Greene Central and South Lenoir Wrestlers Advance from Regionals to State Championships
This past weekend, Ayden-Grifton High School was the battleground for the NCHSAA 2A East Regional Wrestling Tournament, where local athletes showcased exceptional talent and determination. Wrestlers from South Lenoir High School and Greene Central High School delivered standout performances, earning their spots in the upcoming state championships.
South Lenoir High School
113 lbs: Senior Joseph Maples (30-8) dominated his bracket to claim the championship title. After receiving a bye in the first round, Maples pinned William Harrington of North Pitt High School in 3:00 during the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he continued his momentum with a pin against Macon Daugherty of Ayden-Grifton High School at 3:49. Maples secured the championship by pinning freshman Euniek Mayfield of Pasquotank County High School in just 2:56.
126 lbs: Senior Angel Crespo (24-12) showcased resilience, earning a second-place finish. Crespo advanced with a first-round bye, then pinned Rodrigo Resendiz-Garcia of East Carteret High School in 1:50 during the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he secured another pin against Benjamin Caudill of Ayden-Grifton High School at 4:29. Facing Bryce Perry of Washington High School in the finals, Crespo was defeated by technical fall at 3:07, with a score of 18-3.
132 lbs: Senior Bladen Davis (37-10) demonstrated exceptional skill, capturing the first-place position. After a first-round bye, Davis pinned Luis González of Spring Creek in 2:21 during the quarterfinals. He continued his dominance in the semifinals with a pin against Tucker Massie of Washington High School at 4:25. In the championship match, Davis overpowered Bernard Joseph of Greene Central High School, achieving a technical fall in just 1:49 with a score of 16-0.
157 lbs: Senior Hayden Tyndall (29-8) battled fiercely to secure a second-place finish. Tyndall began his journey by pinning Caleb Daniels of Goldsboro High School in 2:12 during the first round. In the quarterfinals, he continued with a pin against Joaquin Garcia of Spring Creek at 2:52. The semifinals saw Tyndall advancing due to a disqualification of his opponent, Trenstin Bolden of Southwest Onslow High School. Unfortunately, a medical forfeit in the championship match against Mario Cardenas of Pasquotank County High School prevented Tyndall from competing for the title.
165 lbs: Junior Brayden Burd (25-14) showcased determination, finishing in fourth place. Burd started strong with a major decision victory over Alex White of Roanoke Rapids High School, 16-7, in the first round. Despite a setback in the quarterfinals, losing by technical fall to Izaak Niedzielski of West Craven High School, Burd rebounded in the consolation bracket. He secured consecutive pins against Jack Aycoth of Manteo High School and Josiah Melton of Washington High School. In the consolation semifinals, Burd pinned Wyatt Ganzert of John A. Holmes High School at 2:21. His tournament concluded with an injury default in the third-place match against Niedzielski.
Greene Central High School
113 lbs: Junior Justin Braylin Artis (29-2) achieved a commendable third-place finish. After a first-round bye, Artis pinned Luis Robles of Heide Trask Senior High School in 3:54 during the quarterfinals. In a closely contested semifinal match, Artis was edged out by Euniek Mayfield of Pasquotank County High School with a 15-12 decision. Demonstrating resilience, Artis rebounded in the consolation bracket, pinning William Harrington of North Pitt High School in 1:35. He secured third place by pinning Mckeon Hart of Roanoke Rapids High School at 3:53.
132 lbs: Senior Bernard Joseph (31-7) delivered a strong performance, finishing as the runner-up. Joseph began with a first-round pin against Dawson Cowan of West Craven High School at 1:50. He continued his dominance in the quarterfinals, winning by major decision over Marcos Romero of Ayden-Grifton High School, 14-3. In the semifinals, Joseph secured another major decision victory, 15-6, against Tajion Heath of North Pitt High School. Facing Bladen Davis of South Lenoir High School in the championship match, Joseph was defeated by technical fall at 1:49, with a score of 16-0.
Collectively, these outstanding performances propelled South Lenoir to a fifth-place team finish, while Greene Central secured the 11th spot in the team standings.
Looking ahead, the top four wrestlers in each weight class have qualified for the NCHSAA Individual State Wrestling Championships, scheduled for February 20-22, 2025, at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro. This prestigious event will feature the state's elite wrestlers, with matches commencing on Thursday, February 20, and concluding with the championship finals on Saturday, February 22. For detailed scheduling and ticket information, visit the official NCHSAA website.
As these dedicated athletes prepare for the state championships, their schools and communities stand proudly behind them, eager to witness their continued success on the mat.
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