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Two South Stanly wrestlers placed high in consolation matches at the second annual North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Women’s Wrestling Invitational at Carolina Courts in Concord.

The event demonstrated the growth of women in wrestling and showcased the top high school female wrestlers in the state.

In the 120-pound class, South Stanly’s Ruby Eason climbed through the consolation bracket to reach its finals after dropping her opening match by fall to Reagan Riddick of First Flight High.

Eason won in the third round by forfeit over Mahogany Brown of Ledford before pinning Jessica Cui of the North Carolina School of Science and Math 42 seconds into the semifinal match.

Trinity Knauf of South Point High defeated Eason in the consolation finals by fall at the 3:52 mark.

Savanna Hurley, wrestling in the 182-195 class, won her first-round match by fall over Aliya Kirkpatrick of Mallard Creek High School, scoring the pin 56 seconds into the match, but was dropped into the consolation bracket in the second round, by a 5-2 decision to Julissa Jaramillo of Rosewood High.

In consolation action, Hurley recorded two wins, both by fall. After pinning Isaura Morales of Northern Durham at the 3:17 mark of her second match, she dropped Josie Sell of R.J. Reynolds High at 1:29 to advance to the consolation semifinals.

In semifinal action, Hurley lost by fall at the 2:22 mark to Northwood High’s Dream Walker.

According to James Alverson of the NCHSAA, this year’s event saw 182 female wrestlers, an increase of 101 over last year’s initial event. Due to the increase in registrations, the tournament featured 14 weight classes.

The 106-, 113- and 120-pound classes featured A and B Brackets. There were brackets in 126, 132, 138, 145 and 152 pounds as well. The competition combined wrestlers in the 160/170-pound divisions, 182/195-pound divisions and the 220/285-pound divisions into a single bracket for each weight class pairing.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News & Press.