Terry Pilkington Duals: A good cross-section of teams compete in annual event

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 5, 2007 2:22 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- A mix of county and regional wrestling teams comprises the Terry Pilkington Memorial Duals, slated for Saturday at Charles B. Aycock High School.

The host Golden Falcons are the reigning champions and carry an 11-0 record into the day-long, 10-team event.

"Obviously, this is a special event for everyone that knew and worked with Terry," said veteran Aycock coach Kevin Smith. "It is the tournament we always want to look our best. I think that over the years our kids have come to practice the week before this tournament a little more motivated and focused."

Joining Aycock are county rivals Rosewood and Southern Wayne, a pair of N.C. High School Athletic Association dual-team qualifiers in 2006. Rosewood returns to the Pilkington after a one-year absence.

Rounding out the field is Heide Trask, Greene Central, SouthWest Edgecombe, Wilson Hunt, Tarboro High, Southern Nash and Princeton. Greene Central is the reigning Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference champion, while Tarboro, Southern Nash, Hunt and Trask are perennial participants in the dual-team playoffs.

"We have a great cross-section of eastern North Carolina teams here this weekend," said Smith. "There should be a lot of close duals and some great individual matchups this weekend. The kids should get a real feeling for where they are at this point in the season.

"We look forward to an excellent day of wrestling."

Admission is $5 and opening-round matches begin at 9 a.m.