Three Pioneers

headed to state
From staff reports

WEDDINGTON — There are no real sure things in athletics, but there are some high possibilities of events turning out the way they are expected.

Such as, Jacob Earp and Savva Kostis returning to the state 4-A wrestling finals. They, and Justin Hyatt, qualified for the state meet by winning their weight classes at the Western 4-A Regional held Saturday at Weddington High.

“I was really happy,” Pioneers coach James Eichmiller said. “We had three champions and that’s a good feeling. Savva and Jake have been there before, but Hyatt’s never qualified, so it’s special for him.”

Earp (135 pounds) won all four of his matches and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

He won his first three matches by pinfall, and beat South Caldwell’s Chris Townsend 13-6 in the finals.

Eichmiller said it’s possible that Earp and Townsend could meet again in the state finals. Earp beat Townsend 3-2 in the NWC tournament, but in the regional, Earp executed six takedowns to pull away with the victory.

Earp reached the state tournament final last year, but settled for second place. So did Kostis, but the senior 145-pounder cruised to a 4-0 record in the regional.

Kostis, who also won two matches by pinfall, beat Zachary Chantrenne of Gastonia Ashbrook 15-3.

Eichmiller likes how Earp and Kostis were able to dominate their weight classes Saturday.

“They looked about as good as they can look,” Eichmiller said.

In the 152-pound finals, Justin Hyatt beat Ricky Waters of East Mecklenburg 6-3. The Watauga trio can do no worse than a No 4 seed in their weight classes, which will have 16 wrestlers in each.

Watauga finished fifth in the team competition with 101 points. Butler finished first with 172.5 pounds, followed by South Caldwell with 162.5. Alexander Central ws third with 123.5 and Freedom fourth with 117.

East Burke was sixth with 98, while A.C. Reynolds and McDowell tied for 21st with seven points.

Western 4-A Regional
Overall team results
1. Butler 172.5
2. South Caldwell 162.5
3. Alexander Central 123.5
4. Freedom 117
5. Watauga 101
6. East Burke 98
7. South Mecklenburg 91.5
8. Harding 80
9. Myers Park 74.5
10. East Gaston 73.5
11. Weddington 72
12. East Mecklenburg 69.5
13. Ashbrook 55
14. Berry Academy 41
15. Ardrey Kell 40
16. Providence 34
17. Independence 24
18. West Mecklenburg 24
19. Crest 22
20. Garinger 17
21t.AC Reynolds 7
21t.McDowell 7

Championship Finals
103—Ty Kinslow (Butler) d. Garrett Woods (South Mecklenburg) 9-8
112—Tom Puckett (Butler) p. Peter Beseda (East Mecklenburg) 2:42
119—Brett Boston (Freedom) d. Josh Tegard (Butler) 8-2
125—Darius Potts (South Meck.) d. Alex Stanley (Butler) 5-2
130—John Eskridge (Freedom) p. Brandon Merolf (Butler) 5:13
135—Jacob Earp (Watauga) d. Chris Townsend (South Caldwell) 13-6
140—Joseph Dela Riva (Alexander Central) d. Michael Ameckson (Harding) 2-1
145—Savva Kostis (Watauga) m.d. Zachary Chantrenne (Ashbrook) 15-3
152—Justin Hyatt (Watauga) d. Ricky Waters (East Mecklenburg) 6-3
160—Travis Puckett (Butler) d. Dallas Winters (Freedom) 13-6
171—Blake Salyer (Alexander Central) p. Jon Hartley (South Caldwell) 2:34
189—Denison Paiva (East Mecklenburg) p. Darien Green (Harding) 0:39
215—James Dela Riva (Alexander Central) m.d. George Haddock (Myers Park) 16-3
285—Tyler Shatley (East Burke) d. Scott Harmon (South Caldwell) 5-0
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Jacob Earp, Watauga 135 pounds.