C.B. Aycock matmen dismantle Demons

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 9, 2008 3:54 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock lost half its starting lineup to graduation, leadership and a state champion one year ago, but head coach Mark Bass isn't seeking sympathy.

He's simply rebuilding with wrestlers who have silently waited in the wings for their chance to start for one of the state's elite programs. With seven first-year varsity starters in action Tuesday evening, the Golden Falcons dismantled Wilson Fike 75-3.

Bass couldn't have been more pleased.

"The guys were upbeat the whole time ... really backed each other up tonight," said Bass. "It was a good dual match for us. We got a good consistent fight from everyone across the board."

C.B. Aycock (14-5 overall) posted the first takedown in 11 of 12 contested matches and finished with 22 takedowns overall. Bass' team yielded just two nearfall points the entire match and didn't relinquish a pin to the Golden Demons, who had 10 first-year grapplers in their lineup.

"We looked solid on our feet tonight," said Bass. "Every match we won, we got the first takedown. Another stress of mine this week after the (Pilkington Duals) is not getting caught on our backs.

"We looked better on bottom tonight, too."

Competing with an injury-riddled lineup and missing two starters, Fike could never sustain any momentum in the 1-hour, 7-minute affair. The Golden Demons (2-11) surrendered two forfeits and allowed four pins before 215-pounder Cameron Jernigan extended Aycock's Jarrett Covar to three periods.

Covar, ranked No. 7 among the state's 3-A competitors, posted an 11-2 decision. By then, the Golden Falcons owned a commanding 40-0 lead which ended up 52-0 before the Golden Demons averted the shutout.

"That's why you want to wrestle teams like Aycock because I knew it would be a learning experience for us," said Fike head coach David Earp, who spent time in the Golden Falcon athletic department. "You'd rather wrestle the best and see the level (of competition) where you need to compete at.

"We were going up a big hill tonight. I can't complain with the effort because you have to keep an open mind with such a young team. The kids kept fighting and didn't give up."

Aycock's Drake Gurley (119 pounds) and heavyweight Khiry Reid each reached the 30-win plateau with first-period pins. Kevin Carmel (135) pounds collected his team-leading 31st victory of the season, while 160-pounder Josh Grimes improved to 29-8 with a one-minute fall over Josh Andrews.

The Golden Falcons also received victories from Ryan Butts (152), Freddie Coley (171), Bryan Diorio (189), Nick Bentley (103), Joseph Conner (125) and Brandon Bailey (130). Bentley returned to the mat after a three-week absence due to a skin infection.

Jacob Marple (140) and 145-pounder James Jones each drew a forfeit.

Vincent Webb (112) claimed Fike's lone individual win.

"We still need to get more consistent and are working our way toward it," said Bass.

Aycock returns to action Saturday in the sixth annual TDR/Wilson County Invitational at Wilson Beddingfield. First-round matches are tentatively scheduled for 9 a.m.

C.B. Aycock 75

Wilson Fike 3

140 -- Jacob Marple (CBA) by forfeit; 145 -- James Jones (CBA) by forfeit; 152 -- Ryan Butts (CBA) wbf Hunter Meyers, 3 minutes, 39 seconds; 160 -- Josh Grimes (CBA) wbf Josh Andrews, 1:00; 171 -- Freddie Coley (CBA) wbf Walter Stanley, 0:20; 189 -- Bryan Diorio (CBA) wbf Sam Evans, 5:43; 215 -- Jarrett Covar (CBA) maj. dec. Cameron Jernigan, 11-2; Hwt -- Khiry Reid (CBA) wbf Robert Hodges, 1:27; 103 -- Nick Bentley (CBA) wbf Eli Frazier, 0:54; 112 -- Vincent Webb (F) dec. Justin Farrell, 7-2; 119 -- Drake Gurley (CBA) wbf Bradley Watson, 1:04; 125 -- Joseph Conner (CBA) tech fall Jon Montgomery, 20-5 (4:50); 130 -- Brandon Bailey (CBA) wbf Jordan Tyndall, 0:30; 135 -- Kevin Carmel (CBA) wbf Reid Lewis, 4:50.

Records: C.B. Aycock 14-5, Wilson Fike 2-11.

Next match: Saturday, C.B. Aycock at 6th TDR Invitational, Wilson.