By Staff
Staff Reports
WINSTON-SALEM — It was a rough first round for the five Washington Pam Pack wrestlers at the NCHSAA Class 3-A state meet.
All five lost in the opening round of the state championships, held Friday at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Senior Rodney Putney and freshman Justin Moore were able to win in consolation action to keep their seasons alive, and keep their hopes alive of earning medals.
Meanwhile, freshman Daniel Garcia, sophomore Gabriel Gardner and sophomore Jonnie Smallwood were eliminated on Friday with two losses apiece.
Putney was pinned by Trinity senior Clay Rice (52-12) in their first-round match at 145 pounds. Rice got the pin in 5:03.
In the first round of the consolations, Putney kept his season alive with a win in the first round of the consolations. Putney topped St. Stephens sophomore Brandon Lackey (31-20) with a 15-4 major decision.
Putney (30-6) will wrestle in the second round of the consolations this morning against R.S. Central junior Kegan Whiteside (53-10) or Charles B. Aycock senior Bryant Lancaster (50-3).
Moore dropped a major decision to Ragsdale senior Oris Hopkins (36-9) at 152 pounds. Hopkins posted a 16-3 victory.
In the first round of the consolations, Moore also continued his season thanks to a victory in the first round of the consolations. Moore pinned Tuscola junior Tyler Lamanna (32-19) in 1:30.
Moore (38-7) will look to extend his season in this morning’s second round of the consolations. He’ll face Concord senior Mike Poppiti (34-14) or Southern Alamance senior Lee Mann (40-3).
Garcia lost by pin in the first round to Ragsdale junior Patrick Graham (43-3) at 103 pounds. Graham pinned Garcia in 1:56.
In the first round of the consolations, Garcia dropped a 6-2 decision to North Gaston senior Will Hoyle (41-9).
Garcia finished the season with a 15-20 record.
Gardner lost by technical fall in the opening round to Enka senior Mark Taylor (56-8) in the 119-pound division. Taylor posted a 16-0 win.
In the first round of the consolations, Gardner lost a heartbreaker, falling 10-9 to Gray’s Creek sophomore Patrick Wells (54-30).
Gardner finished with a 29-15 record on the year.
Smallwood was pinned by Parkland junior Larry Barron (69-8) in the first round of their 189-pound match. Barron needed just 25 seconds to record the pin.
Smallwood’s season came to an end with a loss in the first round of the consolations. Smallwood was pinned by Morehead junior Greg Stanfield (54-21) in 3:12.
Smallwood finished his season with a 15-19 record.