WRESTLING: Rosewood wins 1A east, will face Robbinsville for state title

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 3, 2017 9:59 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

DURHAM -- Rosewood's wrestling machine is clicking on all cylinders and that's become bad news for its opponents during the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A dual-team playoffs.

The Eagles proved it again Thursday evening.

Heavyweight Nyterrius Williams earned the match-clinching points with a 66-second fall over Uwharrie Charter Academy's Wilson Rankin in a 39-36, semifinal-round victory.

Voyager Academy provided little resistance in the eastern regional title contest. The Eagles (42-3 overall) built a 24-0 lead through the first five individual bouts and rolled 54-12.

Rosewood seeks its second consecutive dual-team state title Saturday at Smoky Mountain Conference member Robbinsville. A match time has not been determined.

"The wrestlers are starting to see their hard work pay off," Eagles head coach Bill Edmundson said. "We are not going to surprise anyone like we did last year. Everyone knows this team and everyone brings their 'A' game against us. The guys have their eyes on the goal and have the determination to finish the job."

Chris Hill (120 pounds), Reid Amodeo (126), Jordan Todd (132) and Louis Tortual (138) helped Rosewood race to a 23-0 lead over Uwharrie Charter Academy. Hill and Tortual pinned their respective opponent, while Todd earned an 18-2 technical fall that ended 11 seconds into the third quarter.

Amodeo drew a forfeit.

Jayden Thomas' major decision at 152 pounds gave Rosewood its biggest advantage, 27-6. Uwharrie Charter rallied to within 27-21 before the Eagles' Cameron Helt and Williams each posted pins at 195 and heavyweight.

Hill, Amodeo, Tortual, Thomas, Helt and Todd each logged 2-0 worksheets on the night. Todd improved to 44-7 on the mat this season.

"Jordan is hitting his peak here at postseason time," Edmundson said. "(He's) wrestled some of the toughest matches in the state this season is proving his number one ranking at 138 pounds. (He) has put on a clinic for the past week against his opponents."

Seth Finney, Christian Decatur and Tim Decatur each emerged victorious against Voyager. Tim Decatur climbed to 54-0 and is just seven wins shy from tying the single-season Wayne County record for victories (61) set by Rosewood alum -- and two-time state champion -- Nick Quillen.

Robbinsville (21-5) advanced with victories over Mt. Airy and Elkin. Elkin denied Mitchell County's bid for a fourth consecutive appearance in the state championship. Mitchell won state crowns in 2014 and 2015, and lost to Rosewood a year ago.