Eagles turn back C.B. Aycock

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 4, 2010 1:46 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Still the bridesmaid.

Rosewood prevailed in seven of 11 contested matches and claimed the 11th annual Terry Pilkington Memorial Duals championship with a 47-27 decision over Charles B. Aycock on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles became just the third county team to win the event, which honors the late Pilkington, who guided the Golden Falcons to prominence before his death in 1998.

"The Pilkington Memorial tournament is very special to Rosewood, honoring a man who was so instrumental to the early development of wrestling in Wayne County," said Rosewood coach Bill Edmundson. "It's even more of an honor for us to win this tournament."

Southern Wayne won back-to-back Pilkington crowns in 1999 and 2000. Aycock seized seven consecutive titles beginning in 2001 before finishing runner-up to Washington in 2008 and 2009.

"Coach Edmundson's team was well prepared for this event and he has done a great job building one of the best wrestling programs in eastern North Carolina," said Aycock coach Marc Peck.

Rosewood (14-5 overall) marched into the championship match with wins over defending champion Washington, long-time nemesis North Johnston and Greene Central during pool-play competition. Aycock (10-4) advanced with victories over Manteo, Princeton, Wilson Fike and D.H. Conley.

The Eagles dominated the upper weights in the title tilt.

Tyler Dean ignited a match-clinching 32-0 run with a third-period fall over the Golden Falcons' Jordan Lee at 145 pounds. Teammates Jamie Wooten (171 pounds) and Cameron Lane (215) each logged a fall, while Josh Pipkin earned a technical fall at 152 pounds.

Jacob Roberts secured a nail-biting, 11-10 decision over Kaleb Robinson at 171 pounds. Taylor McGill picked up a forfeit during the surge.

"Cameron has really come on strong in the past few weeks," said Edmundson. "It's amazing what a little bit of confidence will do for you. Jacob and Cameron have both worked hard on their endurance and technique, and it's really paying off now."

Rosewood also received points from Chris Lane (103), Nick Quillen (112) and Scott Pate (135). Quillen and Pipkin each have 25 individual victories this season.

Aycock collected wins from Justin Farrell (119), Daniel Romo (125), Preston Tucker (130), Aaron Pate (140) and junior heavyweight Jarrod James.

"Justin is in midseason form after a torn tricep has kept him out for most of the season," said Peck. "We are pleased with the progress of the team thus far. This was a great tune-up for our first conference match with South Johnston as we pursue our primary goal of a conference championship."

Match time is Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Pikeville.

The Eagles travel to Greene Central on Friday and visit Ayden-Grifton on Saturday for the Carolina/Four Rivers 1-A Conference duals. The top two finishers earn berths in the N.C. High School Athletic Association dual-team playoffs.