Wild Thang

DARRELL L. BREESE/ Frontiersman reporter

HOUSTON - Houston freshman Thang Veng competes on the wrestling team with a two big disadvantages.

Like most of his teammates he struggles to make weight each week. Unlike other wrestlers he strives to add mass to his chiseled frame.

His other handicap is lack of experience. He came into the season having wrestled just a portion of the middle school season last year.

He makes up for those disadvantages with a limitless amount of energy and dazzling speed.

&#8220When it's time to wrestle he becomes a blur,” Houston coach Chris Roggie said of Veng.

That speed helped him win the title in the 103-pound division at the Kachemak Conference Championships, defeating Scott Reierson of Seward 11-1.

This weekend he hopes to parlay his speed and the experienced gained wrestling a full season into a state championship during the Class 1-2-3A tournament that will be held at the Wasilla Sports Complex.

According to Roggie, off the mat Veng is one of the more mellow members of the Hawks team.

&#8220Except for the occasional joke he is pretty quiet,” Roggie added. &#8220But he changes gears when he is on the mat. He is like a whirling dervish out there.”

Roggie and the Houston coaches have been able to show Veng how to incorporate certain wrestling techniques with his speed to make him better as the season progressed. They have also put him on a diet intended to add a few pounds.

Despite the diet, Veng still weighed in seven pounds lighter than Reierson for Saturday's championship.

There is an average of just over eight pounds between each weight class in high school wrestling, and typically that difference translates into muscle and strength. But that doesn't bother Veng.

&#8220I make up for the weight disadvantage with my speed,” He explained. &#8220Normally it would be a problem, but I figure if they can't catch me that I can work around giving up a few pounds.”

His lack of experience was an evident disadvantage at the start of the season, leading to some typical rookie mistakes. But with the help of Roggie he has improved.

&#8220Then is one of the most coach able wrestlers I've had,” Roggie said. &#8220And he is a quick learner. That has allowed us to add some solid technique to his speed.”

Another obstacle Veng hopes to overcome during the state championships is David Stout of Hutchison, the pair have meet four times during regular season tournaments and each time Stout sent Veng into the loser's bracket.

Both wrestlers won their respective conference championships and should figure in the hunt for the 103-pound division title at state.

&#8220Winning the conference title really helps give me some momentum for the state tournament,” Veng indicated. &#8220But it will be a tough road, there are a lot of good guys in my weight class.”

The state championships begin this morning with action taking place throughout the day.

Consolation rounds will be held Saturday, with championship bouts slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.