Golden Falcons pin Golden Demons

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 8, 2009 1:46 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Less than a month ago, the youth-laden Charles B. Aycock wrestling team didn't seem to have much confidence.

But a runner-up performance in the Louisburg Duals before Christmas and positive workouts during the two-week holiday vacation have turned the Golden Falcons' season around.

Senior 135-pounder Brandon Bailey collected his county-leading 27th victory of the season as Aycock pounded Wilson Fike 53-15 in non-conference action Wednesday evening. The Golden Falcons (13-7 overall) claimed their ninth win in their last 10 dual-team outings.

"It looks like our Christmas work is paying off," said Aycock coach Mark Bass. "We got a good effort out of everybody and the conditioning looked good. We did a good job staying off our backs tonight.

"The difference was not giving up pins and we kept a good (point) spread."

The Golden Falcons prevailed in eight of 10 contested individual matches and received three forfeits from the short-handed Golden Demons, who exited with a 2-9 worksheet. Bass' team improved to 3-2 against Wilson County opposition this season and could see Fike's wrestlers again Saturday at the Wilson County Invitational.

Bailey (27-4) earned his eighth consecutive victory with a come-from-behind, 10-5 decision over Fike's Tyler Newman. The Golden Demon freshman owned an early advantage in the second period before Bailey reversed his position and earned critical nearfall points.

Bailey outscored Newman 4-1 in the final period.

"Brandon wrestled a really good smart match," said Bass. "He wrestled a very good wrestler and that kid (Newman) is going to have a good future in front of him, I think."

Fellow Aycock grapplers Justin Farrell (119 pounds), Statton Parris (152) and Bryan Diorio (215) each seized their 24th individual win of the season. Farrell survived a sluggish third period to record a five-point decision, while Diorio avenged a loss with a first-period pin of Cam Jernigan, who pinned Diorio at the Louisburg Duals.

Parris prevailed for the seventh straight outing with a 9-1 major decision over Golden Demon junior Hunter Meyers.

"Every time Statton takes the mat, he goes out there with high energy," said a smiling Bass. "He goes out there to work and did that tonight. He gave a strong effort ... moved the kid around on the mat and was in control from start to finish."

The Golden Falcons got victories from Thomas Podbesek (140), Charles Pate (145), Brandon Thomas (171) and heavyweight Jarod James. A first-year competitor, James outlasted the Golden Demons' Anderson Singleton 2-1 in overtime.

"He wrestled smart and didn't do anything to get himself in trouble," said Bass of James. "Jarod was working ... couldn't quite finish. He didn't lose his composure or get frustrated. The other kid was waiting for him to make a mistake so he could score, and Jarod didn't."

Nick Redding (189), David Romo (103) and Preston Tucker (125) each drew a forfeit.

C.B. Aycock 53

Wilson Fike 15

140 -- Thomas Podbesek (CBA) maj. dec. Sam Toler, 12-2; 145 -- Charles Pate (CBA) wbf Justin Goodson, 3:10; 152 -- Statton Parris (CBA) maj. dec. Hunter Meyers, 9-1; 160 -- Josh Andrews (F) wbf Aaron Foster, 1:17; 171 -- Brandon Thomas (CBA) wbf Andrew Blease, 2:34; 189 -- Nick Redding (CBA) by forfeit; 215 -- Bryan Diorio (CBA) wbf Cam Jernigan, 1:09; Hwt -- Elvin James Jr. (CBA) dec. Anderson Singleton, 2-1 (OT); 103 -- David Romo (CBA) by forfeit; 112 -- Vincent Webb (F) by forfeit; 119 -- Justin Farrell (CBA) dec. Dylan Gaissert, 13-8; 125 -- Preston Tucker (CBA) by forfeit; 130 -- Bradley Watson (F) dec. Zeb Darden, 10-9; 135 -- Brandon Bailey (CBA) dec. Tyler Newman, 10-5.

Records: C.B. Aycock 13-7 overall, Fike 2-9

Next match: Saturday, Aycock at Wilson County Invitational