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Caprock wrestler Tori Adams leads five Longhorn wrestlers intent on winning state. Click on picture for a bigger view |
Big bopper : Adams leads Caprock's `Murderers row' to state
By STEVE BELVIN Thursday, February 24, 2000
Globe-News Sports Writer
The Caprock Lady Longhorns have been notorious for a "Murderer's Row" this season - a group of five young ladies that have simply overwhelmed their wrestling opponents.
In each Murderer's row there is a big bopper, the leader of the pack. The 1927 Yankees had Babe Ruth. The Caprock Lady Longhorns have Tori Adams.
Adams and the Lady Longhorns will be shooting for a state championship Friday and Saturday at the Austin Convention Center. Last year the Lady Longhorns finished second at the state meet. This year, with the emergence of the Murderer's Row, Adams said her team can win the team title.
"I think winning state is a definite possibility," said Adams. "If we go to state and wrestle to our full potential, we can win," she said.
Caprock assistant T.J.Johnson echoes Adams' statement.
"I honestly believe they're going to win," said Johnson. "Now I've been wrong before, but I think they're going to win because they've been drilled to think that."
Adams, the defending state and national champ, wrestles in the 148-pound division. The rest of the Murderer's Row is Dedra Puentes (105), Stephanie Olivas (110), Jennifer Johnson (119) and Minnie Garcia (128).
"We got the name from a book about Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable," said Adams. "People try to cut weight to get away from us, but they can't. If you run from 105, the 110 will get you, if you run from 110, the 119 will get you."
Need more proof? The Murderer's Row has compiled a 110-4 record this season.
Johnson said Adams, who's been wrestling since she was eight-years-old, is definitely the team leader.
"She is the catalyst of the whole team," he said."They follow after her. They have a lot of competitiveness and desire in what they do."
Adams modestly explains the situation.
"You always hear about me being a leader," she said. "The reason I get that respect is because I respect the others." said Adams. "Without the girls we wouldn't have a team; I couldn't get better."
Adams has had a remarkable high school career. Her only official loss came her sophomore year, when she finished third at nationals. She was beaten in an exhibition match against a wrestler from Ohio this year at Caprock.
Adams and Johnson agree that team unity is a key. A good example is at the Conroe tournament. Puentes had trouble making her weight after the first day of the tournament. That night she went to run to lose weight. The whole team decided to run with her.
Another show of unity and determination, the group is at the gym at 6 in the morning to lift weights with coach Johnson. They do it because they want to. It is not mandatory.
"That's one reason we are as good as we are. We are real close, well united." Adams said.
Johnson said Adams's level of concentration is unreal.
"I don't think I've ever seen an athlete as focused as she is," he said. "There might have been one, Martin Apodaca, who's wrestling in college now. The good thing about Tori is that she doesn't let anything get into her head. She's got everything under control. She's very determined and knows what she wants. For a young person, that's strange. Tori is definitely the total package."
