18th Eagle Invitational: Strong competition awaits grapplers

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 13, 2013 1:50 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

It's baaaaaaack ... and stronger than ever.

The 18th installment of the Eagle Invitational, the longest-running individual tournament in Wayne County, will feature some of the state's top grapplers from the Outer Banks to the Triad area.

Several wrestlers enter the day-long competition unbeaten and all 14 weight class championships are up for grabs. No defending title-holders return for the tournament, which begins Saturday at 9:15 a.m. at Rosewood High School.

Admission is $10.

"We have always had a great mix of 1-A to 4-A schools from different regions (each year)," Rosewood head coach Bill Edmundson said. "This is a great opportunity to wrestle people we don't normally see, and find out just where we are in terms of tough competition."

Eight of the 20 participating teams advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association dual-team playoffs last winter. Rosewood emerged the eastern 1-A runner-up, while perennial power Topsail finished runner-up in 3-A eastern action.

Ayden-Grifton was the 1-A state dual-team runner-up in 2012.

Edmundson said several returning state placers and state qualifiers will headline this year's Invitational. He surmised the 182-pound class could be the toughest to crack.

There are five previous Invitational team champions in the field, including 2012 winner Holly Springs. Also back are two-time champ Millbrook, which won back-to-back crowns in 2010 and 2011; Pine Forest (2009), Jacksonville White Oak (2005) and Charles B. Aycock (2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007).

"I think Holly Springs might be the odds-on favorite," Edmundson said.

Rosewood finished among the top seven teams for the sixth consecutive year in 2012. The Eagles had just three placers, but racked up considerable points in the consolation rounds.

Aycock placed eighth a year ago.

"There is going to be some great competition this weekend and it will give us a chance to see how we match up against some of the best teams in the state," first-year CBA head coach Ronnie Allen said. "I look for Zack (Howard) to bring in a top-three finish."

Allen also anticipates good outings from freshman duo Joshua Wallace and Tyler Marquard. Trent Marquard should return to action after missing a few days due to medical reasons.

Eastern Wayne ended up 14th in last year's Invitational. The Warriors look to put a full lineup on the mat after getting their football players back earlier this week. Senior Quadrick Williams went 2-2 in the Invitational a year ago and teammate Rashaun Pridgen enters the tournament 9-2 overall this season.