C.B. Aycock and Rosewood roll in Firebird Duals

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on January 19, 2009 1:46 PM

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STANHOPE -- Charles B. Aycock emerged unbeaten in pool play and Brandon Bailey inched closer to the 100-career win mark during the Firebird Duals contested Saturday at Southern Nash Senior High School.

The Golden Falcons (17-7 overall) posted victories over Franklinton, Southern Vance, Tarboro and Northern Nash. One of three returning full-time starters from last season, Bailey ended the day 4-0 and now has 96 career victories.

Aycock's Justin Farrell, David Romo and Statton Paris each logged a 4-0 worksheet. Paris, a sophomore, pinned all four of his opponents and improved to 28-10 this season.

"Bailey and Farrell had another strong day," said Golden Falcons coach Mark Bass. "Both were in control of every match and never trailed in a match throughout the day. Statton, as usual, brought a very high level of intensity to every match.

"Romo is starting to get a good feel for the sport, and coupled with his athletic ability and aggressive nature, is really developing into a solid wrestler."

Brandon Thomas, Bryan Diorio and Jarrod James grabbed three wins apiece. Preston Tucker, Zeb Darden, Thomas Podbesek, Zack McCoy and Aaron Pate also scratched in the win column.

The Golden Falcons surrendered just four pins in four dual matches.

"As a team, we have stressed the importance of avoiding pins in losses and pushing the opponents to get pins when we win, and Saturday was our best performance as a team in doing so," said Bass, whose team has won 14 of its last 15 dual matches.

"Our goal is to keep taking a step up every time we go onto the mat, continue developing our mat presence and avoiding pins. If we can do those things these last four weeks, the season will end successful."

While Rosewood experienced individual success in the day-long Firebird Duals, the Eagles -- as a team -- fashioned a 1-4 record.

"We took a beating today," said Rosewood coach Bill Edmundson.

The Eagles (16-7 overall) dropped decisions to No. 1-ranked teams Cary (4-A) and Louisburg (1-A); perennial power Raleigh Millbrook and Nash Central. Edmundson's squad concluded the day with a rout of Southern Nash.

Joshua Holmes rolled to a 5-0 record and climbed to 34-1 this season. Teammate Zach Behrend took Cary's Ben Creed, the reigning 103-pound 4-A state champion, into the third period before surrendering a pin.

Behrend ended up 3-2 on the day.

"I thought we wrestled well against Louisburg, considering we gave up three forfeits," said Edmundson. "Against Nash Central, injuries and forfeits prevented us from winning. The match was very tight and we ended up losing by three points.

"Against Southern Nash, we finally put together a good match. By the time we got to the fifth match of the day, everyone was tired but I reminded the team that Southern Nash had taken the same beatings we had taken.

"They accepted the challenge."

Aycock returns home Wednesday against county and Eastern Carolina 3-A rival Southern Wayne. Rosewood travels to Princeton on Tuesday, and entertains Eastern Wayne on Thursday.