Talented grapplers headline county's longest-running event

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 7, 2012 1:47 PM

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There's not too many places where you can enjoy quality wrestling and good food at the same time.

Rosewood is definitely one of them.

More than 20 teams and 300-plus wrestlers will vie for 42 medals in 14 weight classes during the 17th installment of the Eagle Invitational -- the longest-running individual tournament in Wayne County.

Admission is $10 for the all-day event, which is hosted by Rosewood High School. No outside food or drink, and no coolers are permitted. Spectators will be required to wear a wristband to gain re-entry into the facility if they leave.

Two-time defending Eagle team champion Raleigh Millbrook headlines a field that includes eight squads who advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association dual-team playoffs last winter. Other teams to watch include former Invitational champions Charles B. Aycock and Jacksonville White Oak; Cleveland, perennial 2-A power North Pitt, Corinth-Holders and Holly Springs.

Rosewood has recorded five straight top-seven finishes.

The Invitational includes 14 unbeaten grapplers, among them Rosewood's Nick Quillen. The senior became the program's first-ever state champion last February and will put his 69-match win streak on the line.