Falcon Invitational -- Aycock's David Romo emerges 119-pound champ

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 10, 2011 1:46 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- The better the competition, the sweeter the win.

Just ask David Romo.

The Charles B. Aycock junior staged a "coming out" party to remember during the 11th annual Falcon Invitational on Saturday. And he went home with the best party favor imaginable -- a gold medal draped around his neck.

Romo stunned two returning state qualifiers in semifinal-round and championship action, and emerged the 119-pound champion on his home mat. He was one of six Aycock grapplers who logged a top-four finish during the 11-team event.

D.H. Conley seized the team title with 121 points, followed by Rocky Mount (114 points) and former Falcon Invitational winner South Central with 100. North Pitt and Eastern Wayne completed the top five with 96 and 95.5 points, respectively.

Aycock compiled 87.5 points.

Seven schools combined to claim 14 individual championships. Each participating team had at least one competitor to place among the top three in their respective weight class. Seven wrestlers protected their No. 1 seed.

"David continues to excel," beamed Golden Falcons head coach Marc Peck. "(He) reached one of his season goals -- an individual champion."

Seeded third in the seven-man bracket, Romo started his title journey with a 15-3, major decision over Hunt's Luigi Medina. Romo edged East Carteret's Tyler Eubanks, 12-11, in the semifinals and scored a two-point decision over top-seeded Patrick Limer from Bunn in the finals.

Teammates Preston Tucker (135 pounds) and Khaliel Owens (152) each picked up a silver medal. Tucker upset top-seeded Michael Thagard from East Carteret in semifinal-round play. Owens turned back second-seeded Jamison Dove from Southern Wayne in their semifinal encounter.

Newcomer Broc Doyle ended up third at 189 pounds, while Nick Jones (103) and Daniel Romo (125) each placed fourth for the Golden Falcons. Overall, 10 Aycock wrestlers won at least one match during the double-elimination individual tournament.

"We are healthy now and should get our lineup right this week in preparation for the Firebird Duals at Southern Nash," said Peck. "Look for us to step up our game as Charlie Mills and Jarrod James return to the lineup."