Wrestling

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 16, 2015 1:48 PM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

LILLINGTON - Charles B. Aycock's "Big 3" and Eastern Wayne's Andre Smith have some extra practice time scheduled on the wrestling mat this week.

That's because the foursome qualified for the season-ending N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A state individual championships, which begin Thursday at the Greensboro Coliseum.

The Golden Falcons are sending east regional runner-up Zack Howard, bronze medalist Jacob Dickenson and fourth-place finisher Josh Wallace. Howard, the program's all-time career wins leader, is making his third straight trip to the state tournament.

Dickenson and Wallace are first-time participants.

"Zack expects to place again, if not take it all," second-year CBA head coach RJ Allen said. "(He) has worked extremely hard his four years and will go down as one of the elite wrestlers in Aycock history. Jacob has no quit in him ... gives it everything he has every time he is on the mat.

"Josh is a rising star in the Aycock program, expects to win every time he steps onto the mat. He gets upset if he doesn't, but not at the other wrestler, but with himself. I truly believe he is one that hates losing more than he enjoys winning.

"That's what makes him a winner."

Howard, the No. 2 seed at 126 pounds, pinned his first opponent and drew a second-round bye. He easily handled Fike's Rae'sae Settles in the semifinals before losing to Cleveland's Matthews Cruz-Cruz in the championship match.

Dickenson worked his way through the consolation round and defeated Swansboro's Kasey Hill in the third-place match at 120 pounds. Wallace ended the day 3-2 that included a tough overtime loss to Western Harnett's Jordan Guimont in the third-place match.

Aycock placed 12th overall in the 25-team field with 59.5 points.

Smith entered the regional as the No. 2 and dispatched his first two opponents - Hunt's Marshall Jenkins (3:07 pin) and South Brunswick's Austin Sasser (24-10). Swansboro's Dane Mitchell dropped Smith into the consolation bracket with a first-period fall.

Smith eventually took fourth and clinched his first-ever trip to Greensboro.

The Warriors claimed 18th place with 36 points.

Editor's note: Complete results for C.B. Aycock, Eastern Wayne and Southern Wayne wrestlers can be found on page 5B.