South, North wrestling teams compete at event to benefit autism

Published 6:21 pm Tuesday, January 15, 2019

The wrestling teams of South Stanly and North Stanly traveled to Uwharrie Charter to compete in the inaugural Pin Down Autism Super Duals Friday and Saturday.

Along with the Bulls and Comets, the Eagles hosted Oak Grove, East Davidson, North Davidson, North Moore, West Brunswick and West Montgomery at the event.

Proceeds from the tournament were donated to the Autism Awareness and Research Foundation. Eagles coach Chris Waddell’s son, Robby, has autism, and was made a special guest of the event.

“He is our ray of sunshine,” Waddell said, adding autism is a special cause for himself and his family. Uwharrie Charter plans to host the event annually to raise funds for autism research.

The Eagles won the tournament team championship, posting an unblemished record in the two-day tournament.

South Stanly went 4-4 at the two-day event, posting wins over North Stanly (52-30), Oak Grove (41-39), North Moore (54-0) and West Montgomery (58-18). The Bulls lost to East Davidson (53-24), Uwharrie Charter (53-24), West Brunswick (47-24) and North Davidson (51-28).

Two South Stanly wrestlers posted undefeated marks at the event: sophomore Trent Drake at 138 pounds and senior heavyweight Cade Whitley.

Drake posted pinfall victories over North Stanly’s Elijah McCowan, East Davidson’s Bryson Hicks, Oak Grove’s Wyatt Phelps, Uwharrie’s Shane Cuda, West Brunswick’s Thomas Bulak and North Davidson’s Jacob Jeziorowski, along with a 13-5 majority decision over West Montgomery’s William Davis (West Montgomery) and a forfeit win versus North Moore.

Whitley had pinfall wins over East Davidson’s Dylan Stone, West Montgomery’s Devin Cotton and Oak Grove’s Nikolas Everhart, while earning two wins by decision. The senior bested North Davidson’s Carson Scott in a 15-7 majority decision and shut out West Brunswick’s Emery Resendez 5-0. He also had three forfeit wins.

In the head-to-head matchup with the Bulls and Comets, South had pinfall wins by Hunter Barrier at 132 pounds and Khris Mayo at 220 along with Drake’s win and five forfeits. North had two wins by pinfall: Ricardo Bustos (113) and Colby Russell (160). Only one of the matches went the distance, the 126-pound match which saw South’s Jaquavius Caraway post a 10-2 majority decision over Blake Gilbert.

North Stanly also posted a 48-12 win over West Montgomery at the duals. The Comets had pinfall wins by McCowan at 138 and Wes Layton at 170 along with several forfeits.

South Stanly will wrestle at Parkwood this weekend at the Rebel Rouser Duals.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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