Aycock grapplers clinch share of 7th ECC title in program history

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 22, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock's wrestling team assured itself of two things Wednesday evening.

One -- another regular-season championship.

Two -- a 17th straight appearance in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A dual-team playoffs.

The Golden Falcons turned both preseason goals into reality during their 54-18 triumph over short-handed and injury-riddled Eastern Wayne on the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference scene. Aycock seized its first regular-season league title since 2011 and seventh overall in program history.

"As a team, we've had some ups and downs, but most of the year we've wrestled well," second-year CBA head coach RJ Allen said. "Tonight, there was a good team atmosphere out there. The kids were coaching each other up, and we had some kids to step outside their normal weight classes who did a great job."

The Warriors surrendered 30 points on forfeits, while the Golden Falcons triumphed 24-18 in actual contested matches. Just three bouts resulted in pins, while four of the remaining five went the six-minute distance.

The lone exception was at 126 pounds. Aycock senior Jacob Dickenson claimed career win No. 105 with an 18-3 tech fall over Cainen Miller.

"Giving up five forfeits is pretty difficult going in (to a match)," said EW head coach Michael Daughtry, who has one wrestler out with a broken hand and another waiting for clearance from a doctor due to a possible concussion.

"The boys wrestled hard, did a great job. I can't ask for a better group of people to be part of this team. Aycock is a good team with a great coaching staff. I am very proud of what everybody did tonight."

Eastern Wayne sophomore Mario Harper started the match with a 7-1 decision over CBA's Austin Doyle. The Golden Falcons took the next eight individual bouts -- four forfeits, a 58-second pin from 120-pounder Chris Parks, Dickenson's tech fall, Daniel Bryant's major decision at 145 and Josh Wallace's 9-3 triumph over Justice Johnson at 160.

The Golden Falcons (15-8 overall, 5-0 ECC) and Warriors traded forfeits at 170 and 180 pounds. Eastern Wayne won two of the final three matches -- a first-period pin by 195-pounder Andre Smith and a 2-0 decision by heavyweight Bryan Wooten.

Smith improved to 13-0 this season.

"Andre was a football player like most of our seniors and came in about five or six weeks late," Daughtry said. "With the value of matches he's had, he's my outstanding wrestler on the team. And Bryan is injured at the moment."

Aycock's Brandon Washington pinned Andre Collie nearly midway through the second period.

The Golden Falcons improved to 26-0 all-time in the series.

"Our team wrestled well," Allen said. "When you're not giving up pins, you're going to have a pretty good match. It's not just being aggressive and doing your best.

"They think through the moves and you can tell a lot of the stuff (drilled at practice) is becoming instinct (on the mat)."