CBA wrestling

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 24, 2012 1:47 PM

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BETHEL -- Senior Daniel Romo earned Most Outstanding Wrestler accolades and Charles B. Aycock finished runner-up during the team portion of the 2012 North Pitt Panther Invitational contested Saturday.

Romo claimed the 132-pound division with a 2-minute, 30-second fall over Ayden-Grifton's Brandon Armstrong. A returning state qualifier, Romo emerged one of nine Golden Falcons to place among the top four in their respective weight classes during the day-long, nine-team event.

Aycock compiled 157 points, but couldn't catch the 182-point effort produced by Invitational champion Ayden-Grifton, which is the reigning N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A eastern regional dual-team champion.

Grey's Creek finished six points behind Aycock, followed by North Pitt with 150.5. Southern Vance rounded out the top five with 89.5 points.

"It was a great day for having six starters out of the lineup due to injury and vacations," Golden Falcons' head coach Marc Peck said. "Daniel was in our view ... the tournament's outstanding wrestler dominated two state qualifiers. Zack (Howard), Daniel and Khaleil (Owens) continue to lead this team with their outstanding efforts on the mat."

Howard secured the 106-pound gold medal with a 30-second pin of Ayden-Grifton's Jarmonie Tolbert. Owens squeaked out a 9-7 decision over South Central's Jaedon Locke in the 160-pound title match.

First-year starter Jacob Dickenson and Jorge Flores recorded runner-up finishes at 113 and 220 pounds, respectively. Teammates Ryan Morton (195 pounds) and Trent Marquard (138) each took third.

Jaquan Walker (145) and Alyssa Wychunas (182) each placed fourth. Wychunas fought off her back on four different occasions and pinned Edenton Holmes' Damien Jordan to reach the medal round.

C.B. Aycock returns to action Saturday when it plays host to the multi-team Terry Pilkington Memorial Duals. First-round action begins at 9 a.m.