GC grapplers stun Aycock

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 20, 2008 1:46 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Mikey Baker stole a win.

And Greene Central accomplished a first in program history -- a 42-39 victory over perennial wrestling power Charles B. Aycock on Wednesday evening.

Baker just wanted to go the distance with Golden Falcon returnee Brian Diorio at 215 pounds. "Stay off your back" were last-second instructions to Baker from head coach Terrence Green before both grapplers reported to the scorer's table.

Diorio posted the initial takedown, but Baker soon escaped his grasp and earned a takedown of his own. A surprised Diorio tried desperately to break Baker's hold, but yielded the pin with 2.6 seconds left in the opening period.

"We did steal that one," said Green.

The result stunned Aycock coach Mark Bass.

"That's one I didn't think we'd give them," said Bass. "He shouldn't have gone to his back. But it wasn't just him. It's the fact we lost six matches all by pins.

"You stress (in practice) if you're losing, you can't go to your back because you can't win dual matches that way -- even if you have four or five good guys."

Greene Central (1-1 overall) also received pins from Ian Whitson (160 pounds), Sean Moynihan (189), Juan Crespo (112), Alex Smith (125) and John Anderson (140). The Rams' Matthew Jones drew a forfeit at 130 pounds.

"Tonight, we had more intensity ... guys didn't give up," said Green. "Our goal is to get better each match and that's what we're doing."

Aycock (0-1) collected pins from returning part-time starter Statton Paris (152), Kaleb Robinson (171), heavyweight Elvin James Jr., Justin Farrell (119) and Brandon Bailey (140). Farrell and Bailey are returning starters.

First-year starter Thomas Podbesek claimed a come-from-behind, 9-8 decision at 145 pounds. Podbesek fended off a first-period pin and sealed the comeback with a one-point escape late in the third period.

Newcomer David Romo grabbed a forfeit at 103 pounds.

Bass put eight first-year starters on the mat.

"I wanted to see them do what we've been practicing in the room ... execute the things we've been working on," said Bass. "They did, but we're getting in bad position and going to our back. Greene Central put a lot of strong kids on the mat. Physically they were stronger than we were and that was our Achilles' heel tonight."

Both teams return to action Saturday in the 9th annual Falcon Invitational at Aycock. Opening-round matches begin at 9 a.m.

Greene Central 42

C.B. Aycock 39

152 -- Statton Paris (CBA) wbf Johnathan Jones, 2:34; 160 -- Ian Whitson (GC) wbf Charles Pate, 1:59.6; 171 -- Kaleb Robinson (CBA) wbf Gary Conley, 1:11; 189 -- Sean Moynihan (GC) wbf Aaron Foster, 2:39; 215 -- Mikey Baker (GC) wbf Brian Diorio, 1:57.4; Hwt -- Elvin James Jr. (CBA) wbf Tyler Webber, 0:32; 103 -- David Romo (CBA) by forfeit; 112 -- Juan Crespo (GC) wbf James Combs, 1:11.8; 119 -- Justin Farrell (CBA) wbf Brandon Black, 0:18; 125 -- Alex Smith (GC) wbf Jerome Butts, 2:39; 130 -- Matthew Jones (GC) by forfeit; 135 -- Brandon Bailey (CBA) wbf Colin Gay, 4:11; 140 -- John Anderson (GC) wbf Zeb Darden, 1:24.6; 145 -- Thomas Podbesek (CBA) dec. Ian Moynihan, 9-8.

Records: C.B. Aycock 0-1, Greene Central 1-1

Next match: Saturday, Aycock plays host to 9th annual Falcon Invitational