Wrestling trio
maps out plans
By Andy Kruse
Special to the Democrat

The top three Watauga wrestlers will all be graduating this year. Jacob Earp and Savva Kostis look to continue wrestling while Justin Hyatt will go on to the Army

It was almost a guarantee in every match this season that Earp, Kostis, and Hyatt would get wins for Watauga.

And not to mention make it pretty to watch.

Earp was the powerhouse who destroyed his opponents, finishing second in state at 135 pounds.

Kostis was the artist that manipulated his opponents. He also finished second in state at 145 pounds.

And Hyatt was tall and strong, controlling his opponents and the pace of the match. Hyatt took third in state at 152 pounds.

Earp plans to go on and wrestle at Appalachian State. He will continue training hard and compete at the senior nationals in Virginia Beach, Va. Only state finalists are invited to this tournament.

Kostis will also compete in senior nationals as, but is unsure at this point about his wrestling future. He has offers from ASU, UNC Pembroke, and Gardner Webb.

He wants to continue on the mat, but has also been very successful as a kicker for the Pioneer football team.

“I don’t want to stop wrestling, but I really like kicking too,” Kostis said. “At this point, I’m gonna try to do both.”

Hyatt plans to hang up his wrestling shoes as he has enlisted for the Army Airborne Rangers. Growing up in a military family he has been around it his whole life.

“It has been a dream of mine to serve my country since I was a kid,” Hyatt said.

He reports to basic training June 17th.

The road ahead will be challenging for the Watauga squad without these guys.

“Next year will be interesting,” Watauga coach James Eichmiller said. “The team will be a lot younger, we’re gonna have to work hard in the off season.”