Firebird Duals
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 17, 2011 1:53 PM
BAILEY -- Charles B. Aycock and Rosewood each finished 2-2 and staged yet another classic meeting during the annual Thomas Cowles Firebird Duals contested Saturday at Southern Nash.
And once again, the Eagles prevailed.
Angel Jaramillo and Chris Lane recorded back-to-back pins at 103 and 112 pounds, respectively, in the final two individual matches. The 12-point surge capped a 37-36 comeback and gave Rosewood its third straight triumph over Aycock in four tries this season.
"Every match was key, but one of the big factors was having Angel Jaramillo finally making scratch weight at 103 and going undefeated at the tournament," said Eagles head coach Bill Edmundson. "It's tough to beat a team like Aycock three times during a season. Then throw in the missing starters issue and having to pin the last two opponents ... makes for a stressful day."
Nick Quillen, Zach Behrend and Tyler Thompson pushed Rosewood ahead 18-0 with consecutive pins. Aycock seized the lead at 21-18 behind wins from Preston Tucker, Zeb Darden, Aaron Pate and Zach Rhue.
The Eagles tied the match on Josh Pipkin's decision over Khaleil Owens.
The Golden Falcons (15-10 overall) prevailed in three of the next four individual matches. Nick Simmons (171 pounds) squeaked past Jamie Wooten, while Travion Lewis (215) and heavyweight Jarrod James each pinned their respective opponent.
That set the table for Jaramillo, who went unbeaten on the day; and Lane for the comeback win.
"Knowing it would be a close contest, the coin flip and choice of sending out (wrestlers) on odd/even matches would be critical," said Aycock coach Marc Peck. "(Rosewood) won the toss and Coach Edmundson smiled at me as he knew he had the upper hand. It was another great battle with this exceptional team and we came up just short."
Aycock started the day 2-0 with a 61-9 trouncing of Franklinton and 46-33 conquest of perennial 2-A power Louisburg. The Golden Falcons lost to Rocky Mount for the second time this season.
James and Simmons each posted a 4-0 record on the day.
"Overall, we wrestled well," said Peck.
Rosewood dropped contests against Millbrook and Nash Central, and pinned six opponents in a 54-24 thrashing of Washington. Behrend remained perfect in 30 outings this season, while Quillen improved to a sterling 35-1.
"This is the toughest dual tournament we have been to this season," said Edmundson.
The Eagles travel to Greene Central on Wednesday.
The Golden Falcons visit county archrival Eastern Wayne on Tuesday. The winner seizes sole possession of the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference race.