WRESTLING: Aycock matmen finish 15th overall at Buzzard Brawl

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on January 23, 2017 9:57 AM

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BUIES CREEK -- Charles B. Aycock placed 15th among 27 teams in the highly-competitive, two-day Buzzard Brawl wrestling invitational contested at Campbell University.

The Golden Falcons took 10 grapplers to the meet and nine won at least one individual bout.

"(We) went to play with the big boys," said first-year CBA head coach Brian Doyle, whose team compiled 73.5 points and had one top-five finisher -- heavyweight Torrence Franklin.

"Many of the teams were top 4-A programs -- some highly-ranked in the state."

Franklin stunned sixth-seeded Randy Zepeda of Harnett Central and third-seeded Wesley Albrecht of Cardinal Gibbons on the way to a spot in the semifinals. He dropped into the wrestle-back portion (consolation rounds) with a loss to second-seeded Harley Ellis of Hoke County.

Coming off his first-ever medal performance one week earlier, Franklin claimed fifth with a victory over Southwest Onslow's Colby Rouse.

While Franklin shined on the mat, the Golden Falcons experienced some tense moments during Joshua Wallace's semifinal-round bout at 182 pounds. The senior injured his shoulder during a 4-2 sudden-victory loss to Tyrese Byrd of Overhills.

Wallace (41-3 overall) heard a pop in his shoulder as he attempted to defend the would-be winning move -- a snap slide-by from Byrd. The Campbell University medical staff evaluated Wallace and sidelined him for the rest of the tournament.

"A scary moment for sure," Doyle said.

Doyle added the injury didn't appear serious and Wallace watched from the bleachers with an ice pack wrapped around his shoulder.

"To his credit, Josh wasn't upset he lost, rather simply disappointed that he couldn't continue," Doyle said. "He understood he might lose and knows the big picture, getting back to and winning state. Losing a match isn't going to prevent his focus on his ultimate goal as he finishes his stellar high school career."

Wallace ended up sixth.

Tyler Hughes placed sixth at 152 pounds.

Austin Doyle logged a 3-2 worksheet at 106 pounds. Devin Maldonado (113 pounds), Chris Parks (126) and James Reser (160) claimed two individual apiece.

Justin Pittman (120), Jonas Creel (138) and Zach Creel (145) each won one match.

CBA concludes its regular-season dual-team schedule Tuesday with an Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference tri-meet against host J.H. Rose and county rival Southern Wayne. If the Golden Falcons defeat Southern, they will claim the lone automatic 3-A berth from the split-classification conference.