WRESTLING: Aycock's Hughes has historic day on the mat

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 13, 2017 9:59 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

SHALLOTTE -- Ice water flowed through his veins as Tyler Hughes tackled his chores with a workman-like attitude Saturday afternoon.

And he reaped a historic reward.

Hughes emerged as the first-ever Charles B. Aycock freshman to win an eastern 3-A regional individual crown, and became just the third ninth-grader in program history to qualify for the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A individual state championships.

"Before the season began, (assistant coach) Mark Bass told me that Tyler would be a starter from the start," CBA head coach Brian Doyle said. "After just a couple of practices, it was evident he would be and that he'd probably od well his first year on varsity."

Boy, did that become an understatement.

Hughes continued his sterling campaign on the West Brunswick mats during regional action. He pinned Rocky Mount's Amari Brown midway through the second period, and squeaked out a 6-5 decision over Jacksonville's Clay Langfeldet in the semifinals.

Nash Central's Joshua Brice was no match. The stronger, agile and fundamentally-sound Hughes earned a pin with four seconds left in the opening period.

Next came a rematch with top-seeded Zach Leinar of Cleveland. Hughes beat Leinar for the second time this season -- a nail-biting, 3-2 decision.

"A hard-fought win," Doyle said.

Hughes (48-11 overall) showed little excitement. He had his hand raised in victory, removed the band from his ankle, shook the opposing coach's hand and got pats on the back from Bass and Doyle.

Later in the evening, teammate Joshua Wallace finished runner-up at 182 pounds. The top-seeded senior defeated West Brunswick's Sayvon McCray, Triton's Jarrell Cowan and Jacksonville's Milton Chandler. He endured a 3-2 loss to Havelock's Kendall Frazier in the 182-pound final.

Wallace suffered just his fourth loss in 52 outings this season.

The senior's poise pleased Doyle.

"He rose up, graciously congratulated his opponent and then their coaches before coming over to his coaches, family and friends," Doyle said. "He wanted that title and it didn't happen. So it's diappointing from the coaches' perspective, but we know that the ultimate goal is next down the road in Greensboro."

Heavyweight Torrence Franklin ended the regional 2-2.

Austin Doyle, the coach's son, broke his collarbone during a consolation-round 106-pound match against Eastern Wayne senior Mario Harper and couldn't continue. He trailed 6-5 when the injury occurred.

Doyle ended the season 33-11.

Aycock's Chris Parks, Jonas Creel, Zack Creel and James Reser also competed in the two-day affair.

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Southern Wayne's Tim Taylor is headed to Greensboro.

The 195-pounder dropped his opening-round match to Nash Central's Alex Nobles, but worked his way through the wrestleback portion of the double-elimination event.

Taylor recorded four consecutive pins against Fike's Jamonta Isler, Tyre Cameron, Tarboro's Tyler Dempsey and earned a rematch with Nobles -- which ended 26 seconds into the first period.

Corinth-Holders' Seamus Brennan beat Taylor in the third-place match.

Taylor became the first SW wrestler to qualify for the state meet since 106-pounder Tristan Bass and 160-pounder John Futrell each made the trip in 2008.

The Saints also got solid efforts from Luis Velasquez, Raekwon Hardy, Lucas Davis, David Gomez, Devante Jackson, Matthew Phelps, Willie Leonard, Kimari Johnson and Jefferson Whitfield.

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EW's Harper filed a 3-2 worksheet on the day.

Emmanuel Harper, Jaleek Lewis, Victor Skinner, Nate Matthews, Anthony Ackee, Dilissus Council and Joseph Scofield also competed. Lewis, Skinner, Matthews and Scofield combined to win five individual bouts.