Watauga wrestlers

settle for second, third
By Andy Kruse
Special to the Democrat

WINSTON-SALEM — Watauga’s top three wrestlers all finished in the top three in their weight classes in the 2008 state 4-A wrestling championships at Lawrence Joel Coliseum Saturday.

However, none of them were able to bring back a state championship to the High Country.

Watauga’s Jacob Earp (135) and Savva Kostis (145) both finished in second place and Justin Hyatt (152) finished in third.

For most, a second-place finish in state would be very satisfying. But for Earp and Kostis, two seniors who were both expecting to bring home championships, it was quite disappointing.

“It’s frustrating to lose to people that they have beat and could have beat again,” Watauga coach James Eichmiller said. “They didn’t perform to their best.”

Earp, who spent his junior year out with an injury, had been waiting for this match for two years. And it came down to the wire against a familiar opponent in Chris Townsend of South Caldwell.

Earp beat Townsend for the regional championship. At the state match, which was close throughout the entire three periods, each wrestler unable to do much against the other.

Earp was ahead after the first period 4-2 but Townsend took the lead 5-4 in the second with a near pin on Earp who was just able to get off his back.

Earp started the third period down and made a quick escape to tie the match 5-5. They butted heads until Townsend got a take down in the last 10 seconds to earn the victory 7-5.

Kostis, who finished second last year, had been focused all year on closing his high school career with a state title. But he was unable to defeat Brendon Parker-Risk from Cary High, to whom he had also lost earlier this season.

Kostis led 4-1 after the first period, but Parker-Risk scored big in the second and almost pinned Kostis, taking the lead 8-6.

Kostis lost his usual steam in the third period and lost by pinfall with 1:43 left in the match.

“We all have disappointments in life, but we have to go on.” Eichmiller said.

Hyatt, on the other hand, was pleased to end his senior year with a victory and a third-place finish in state. He wrestled solid in his final match and defeated Gray Gerald from Raleigh Wakefield 7-0.

Most wrestlers who make it that far start wrestling in middle school, but for someone like Hyatt who didn’t get on the mat until the ninth grade, this sort of success is rare.

“I was fortunate to have good wrestlers to practice with and to watch win,” said Hyatt. “I’m happy with my season.”

As a team, Watauga finished seventh with 60 points. Cary won the team event with 174.4 points.

Despite the tough losses to Earp and Kostis, Eichmiller has a positive outlook on his coaching experience this year.

“These guys are three of the best wrestlers Watauga has seen in a long time,” he said. “I’m glad to have had the opportunity to coach them.”