WRESTLING: CBA clinches 21st straight appearance in dual-team playoffs

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on January 26, 2017 9:57 AM

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GREENVILLE -- The streak remains intact.

Charles B. Aycock clinched its 21st consecutive trip to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A state dual-team wrestling playoffs with a tri-meet sweep of J.H. Rose and county rival Southern Wayne on Wednesday evening.

The Golden Falcons (17-9 overall) throttled the host Rampants 57-22 and cruised past the Saints 56-24. CBA clinched the lone automatic 3-A postseason berth awarded to the split-classification Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference.

The playoffs begin Jan. 31.

Six CBA matmen finished the night 2-0 -- Austin Doyle, Devin Maldonado, Zack Creel, Tyler Hughes, Joshua Wallace and heavyweight Torrence Franklin.

"(Torrence) is on a hot streak," Golden Falcons head coach Brian Doyle said. "He got a forfeit, but when he did go out to wrestle tonight, he dominated. He's really been listening to one of our assistant coaches and nailing everything he's taught.

"They're in perfect unison."

Southern Wayne (5-13, 2-4 ECC) got pins from David Gomez (132 pounds), Devante Jackson (138) and Kimari Johnson (160). Tim Taylor drew a forfeit at 195.

The Saints dropped a close 39-36 decision to Rose.

Louis Velasquez (113), Lucas Davis (126) and Willie Leonard (152) each pined their respective opponent. Jackson, Matt Phelps (145) and Johnson each picked up a forfeit.

Rose (4-17, 1-5 ECC) pulled out a 14-10 decision at 195 and benefited from three consecutive forfeits at 220, heavyweight and 106 pounds.

"That's been our forte all year," SW head coach Frank Stauffer said. "We've been giving up points in four weight classes all year and it's hard to come back (from that). We were taking it to them very good at the beginning."

All three teams return to action Saturday in the season-ending ECC individual championships at New Bern. Opening-round action begins at 10 a.m.

"Even though we didn't fare well in the conference, a lot of our guys actually did well inside the conference (individually)," Stauffer said. "We'll see what happens. We need some of these guys to play high in (the) conference (tournament) so they can get some good seeds in the regional."