Rosewood wrestlers thump archrival Princeton

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on December 21, 2006 1:47 PM

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Rosewood began defense of its Class 1-A Carolina/Tar-Roanoke Athletic/Albemarle Conference regular-season championship with a 63-15 conquest of border rival Princeton on Tuesday evening.

The Eagles (3-1) collected seven pins and 11 individual victories overall.

First-year grapplers Richie Pelt (145 pounds), Vontarius Kornegay (171) and J.P Person (215) each recorded a pin.

"We had great performances tonight from our first-year guys," said Rosewood head coach Bill Edmundson. "I think this is where wrestling as tough of a schedule as we do, pays off. Our anchors got the job done with impressive wins all the way down the lineup."

Rosewood raced to a 23-0 lead after the completion of four matches.

Chris Hare started the night with a 53-second fall against the Dawgs' Patrick Woodard at 135 pounds. Josh Holmes (140) and Pelt followed with consecutive falls, and Byron Cavenaugh dismantled Cody McConnell for a technical fall.

Princeton's Matt Blackwell momentarily stopped the run with a second-perion fall against T.J. Sprinkle at 160 pounds. The Eagles seized the next three matches -- all by fall -- behind Kornegay, Chris Holmes (189) and Person.

Bulldog heavyweight Jonathan Hartley picked up a major decision and teammate Justin Collier drew a forfeit at 103 pounds.

The Eagles reeled off four straight wins to close out the match. Olivia Neal (112) and Curtis Johnson (130) each picked up a forfeit, while senior Jim Bish scored a major decision over Matt Wilkins at 119.

J.D. Baker pinned the Dawgs' Blake Jones at 125.

"Princeton's guys are starting to look pretty good," said Edmundson. "Their program is on track to being very successful. Their guys fight hard and don't give up. The match was a lot closer than the score might indicate."

Rosewood entertains C/TRC/A opponents Franklinton and North Johnston today. The first match begins at 6 p.m.

Rosewood 63

Princeton 15

135 -- Chris Hare (RHS) wbf Patrick Woodard, 53 seconds; 140 -- Josh Holmes (RHS) wbf D.J. Langdon, 5:05: 145 -- Richie Pelt (RHS) wbf Josh Best, 5:10; 152 -- Byron Cavenaugh (RHS) tech fall Cody McConnell, 18-2; 160 -- Matt Blackwell (PHS) wbf T.J. Sprinkle, 2:52; 171 -- Vontarius Kornegay (RHS) wbf Tyler Baker, 3:08; 189 -- Chris Holmes (RHS) wbf Willie Sheffield, 0:26; 215 -- J.P. Person (RHS) wbf Logan Rains, 0;30; Hwt -- Jonathan Hartley (PHS) maj. dec. Trevor Worrell, 10-2; 103 -- Justin Collier (PHS) by forfeit; 112 -- Olivia Neal (RHS) by forfeit; 119 -- Jim Bish (RHS) maj. dec. Matt Wilkins, 13-4; 125 -- J.D. Baker (RHS) wbf Blake Jones, 2:16; 130 -- Curtis Johnson (RHS) by forfeit.

Records: Rosewood 3-1, 1-0 Carolina/Tar-Roanoke Athletic/Albemarle Conference.

Next match: Rosewood, home today vs. Franklinton and North Johnston.