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Five of the 11 Washington High School wrestlers won their first round match Thursday on the opening day of the 2A individual state tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Freshman Sam Boltes, the top seed in the East at 106 lb., defeated his opponent, the #4 seed from West Lincoln HS, 16-4 to advance in the winners bracket.

Classmate Bryce Perry, the #1 East seed at 113 also advanced with a pin over the fourth seed from South Rowan.

Sophomore Gabe Forman, the second seed from the East at 144, won 11-4 over the #3 seed from N. Wilkes, senior Bryant Smith, the top seed from the East at 157 defeated the fourth seed from N. Stanly, 6-1 and third-seeded sophomore Trenton Baldree recorded a pin over the second seed from N. Wilkes.

The top four seeds from the four regions qualified for the double-elimination event.

Washington wrestlers who have to win their first match Friday to stay alive include senior Christian Price, the top seed in the East at 120, who will face the #2 from the Mideast, senior Braxton Woolard, fourth in the East at 126, who will battle the #2 from the Midwest, David B. Meza, the #2 at 138 vs. the #4 from the Midwest, fourth-seeded Tate Tucker against the #3 from the Mideast at 150, 2nd seeded TraQuon Haywood against the #4 from the Midwest and #4 Marek Bates (190) vs. the #3 from the Mideast.

The action begins Friday morning along with the opening round of the 1A meet.

Northside’s Jacob Robert (113) and Rylan Paul (138) are seeded fourth.