Local teams have tough outing at Battle at Little Big Horn

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on January 12, 2009 1:46 PM

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For the first time in Battle at Little Big Horn history, Wayne County wrestlers ended the day without a medal.

Invitational host Eastern Wayne logged a 13th-place finish in the 14-team field with 20.5 points. County rival Southern Wayne fared a little better and grabbed 12th place with 33 points.

The Warriors' Zach Hahn compiled a 3-2 worksheet at 140 pounds. He earned two pins and one major decision, but fell out of medal contention with a 1-0 loss to South Central's James Jones.

Eastern Wayne also received individual victories from Roderick Ayers (112 pounds), Logan Wicks (189) and heavyweight Zach Myers. Myers, the No. 2 seed, pinned Northern Durham's Howard Burchette in 28 seconds. However, he lost his next two matches in the double-elimination event.

Derek Whitman emerged the Saints' top performer with a 3-2 record at 189 pounds. Whitman defeated Wicks in their opening-round match, but dropped into the consolation bracket after a quarterfinal-round loss. He rebounded with back-to-back pins, but was eliminated by Havelock's Thurman Green.

Dustin Richards (145), Matt Sparks (112) and Miles Bradshaw (125) each won their first-round match for Southern Wayne. Bradshaw ended the day 2-2 overall, while Richards and Sparks concluded the invitational with identical 1-2 records.

Perennial 3-A powerhouse Havelock easily defeated Coastal Conference rival South Central 193.5-156 for the team championship. Louisburg captured third place with 146.5 points, followed by Raleigh Athens Drive (143.5) and Washington (129).

South Johnston 171-pounder Raheem-Dewitt Simmons earned the Most Outstanding Wrestler award. Simmons, the No. 2 seed, pinned all three opponents, including a second-period fall over Washington's Justin Moore in the championship match.