Wrestling -- Pilkington Memorial Duals

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 5, 2009 1:46 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock avenged two regular-season losses and emerged runner-up in the 2009 Pilkington Memorial Duals contested on Saturday afternoon.

Washington derailed the Golden Falcons in the finals. The Pam Pack, despite yielding four forfeits, triumphed in six of eight individual bouts and claimed a 42-34 victory.

Rosewood claimed third place with a stunning 42-39 conquest of Carolina 1-A Conference rival North Johnston. Zach Behrend and Joshua Holmes each logged a 5-0 record for the Eagles, who have won eight of their last nine dual-team matches.

"It is always an honor to participate in the tournament recognizing the groundwork Terry Pilkington laid to make Wayne County wrestling what it is today," said Rosewood coach Bill Edmundson.

South Lenoir took fifth, followed by Southern Wayne, Wilson Hunt, Princeton, Greene Central and SouthWest Edgecombe.

C.B. Aycock (12-7 overall) and Washington met in the finals for the second consecutive year. Senior Brandon Bailey (135 pounds) picked up his county-leading 26th victory of the season against the Pam Pack, while Statton Paris pinned his opponent at 145 pounds.

Fellow Golden Falcons David Romo (103), James Combs (112), Justin Farrell (119) and Preston Tucker (125) each received a forfeit. Farrell concluded the day 5-0 along with Paris and Bailey.

Nick Redding finished 3-0. Romo, Tucker, Bryan Diorio and heavyweight Elvin James Jr. ended the day-long, 10-team event with 4-1 worksheets.

"Justin and Brandon both came ready to work Saturday with a goal in mind of leading the team to get some redemption for a couple of early-season losses ... and they did just that," said Aycock coach Mark Bass. "Statton continues to improve on a weekly basis and his wrestling has really been a spark for the team."

The Golden Falcons avenged losses to Greene Central and conference rival Wilson Hunt. Bass' team turned back South Lenoir and North Johnston.

"We had a good day ... definitely took another "step" in the right direction," said Bass. "Some of the first-year starters are starting to figure out the sport. James, Romo and Tucker (all first-year starters) are really beginning to reap rewards from their hard work and listening in the practice room."

Rosewood exited with a target on its back.

The Eagles notched wins against SW Edgecombe, Princeton and Southern Wayne before falling to Washington in pool play.

Edmundson's team responded to the loss by upending the short-handed Panthers in the third-place match. Aaron Keefer's 37-second pin at 215 pounds sealed the victory.

"I have to give Aaron credit because he weighed in at 189 pounds," said Edmundson. "We were very fortunate to catch North Johnston without some of their key starting wrestlers. They are very strong and experienced this year, and we kind of stole that third-place finish from them."

Edmundson said Dillon Guss and Matt Coley continued to wrestle beyond expectations. Josh Pipkin, Taylor McGill and Keefer -- all first-year starters -- filled in at key spots and earned valuable mat time.

"Zach and Joshua are continuing to develop a strong reputation in the area and teams are avoiding them in some cases by bumping around them," said Edmundson. "A forfeit is a win, but we would like to see them get more mat time."

Behrend is 20-2 overall this season, while Holmes is 23-1.

Editors' note: Individual results were not available for Southern Wayne and Princeton.