Aycock, RHS grapplers compete in duals

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on January 18, 2010 1:46 PM

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STANHOPE -- Wayne County wrestling rivals Charles B. Aycock and Rosewood combined for five dual-team victories during the Thomas Cowles Firebird Memorial Duals contested Saturday at Southern Nash.

Aycock finished 2-2 in the day-long competition.

Rosewood ended up 3-2.

"Some of our young wrestlers got to see for the first time what it will take to be on the level of a state qualifier," said Golden Falcons head coach Marc Peck. "Cary was unmatched in their technical proficiency. Outstanding programs at the middle school level are essential to be successful in a sport like wrestling at the high school level.

"This is one reason we have worked so hard to get our program started this year."

The Golden Falcons defeated Rocky Mount and Southern Vance, but lost to defending state champion Cary and Raleigh Millbrook in pool play. Senior 119-pounder Justin Farrell logged a 4-0 individual record, while heavyweight Jarrod James concluded the day 3-1. Teammates Nick Simmons and Jonathan Rudolph each turned in 2-1 efforts.

Zach Behrend's second-period fall over Southern Nash's Vishal Patel clinched the Eagles' come-from-behind, 42-39 win over the Firebirds in their final dual of the day.

"Everyone wrestled to their potential in the Southern Nash match and with us being shorthanded all day, we were very fortunate to come away with three wins," said Rosewood coach Bill Edmundson. "This tournament has always been very competitive for us and inevitably becomes a humbling experience.

"Last year, we won only one match."

This time, Rosewood avenged an earlier loss to Louisburg and rolled over Franklinton. The Eagles lost back-to-back contests against Northern Nash and Millbrook before upending Southern Nash.

Behrend, Chris Lane and Josh Pipkin each finished the day 4-1.

Rosewood (22-7 overall) entertains Hunt at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, and gets a home rematch with Southern Nash on Thursday.