Eastern Wayne matmen edge Rosewood

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 13, 2006 1:47 PM

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The chess game started once the weigh-ins began Tuesday evening.

Absences in two weight classes and wrestlers not making their designated weight forced Rosewood coach Bill Edmundson to "bump" his lineup.

Eastern Wayne coach Mike Brown, who expectedly a tightly-contested match, did the same. Brown got the better head-to-head matchups and the Warriors prevailed 44-33.

"Both of us weighed in about 20 kids," said Brown. "I knew he was going to do something with his weight classes, so I told the boys to be ready to be moved up down. At the time, I didn't know he didn't have Olivia (Neal).

"I think that hurt him some because that was a 12-point swing."

Neal, who attends early college classes at Wayne Community, couldn't compete to due a final exam. Not making the required weight in several lower classes also compounded the Eagles' troubles.

But Edmundson wasn't disappointed.

"If things go a little differently, we win that match," said a confident Edmundson. "Not having Olivia hurt. We bumped to get our studs into the lineup ... had to move Jim (Bish) up and everybody up from there.

"Still, I thought it was a great match."

Eastern Wayne (3-0) triumphed in six of the 12 contested bouts and received two forfeits. Rosewood, which endured its first defeat in three dual-team outings, captured six individual victories. The Eagles held a brief 18-17 lead after the 135-pound match.

Six matches lasted two-plus periods.

Edmundson observed his wrestlers' ability to fight off their backs in several matches. Avoiding falls and keeping the Eagles within striking distance proved crucial in the early-season encounter.

"Fighting off our back is something we preach daily in practice," said Edmundson. "When you give up just three or four points, that's the importance of team when it comes to wrestling. You make everybody work for it."

The Warriors, ranked No. 2 by The Takedown Report, seized an 11-point advantage through four matches. Freshman Drew Tesar (103) collected a forfeit and 112-pounder Jordan Harris pinned the Eagles' Andy Seamen late in the opening period.

Bish momentarily broke the run with a second-period fall over K.J. Broadie. Junior Chris Tesar posted a technical fall (16-1) over Eagle freshman Luke Davis.

"Luke doesn't ever shy away from competition," said Edmundson. "I grin a lot about Luke being a freshman and not getting pinned by Tesar, but actually wrestling with him."

J.D. Baker and Chris Hare claimed back-to-back falls and put Rosewood ahead 18-17. Eastern Wayne, however, answered with a 16-0 run. A.J. Washington (140 pounds) and Detori Mitchell (145) each notched a pin, while Brian Lincoln upended Byron Cavenaugh 15-4.

Rosewood's Andrew Sass rallied from a 9-3 deficit to turn back Timmy Brown 11-9 in their 160-pound bout.

Brandon Darby, a first-year starter, returned the favor for the Warriors with a 5-minute, 58-second fall over Vontarius Kornegay at 171 pounds.

Darby trailed 8-2 midway through the second period, but pulled within 8-7 on a takedown and two nearfall points. He chose the "down" position to start the third period, escaped Kornegay's hold and scored another takedown.

Kornegay wound up on his back moments later and Darby eventually recorded the pin before time expired.

"That was an unfortunate match ... a swing match," said Edmundson. "We ran out of gas at the end and got pinned. That would have made a difference in the overall score.

"We should have won that match I thought."

The Eagles' Chris Holmes earned the night's fastest pin -- a 34-second fall over Vekevyn Poole. The Warriors' Brandon Johnson grabbed a forfeit at 215 and Rosewood's Trevor Morris picked up a disqualification at heavyweight.

"I was pleased with the effort and the fact that a couple of my young kids came through," said Brown. "Brandon ... that was a big win."

Each team returns to action later this week. Rosewood is the guest of South Lenoir on Thursday, while Eastern Wayne begins competition in the prestigious WRAL Invitational on Friday.

"I'm pleased with the way we fought," said Edmundson. "Eastern Wayne has one of the best teams they've ever had and Mike has done a super job with them. For us to go over there and be competitive, I'm most pleased with that."

Eastern Wayne 44

Rosewood 33

103 -- Drew Tesar (EW) by forfeit; 112 -- Jordan Harris (EW) wbf Andy Seamen, 1:45; 119 -- Jim Bish (RHS) wbf K.J. Broadie, 2:24; 125 -- Chris Tesar (EW) tech fall Luke Davis, 16-1 (5:35); 130 -- J.D. Baker (RHS) wbf Zack Hahn, 5:53; 135 -- Chris Hare (RHS) wbf James Knight, 1:24: 140 -- A.J. Washington (EW) wbf Josh Holmes, 2:20; 145 -- Detori Mitchell (EW) wbf Richie Pelt, 0:48; 152 -- Brian Lincoln (EW) maj. dec. Byron Cavenaugh, 15-4; 160 -- Andrew Sass (RHS) dec. Timmy Brown, 11-9; 171 -- Brandon Darby (EW) wbf Vontarius Kornegay, 5:58; 189 -- Chris Holmes (RHS) wbf Vekevyn Peele, 0:34; 215 -- Brandon Johnson (EW) by forfeit; Hwt -- Trevor Morris (RHS) by DQ over Foy Coley.

Records: Eastern Wayne 3-0, Rosewood 2-1.

Next match: Thursday, Rosewood at South Lenoir; Friday and Saturday, Eastern Wayne in WRAL Invitational at Raleigh Athens Drive.