Eastern Wayne takes dual meet

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 30, 2006 2:17 PM

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Senior Travis Turner continued his assault on the Eastern Wayne and Wayne County record books by turning in a 4-0 performance during a five-team dual meet Friday evening in New Hope.

Turner improved to 50-1 overall and moved within one win of tying the single-season county record of 51 victories set by current UNC Pembroke freshman Michael Sander. Sander, who graduated from Rosewood, established the mark last season.

That’s not the only record Turner is chasing. He’s in a head-to-head battle with Rosewood senior Matt Davis for most career wins in county history. Davis has 156, while Turner is close behind at 149.

Turner emerged the single-season win leader (50) in Eastern Wayne history less than two weeks ago. Sophomore Chris Tesar is challenging that record after remaining unbeaten in 47 matches through Friday’s competition.

“Being a senior captain, I can always depend on him (Turner) and have bumped him around a couple of times (in the lineup),” said Eastern Wayne coach Mike Brown. “It’s nice to know that you’ve got somebody who is going to win. The one loss he had was a bad day where he didn’t wrestle well.

“He’s starting to pick it up a little bit in practice and knows it’s getting close to the (state) finals. Mentally, he is more focused this year than last year. He’s where he wants to be right now.”

Turner (50-1) pinned Chris Warren (Triton) and Donnell Allen (Nash Central), and posted a 5-2 decision against Rob Brooks (J.H. Rose). He drew a forfeit against Washington.

Senior Joey Burridge posted a spotless 4-0 record and improved to 40-3 overall. Brandon Johnson climbed to 47-6 overall with a 4-0 worksheet that included two falls, one major decision and one forfeit.

Brian Lincoln finished 3-0 and hit the 40-win mark for the season. Detori Mitchell ended the day 3-1 and is questionable for Tuesday’s regular-season finale at archrival Charles B. Aycock after sustaining a hand injury against Nash Central.

“We taped it up and after the third match (against Rose), he said it was really bothering him,” said Brown. “I wanted to sit him out for the last match (against Washington), but he wanted to finish.

“But after that last match was over, he was in a lot of pain.”

Eastern Wayne finished 4-0 for the evening with victories over Triton (58-21), Nash Central (71-1), J.H. Rose (38-28) and Washington (42-28).

“We managed to squeak by Rose,” said Brown.

The Rampants, of the Classes 3-A/4-A Coastal Conference, battled without 160-pounder Blake Goodall. The loss forced Brown and Rose coach Ronnie Goodall to play a chess match, which Brown eventually won.

Blake Goodall, who is recovering from a staph infection, had handed Lincoln three of his six losses this season. If he had been in the lineup, Brown would have needed to move Brandon Johnson from heavyweight to 215 pounds to counter a possible loss by Lincoln at 160.

Lincoln pinned the Rampants’ Mark Smith in 30 seconds. The Warriors also got individual victories from Tesar (112 pounds), James Knight (119), Brack Duvall (130), John Fricks (135), Burridge (152), Turner (171) and Johnson (275).

“The boys wrestled good,” said Brown.

Eastern Wayne improved to 22-7 with the dual-match sweep. If the Warriors upset the unbeaten Golden Falcons on Tuesday, they’ll create a possible three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference. The two automatic bids for the N.C. High School Athletic Association dual-team playoffs would be determined during next Saturday’s season-ending tournament at Aycock. A loss keeps Eastern Wayne in line for one of the East’s two wildcard playoff berths.

“We’ve got a good shot at getting a wild card now,” said Brown. “It’s going to be interesting.”