Quillen sets county career-win mark

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 1, 2013 1:47 PM

• Print
• Email

One more record fell.

And Rosewood nearly got a shutout.

Nick Quillen became Wayne County's all-time career-wins leader and the Eagles pinned 11 of 12 opponents during a 78-6, senior night triumph over Tarboro High on Thursday evening.

Quillen stuck the Vikings' Marquell Pitt in 78 seconds, giving him 202 career victories and surpassing the mark of 201 set by Eastern Wayne alum Chris Tesar.

"Another record," grinned Quillen, who marked the occasion by wearing a retro purple-and-gold singlet during the 126-pound bout.

"I was just ready to wrestle. He was strong, was quick, but I was out there on a mission, set another record and help the team out."

Quillen, along with fellow seniors Angel Jaramillo and Nick Lowrey, each retired their wrestling shoes at center mat before the non-conference dual started. Each grappler unlaced their boots, tossed them inside the circle and then removed a link in a chain that team has carried all season to signify unity and family.

Jaramillo collected his 132nd career win in tense fashion over Tarboro junior David Guevara.

A four-year starter, Jaramillo raced to a 7-2 lead after one period and found himself in trouble in the second period. Guevara scored three nearfall points, but couldn't force Jaramillo's shoulders to the mat.

The senior refused to quit.

Jaramillo kept Guevara on the mat and finally secured a pin at the 5-minute, 16-second mark. It was Jaramillo's second victory in three tries against Guevara this season.

"It's tough," Jaramillo said of the third meeting. "You know each other's moves and you have to switch it up a bit. In all, when you face a guy over and over, it's whoever wants it the most and it's a battle.

"I wasn't about to let my team down at all."

Lowrey took the mat after Quillen's historical moment and yielded the initial takedown to Alphonza Garcia. The 132-pounder scored a reversal and notched his 31st victory with an 88-second pin.

"I was kind of nervous," Lowrey said. "He was kind of quick and I knew he was going to take shots, which he did. I just waited for him to take a shot, got out of the way and it worked out."

The Eagles (32-10 overall) beat the Vikings for the fourth time this season on an evening when everything fell into place.

Tarboro (6-21) surrendered two forfeits to start the match, and Kenny Moser's first-period fall over Titus Jackson at 220 pounds started an avalanche that smothered the Vikings.

Heavyweight Rayquon Jones, Malique Boyd, Sam Drew, Jordan Batson, Evan Reiss and Kaleb Smith each recorded a first-period pin. Josh Drew needed four-plus minutes to stick the Vikings' Deshaquan Pate at 152 pounds.

Syhieem Peterson and Blake Dean each drew a forfeit.

"Senior night has always been one of my favorite match nights," RHS head coach Bill Edmundson said. "Every wrestler participating tonight was fired up and ready to wrestle. I think it showed from the very first match to the very last match."