Aycock's Wychunas makes most of first mat appearance

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on December 22, 2011 1:48 PM

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WILSON -- Alysa Wychunas finally got her chance.

And boy, did she make the most of it.

Called into active duty at the last possible moment, Wychunas filled in for an injured Charles B. Aycock teammate and posted a stirring victory that earned approval from a roaring crowd inside the Ralph L. Fike gymnasium.

Wychunas' 4-3 victory over Golden Demon 170-pounder Tyler Boykin helped the Aycock wrestling team roll to 51-24 win during the inaugural Wilson-Wayne Challenge.

The Golden Falcons turned back Beddingfield 39-33 and Hunt 45-33, and exited with a 17-1 dual-team worksheet this season. Meanwhile, county grappling rivals Eastern Wayne and Goldsboro each concluded the night 0-3.

Aycock headed into the Challenge without 182-pounder Broc Doyle, who suffered a broken rib during a recent match. Head coach Marc Peck and his staff pondered forfeiting the weight class, until Peck decided to give Wychunas a shot.

As Boykin checked in at the scorer's table, Peck shouted for Wychunas to "strap 'em up" and head to the mat. The junior executed a pair of two-point moves and hung on for the one-point win.

"We were really excited for Alysa," said Peck. "Two years of hard work really paid off."

The Golden Falcons' Zach Howard, Jordan Bailey, David Romo, Charlie Mills, Khaleil Owens and Jorge Flores each went 3-0 during the Challenge. Romo's pin over Kenan Walston clinched the outcome against Hunt, while Bailey earned a match-deciding pin over Beddingfield senior Reggie Yelverton.

Aycock extended its win streak to nine matches.

"Beddingfield was tough to predict with so few matches under their belt," said Peck. "Their middleweights really stepped up their game. This is a special group (we have). Their hard work, self-discipline and team focus has contributed to one of the best starts in school history."

Warriors finish 0-3

Eastern Wayne 106-pounder Brice Heller and senior Austin Helm (152 pounds) each recorded a 3-0 mark on the night. Heller pinned two opponents and drew a forfeit, while Helm picked up a major decision, pin and decision.

Jason Reid (132), Quadrick Williams (160), Angelo Jones (182) and heavyweight Blake Terrell each ended the night 2-1. The short-handed Warriors (8-10) also received individual wins from Warren Kirkwood, Robert Hill, Darrian Adkins, Jamel Barrett and Brett Chapman.

Eagles go 3-2

GREENVILLE -- Four Rosewood grapplers concluded the night unbeaten, and the Eagles finished 3-2 as a team during the North Pitt Christmas Duals contested at the Boys and Girls Club.

Angel Jaramillo (113 pounds), Nick Quillen (126), Quadre Ayers (160) and Taylor McGill (195) each finished 5-0. Teammates Jacob Guthrie, Malique Boyd, Chris Lane, Samuel Drew, Evan Reiss, Josh Drew and Kaleb Smith each tasted victory at some point during the six-team event.

Rosewood (16-6 overall) defeated D.H. Conley, Roanoke Rapids and Gray's Creek, and suffered losses against Corinth-Holders and host North Pitt.