Aycock's streak comes to an end

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on January 7, 2008 3:08 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- The streak has halted.

Washington claimed its first-ever Terry Pilkington Memorial Duals championship and ended Charles B. Aycock's seven-year reign as champion with a 35-32 victory Saturday afternoon.

"We wrestled a very close match ... ended up a one-match difference," said Aycock head coach Mark Bass. "We wrestled extremely well the majority of the day, but slipped in our intensity and had a few mental lapses against Washington.

"Washington wrestled aggressively all day, and by the end of the tournament, it led to a championship they truly earned."

The Golden Falcons (13-5 overall) shut out Bunn 81-0, rolled past South Lenoir 64-12 and handed county rival Rosewood a 34-point setback. Aycock stopped South Johnston 63-18.

Drake Gurley, Brandon Bailey, Kevin Carmel, Jarrett Covar and heavyweight Khiry Reid each recorded 5-0 records. Justin Farrell, Jacob Marple, Freddie Coley and Josh Grimes all logged 4-1 worksheets.

Aycock also received wins from James Combs, Joseph Conner, Ryan Butts, James Jones and Bryan Diorio.

"The 'Achilles' heel' of a young wrestling is consistency, and we will go back in the (practice) room today to work to improve, and prepare for our upcoming matches," said Bass.

Rosewood (13-9 overall) posted a fourth-place showing in the 12-team field. The Eagles hammered South Lenoir (56-18) and Bunn (57-21) before falling to the host Golden Falcons, 57-23. They rebounded with wins over county foe Southern Wayne (51-28) and Wilson Hunt (46-21).

"I thought we wrestled as well as we possibly could today," said Rosewood head coach Bill Edmundson. "We almost have our lineup solidified at this point and are becoming a little more competitive. I'm extremely satisfied with today."

Olivia Neal finished 5-0 at 103 pounds, while J.D. Baker (125 pounds) and Andrew Sass (152) also logged 5-0 worksheets. Scott Pate (130), Josh Holmes (145), Jonathan Rudolph (171) and 215-pounder J.P. Person each concluded the day 4-1.

Also collecting wins were Kelly Cosgrove (112), Ariel Nacca (119), Jacob Roberts (160), Brandon Dean (189) and heavyweight Trevor Morris.

"Competing in this tournament honoring Terry Pilkington is always meaningful to me personally as well as everyone on this team," said Edmundson. "Terry so was instrumental in making Wayne County wrestling what it has become today. The seeds he planted in the early 90s are something we are all very thankful for."

Southern Wayne placed sixth with a 2-3 slate, while Princeton was seventh with a 3-2 record. Greene Central claimed eighth.