.

Kiefer built a powerhouse at private Westminster School in Atlanta. Kiefer's teams won seven
state championships during the 1990s, competing against public schools in the second-highest
group classification in Georgia. In USA Wrestling magazine's ranking of the top 100 programs
during the 1990s, Westminster was listed 24th.

A graduate of Granby High in Norfolk, Kiefer left Westminster after 13 seasons and joined
Collegiate to be closer to family in Virginia.

His first edition of the Cougars (7-2) is ranked seventh in the area. It has four seniors:
Steve Sica (25-2, ranked second at 119), Ethan Wirt (25-4, ranked fourth at 160), Neil
Loughrie (152) and Bo Hurst (145); and two juniors: Mac Friddell (130) and heavyweight
Seth Lotts.

Kiefer has no sophomores. The eight freshmen who start will have plenty of time to absorb his
system.

"With the older guys, I've . . . just tried to polish them up," Kiefer said. "The younger guys
will get the full treatment next year".

© 2001, Richmond Newspapers Inc.