WHS wrestlers

capture individual

NWC honors
By Andy Kruse
Special to the Democrat

It was the main event at Lentz-Eggers Gym Saturday when Watauga High hosted the Northwest 4-A Conference Wrestling Championships. Seven teams came out to earn their status and South Caldwell went home the winner with 201 points. The Pioneers took fifth place with 88 points.

Watauga had first place finishes from Jacob Earp at 135 pounds and Savva Kostis at 145. They also had second place finishes from Jason Wood at 125 and Justin Hyatt at 152.

The titles were never in question for Earp and Kostis.

Earp who was awarded Most Outstanding Wrestler from the tournament and is currently ranked first in the state in his weight class, kept control in his final match despite a broken nose from last week. He had Billy Abee from East Burke wrapped up until pinning him 1:26 into the second period.

“I would have pinned him earlier but was waiting for the perfect set up,” Earp said. “I’m keeping things tight for state.”

Kostis, who is still ranked second in his weight class in the state, took only one minute in his final match to make three take downs and a smooth pin on Chris Kirby from South Caldwell.

“Was that polished enough for you?” said Kostis responding to an earlier comment on his polished style.

Wood came through with his best performance of the season. After dislocating his opponent’s shoulder in his semifinal match, he made a heart filled showing in the final. Getting out of several close calls, he almost turned a last minute reversal into a pin on Freedom’s Andony Mejia, but ended up loosing 11-6.

“I’m mad, I could have won,” Wood said. “I’ll see him in regionals.”

Hyatt, now ranked sixth in state, spent most of his final on top attempting to pin Dustin Potter from South Caldwell. It was close all the way down to the wire, but Potter was able to fend him off and win 5-2.

“It’s my fault,” Hyatt said. “He got tired and I let him rest but should have kept up the pace.”

Another strong Pioneer showing came from William Pinkerton at 130, who lost 5-3 in the match for third place.

Ethan Henson who was favored to place at 103 was out with bronchitis.

Watauga coach James Eichmiller was pleased with his guys but wants to see more.

“We’ve got to turn it up and be more aggressive,” Eichmiller said.

South Caldwell coach Billy Miller complimented the way Watauga’s staff ran the tournament.

“The Northwestern Conference is like one big team who all pulls for each other, except from across the mat,” he said. “The Watauga staff did a great job with the event.”

The Pioneers will be preparing for regionals coming up in two weeks. Eichmiller plans to polish up on the basics and make sure they are in good shape.

“I’m gonna wear them out this week and then taper off,” he said. “At this point in the season there’s not much more we can do, most of the hard work is done.”

NWC Wrestling Championships
Team Results
South Caldwell — 201
Alexander Central — 162
Freedom — 149
East Burke — 133.5
Watauga — 88
AC Reynolds — 48
McDowell — 10

Winner by Weight Class
103 – Che Lee, Alexander Central
112 – Cody Hampton, South Caldwell
119 – Brett Boston, Freedom
125 – Andony Mejia, Freedom
130 – Chris Townsend, South Caldwell
135 – Jacob Earp, Watauga
140 – Christian Mejia, Freedom
145 – Savva Kostis, Watauga
152 – Dustin Potter, South Caldwell
160 – Jesse Nelson, South Caldwell
171 – Blake Salyer, Alexander Central
189 – Blake Baker, Alexander Central
215 – James Dela Riva, Alexander Central
285 – Tyler Shatley, East Burke\