Photo from OHSwrestling.com
With the Tiger Holiday Wresting Classic coming up next week at Chapel Hill High, Orange geared up by winning the Eastern Alamance Eagle Classic at the Mebane Arts and Community Center.
The Panthers took first place with 252.5 points behind individual championships from four wrestlers. Northwest Guilford finished 2nd with 232 points, while Northern Guilford came in third with 193.5.
Josiah Ramirez, Daylan Alston, Bailey Hawkins and Braden Homsey each claimed championships in their respective weight classes. It was the 2nd individual championship for each of those grapplers this month after they all took home their respective crowns at the Jim King Invitational at Orange on December 3rd.
Hawkins won the 132-pound championship with a 6-4 decision over Eastern Guilford’s Matthew Bivens. It was the only time in four matches that Hawkins didn’t score a pin. On Friday, Hawkins pinned Western Alamance’s Greg Gold in :58. In the quarterfinals, Hawkins finished off Eastern Alamance’s Jason Odekirk in 1:22. In the semifinals, Hawkins pinned Willard Moshenek of Dan River in 1:05. Hawkins, a senior, is now 13-1 on the season with eight pins.
At 182, Josiah Ramirez remained undefeated by pinning Daniel Morales of South Granville in 1:41 for the championship. Ramirez, now 14-0 with ten pins on the season, was extended beyond the first period only once the entire tournament. In the opening round, Ramirez pinned Greyson Herrera of N.C. School of Science and Math in 2:58. After that, Ramirez had three first period pins in his final three matches. In the quarterfinals, Ramirez A.C. Biagioni in :26. Ramirez started Saturday by pinning Luke Gordy of Northwest Guilford in :31.
Braden Homsey earned the championship at 195 by pinning Northwest Guilford’s Jacob Hardy in 3:50. Homsey started the eight man tournament by scoring a major decision over Garret Hope of Bishop McGuinness 15-3. In the semifinals, Homsey earned an injury forfeit win.
Daylan Alston, the Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, pinned Bartlett Yancey’s Josh Stewart in 1:36 to win his latest title. Earlier on Saturday, Alston earned a spot in the finals by pinning Northern Guilford’s Paul Kluttz in 3:52. On Friday, Alston disposed of East Chapel Hill’s A.J. Britt in :29. In the quarterfinals, Alston defeated Eastern Alamance’s Terrell Owens 7-1. Alston is now 15-0 with ten pins on his senior season.
In addition to the four champions, Orange had four runners-up. At 113, Mitchell Askew finished 2nd, falling in a tight championship match to Bartlett Yancey’s Jacob Wright 8-7. Askew earned a spot in the finals by pinning Santiago Rios of Dan River 1:43.
In his first major tournament, Orange’s Justin Hutchins finished 2nd at 120. Northwest Guilford’s Shane Chavis earned a major decision over Hutchins 11-2. Hutchins defeated NCSSM’s Ryann Greenblatt in 4:35. Hutchins opened the tournament with a 15-3 major decision over Millbrook’s John Seagraves 15-3.
Gavin Wiggins finished second at 126. On Friday, Wiggins opened with a 11-8 victory over NCSSM’s Hunter Wood. Wiggins advanced to Saturday following a technical fall over Northwest Guilford’s Zane Ducat. In the semifinals, Wiggins defeated Green Hope’s Tyler Couture 16-4.
At 160, Avery Jenkins had a runner-up finish, falling to Northern Guilford Josh King 5-1 in the finals. Jenkins advanced to the finals with a 7-0 decision over David Spencer of Bishop McGuinness.
At 220, Jake McBroom finished third, pinning Eastern Guilford’s Salvador Garcia in 2:22 in the consolation final.
CT Lopeman finished 5th at 138, while Mario Manduiano finished 5th at 152 and Trey Jones placed 5th at 170.
In its final dual match of 2017, Orange faces Cedar Ridge at Red Wolves Gymnasium on Wednesday at 7, following by the start of the two-day Tiger Invitational on Friday.