SW-Manteo wrestling

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 27, 2008 1:46 PM

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DUDLEY -- Forget the score.

Just wrestle.

Despite forfeits in half the weight classes, Southern Wayne and Manteo got some quality time on the mat Tuesday evening. The short-handed Redskins owned the edge in contested matches, but the Saints walked away with a 51-19 victory.

"We have three returning starters from last year and we put mostly sophomores and freshmen on the mat tonight," said second-year Saints head coach Jonathan Jones. "All I wanted to see was good wrestling. I wanted them to do the techniques we worked on in practice ... wrestle hard and tough. I think they did that tonight."

Manteo brought seven grapplers on its 31/2-hour bus ride from the coast. The Redskins (0-1) earned two falls, a major decision and decision. However, 103-pounder James Korbach suffered a first-period shoulder injury and defaulted to Saints freshman Ryan Gross.

"I saw some mistakes, but these are the first matches some of these kids have ever had," said Redskins coach Bryan Thomas, who wrestled at the U.S. Naval Academy. "It's a young team and we're looking to improve upon that. We do have three (returning) studs with wrestling experience."

The Redskins' Jaunce Freeman (130 pounds) and Justin May (135) each triumphed before the Saints got back on the board. Dustin Richards, coming off a gold-medal effort in the Falcon Invitational, rallied for an 8-7 victory over 145-pounder Shane Brinn.

Brinn, who normally wrestles 135, turned Richards on his back late in the first period and couldn't secure the pin. Richards returned the favor in the second period and almost had a fall, but Brinn escaped to force a decisive third period.

Leading 8-6, Richards held on for the decision.

"I encouraged Bryan to bump (Brinn) at 45, so we could have a good match there," said Jones. "They were two experienced guys."

Manteo answered with back-to-back pins by Rick Bateman and Chad Parks at 152 and 160 pounds, respectively. The Saints' Minek Ford concluded the night with a second-period fall over Theo Copanezas at 171 pounds.

"Win or lose is not a concern for my younger kids, especially if they see an older, experienced guy," said Jones. "I just want to see them wrestle tough. I'm going to cheer for them, win or lose, as long as they're wrestling tough."

Southern Wayne's Matt Sparks (112 pounds), Noah Peacock (119), Miles Bradshaw (125), Tevin Pride (140), Devin Lee (215) and heavyweight Greg Taylor each received a forfeit.

Southern Wayne 51

Manteo 19

Hwt -- Greg Taylor (SW) by forfeit; 103 -- Ryan Gross (SW) inj. def. James Korbach, 0:36: 112 -- Matt Sparks (SW) by forfeit; 119 -- Noah Peacock (SW) by forfeit; 125 -- Miles Bradshaw (SW) by forfeit; 130 -- Jaunce Freeman (M) maj. dec. Jacob Richards, 10-1; 135 -- Justin May (M) dec. Jamison Dove, 7-5; 140 -- Tevin Pride (SW) forfeit; 145 -- Dustin Richards (SW) dec. Shane Brinn, 8-7; 152 -- Rick Bateman (M) wbf Ethan Brogden, 0:47; 160 -- Chad Parks (M) wbf Ray Teachey, 1:34.6; 171 -- Minek Ford (SW) wbf Theo Copanezas, 3:20.7; 189 -- double forfeit; 215 -- Devin Lee (SW) by forfeit.

Records: Southern Wayne 2-0, Manteo 0-1

Next match: Dec. 2, Rosewood at Southern Wayne