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Washington’s David B.-Meza pinned his North Pitt opponent in Saturday’s second round dual team state tournament match. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

Senior Christian Price collected a pin against North Pitt in Saturday’s second round state tournament match. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

Pam Pack senor TraQuon Haywood won his first and second round matches in the state wrestling tournament. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

Freshman Brennan Warren pinned his Louisburg opponent in Saturday’s first round state tournament match. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

WHS junior Marek Bates opened the state tournament with a major decision against Louisburg Saturday. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

Washington High School opened the 2A state wrestling tournament with a pair of decisive victories at home Saturday and will advance to the third round Wednesday at a site to be determined. Top-seeded Seaforth HS of Pittsboro, #3 Bunn HS and #4 Southwest Onslow also advanced to the third round.
The second-seeded Pam Pack dispatched #15 Louisburg, 51-28, in the first match, then eliminated Eastern Plains Conference foe North Pitt, 46-29, to move on to Wednesday’s third round.
The 10th-seeded Panthers knocked out #7 North Johnston in the other first round match.
“Our guys showed up ready to go and we took care of our business,” coach Chris Penhollow said. “I thought (freshman) Brennan Warren wrestled a great match against Louisburg and our older guys did what they should have done. Our season is still going and we’ll see where we end up Wednesday.
Junior Marek Bates (190) opened the post-season with a 17-5 rout of his Louisburg opponent, but trailed 22-16 after four early losses. Warren started the comeback with a pin in the 132 lb. class, then Gabe Foreman won a major decision 17-0, and senior TraQuon Haywood pinned his opponent at 165 to clinch the match.
Cam Johnson (215), Keondrick Melton (285), Sam Boltes (106), Bryce Perry (113) and Christian Price (120) won the first five matches against North Pitt for a comfortable lead, then victories from David B. Meza (138), Trent Tucker (144), Evan Makepeace (157) and Haywood ended the Panthers season.

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