CBA wrestling

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on December 20, 2005 2:00 PM

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RALEIGH -- Four Charles B. Aycock wrestlers finished among the top six in their respective weight classes and the Golden Falcons ended up 14th overall in the WRAL Invitational contested at Athens Drive High.

Ngu Tran recorded Aycock's top individual effort, taking the bronze medal at 119 pounds. Tran, who suffered just one loss during the two-day tournament, defeated East Fairmont (W. Va.) grappler Eric Morris 5-3.

Tran's lone defeat, a double-overtime outing, occurred against Jack Britt's Manual Ramirez in the semifinals.

"Ngu is so close to being at the level he wants to get to," said Aycock coach Kevin Smith. "I thought he really wrestled solid all day, and (I) expect the tough competition to really pay off for him when we get into the postseason."

Tim Harrison and Ronald Lynn turned in fifth-place performances.

Harrison defeated Chesterfield (S.C.) state runner-up Tony Moser twice, including 6-3 in the fifth-place match at 160 pounds.

"That is a good day's work (for Tim) on the mat," said Smith. "Not only did he beat some very good wrestlers today, he also wrestled some very smart matches."

Lynn tumbled into the consolation bracket after a 7-5 loss against Catawba Bandys 140-pounder Patrick McIntosh. Lynn had McIntosh on his back in the first period, but time expired. McIntosh, the No. 1-ranked Class 1-A/2-A wrestler in the state, ended up securing a third-period pin and eventually claimed second overall.

Lynn wrestled back and earned an injury default against Jack Britt's Rico Diaz to take fifth place.

"It was a good match for Ronald," said Smith of the McIntosh defeat. "He had his chance early and just couldn't close the deal. He knew as soon as that match was over what his focus needs to be over the holidays, and into January."

Drake Gurley became Aycock's youngest placer at the WRAL to date. He finished sixth at 103 pounds.

The Golden Falcons recorded the second-best finish by a 3-A team in the 36-team field. Havelock, of the Mideastern 3-A/4-A Conference, took 11th overall. Long-time nemesis West Carteret finished 11 points behind Aycock.

Traditional 4-A power Cary seized the team championship with 203.5 points. Kempsville (Va.) High grabbed the runner-up spot with 176 points. Bandys (174.5 points), East Fairmont (150.5) and East Mecklenburg (132.5) rounded out the top five.

Several weight classes featured as many as four state placers and as many as 12 state qualifiers.

"It was exactly what we wanted our kids to experience first hand," said Smith. "In more than one weight class, our kids saw competition that will be as good or better than what they would see at the state individual tournament.

"Overall, we wrestled the best we have so far this year. Many of our wrestlers beat very good wrestlers, and in a few cases, former state placers. Even in matches we lost, we saw very positive improvements in our technique."

Aycock returns to action at home on Jan. 7 in the Pilkington Memorial Duals, a day-long team tournament which honors former Golden Falcon coach Terry Pilkington.