By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENSBORO — Goal accomplished!
Justin “Weasel” Moore and Marquin Hill joined some rare company in Washington Pam Pack wrestling history by winning state championships.
Moore and Hill became just the third and fourth state wrestling champions in Pam Pack history. They joined Russ Chesson, a three-time champion from 1995-97, and Larry Harris, a two-time champion from 1987-88.
“With all the hard work they put into the season, they both deserve it and I’m proud of both of them,” Washington coach Dan Riggs said. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet that we have two state champions.”
Moore has been vying for a state championship ever since he first stepped foot on a wrestling mat. The Washington High School star accomplished that goal Saturday, winning the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A, 171-pound state championship.
Moore, the Pam Pack’s all-time win leader with a 164-18 record, finished his prep career on top. The senior, 44-1 this season, earned a 10-1 major decision over Tuscola senior David Atwood (30-2) in Saturday evening’s championship match at the Greensboro Coliseum.
“It’s incredible,” Moore said. “I’m just overwhelmed with emotion. I don’t know what I’m feeling right now.”
He’s happy that he could end his high school wrestling career in style.
“It hit me after the fact that my high school career is over with,” Moore said. “It’s emotional.”
Being able to share a state championship with Hill made it all the more special for Moore.
“It feels good,” Moore said. “It’s the first time that’s ever been done (at Washington). We’ve helped each other throughout the year. He helped me with my strength and I helped him with his quickness.”
Hill, 47-2 this season and 114-28 in his career, followed suit a short time later. The junior won the 285-pound state championship with a 7-2 decision over Clyde A. Erwin senior James Payne (35-6) in the championship match.
“It feels great,” Hill said. “It took hard work and dedication.
“I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without coach Riggs and coach (Charles) Blumell.”
The two wrestlers racked up 55 points, giving Washington a school-record eighth-place finish among 75 teams. Jay M. Robinson won the team championship with 129 points, followed by Orange (114), Havelock (92), Enka (78), Union Pines (69), St. Stephens (64) and NW Cabarrus (55).
Earlier Saturday, Moore pinned North Buncombe junior Dallas Rice (40-4) in 3:30 in the semifinals.
Moore opened the tournament Friday by pinning Mt. Pleasant’s Christian Carrillo in 1:34. He followed that up with a 7-5 decision over Orange’s Nick Shriner.
Moore became a three-time state placer with his championship on Saturday. He finished runner-up during his junior season and in fourth place as a sophomore.
Hill pinned Enka senior Matt Brock (45-5) in 5:27 in the semifinals earlier Saturday.
He pinned both of his opponents during Friday’s action. The junior opened by taking down Northern Guilford’s Jacob Roberts in 3:47. Hill then pinned South Rowan’s Zach Howell in 3:32.
Hill, whose 47 wins matched Moore and Gabriel Gardner as the most in a single season, became a two-time state placer with his championship on Saturday. He took sixth during his sophomore season.