Aycock grapplers dominate Rams

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 30, 2006 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

PIKEVILLE -- Despite putting five first-year starters on the mat, the Charles B. Aycock wrestling team opened its dual-team season in dominating fashion Wednesday evening.

The Golden Falcons recorded 11 falls in 13 contested individual bouts and dismantled Greene Central 73-6. Aycock improved to 9-0 in season-opening matches and collected its 39th consecutive regular-season victory.

"It was a good opening dual for us," said Smith. "We were able to get our young kids some quality matches. Our veterans looked sharp and we had a good crowd cheering us on."

The early-season, non-conference encounter between two defending conference champions quickly turned into a lopsided affair. Aycock, the reigning Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference title holder, triumphed in 11 consecutive matches and built an insurmountable 61-0 advantage.

The Rams, the defending Eastern Plains 2-A champions, ended the run on Tyler Cook's forfeit at 103 pounds. The Golden Falcons closed out the match with back-to-back, first-period falls from Drake Gurley (112 pounds) and first-year starter Justin Ferrell (119).

"The two matches that we've won this year, I would say, have been more on our level of competition," said first-year Greene Central coach Josh McClure. "We have a lot of young kids this year ... kids with inexperience.

"Our experienced kids didn't have a lot of mat time last year. We're in the situation where we've gone against some real tough competition in our last two matches."

C.B. Aycock cruised through the lower weights.

First-year starter Terrence Davis needed three periods to turn back the Rams' James Thomas 8-4 in their 125-pound tilt. Brandon Bailey, a first-year starter at 130 pounds, pinned Greene Central's Robert McCoy and started a stretch of seven consecutive falls.

Veterans Ngu Tran (135), Ronald Lynn (140), Josh Overton (145), Bryant Lancaster (152) and Steve Bentley (160) needed about a minute or less to pin their respective opponents. Josh Grimes, another first-year starter, earned a second-period pin over the Rams at 171 pounds.

"The young guys really took a step forward tonight," said Smith. "Those first couple of times a new wrestler steps on the mat is usually overwhelming for them. For the most part, our young guys are starting to get past that point now, which is very good to see.

"Their goal is to improve every week. If they can do that, we are going to be in great shape at the end of the season."

Aycock continued its run in the upper weight classes.

Gabriel Huang notched four takedowns and four nearfalls in a 23-13 major decision over the Rams' Tuvare Shaw. Jarrett Covar posted a first-period pin over the Rams' Darrin Gorham and heavyweight Khiry Reid needed five-plus minutes to pin Justin Wellington.

Wellington finished third overall in last weekend's Tarboro Turkey Invitational.

"Our upper-weight guys are stronger and bigger, and more experienced," said McClure. "I was kind of surprised at Justin. He was going against a really good wrestler and stuck with it as long as he could, but just got caught. I think going six minutes probably wore him down.

"We might have some inexperience, but we've got some fighters ... kids who won't give up. Once they get some mat experience and learn some more moves, they'll be competitive."

The Golden Falcons' upper-weight wrestlers competed in their matches since the conclusion of football season.

"Obviously, they still have a lot of catch up to do in terms of conditioning, but all three wrestled technically-sound matches," said Smith.

C.B. Aycock and Greene Central return to action Saturday in the Pierce-Davis Memorial at SouthWest Edgecombe. Opening-round matches are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Notes: Nick Bentley, Josh Pulley and Kevin Carmel each won an exhibition match. Bentley and Pulley each pinned their respective opponent, while Carmel earned a technical fall. ... Returning starter Kyle Harmon did not wrestle due to an ankle injury sustained earlier in the day. ... C.B. Aycock recorded 23 takedowns and nine nearfalls in the varsity match. ... Greene Central notched 13 escape points in five individual bouts combined. ... Four of the 13 contested matches needed either two or three periods to decide the outcome.

C.B. Aycock 73

Greene Central 6

125 -- Terrence Davis (CBA) d. James Thomas 8-4; 130 -- Brandon Bailey (CBA) wbf Robert McCoy, 2:30; 135 -- Ngu Tran (CBA) wbf John Anderson, 0:33; 140 -- Ronald Lynn (CBA) wbf Ric Bagley, 1:10; 145 -- Josh Overton (CBA) wbf Joel Aguilar, 1:02; 152 -- Bryant Lancaster (CBA) wbf Robert Tyndall, 1:04; 160 -- Steve Bentley (CBA) wbf Phillip Dudford, 0:50; 171 -- Josh Grimes (CBA) wbf Marquis Graham, 2:33; 189 -- Gabriel Huang (CBA) maj. dec. Tuvare Shaw, 23-13; 215 -- Jarrett Covar (CBA) wbf Darrin Gorham, 1:25; Hwt -- Khiry Reid (CBA) wbf Justin Wellington, 5:39; 103 -- Tyler Cook (GC) by forfeit; 112 -- Drake Gurley (CBA) wbf Xavier Hall, 0:25; 119 -- Justin Ferrell (CBA) wbf William Johnson, 0:56.

Records: C.B. Aycock 1-0; Greene Central 2-3.