State duals runner-up Avery County wrestling turns focus to retaining individuals crown
Avery County wrestling quickly exploded out to a 21-point lead over Uwharrie Charter, thanks to the heart of the team’s lineup in the NCHSAA 1A dual team state championship.
But the Eagles roared back.
Uwharrie Charter (34-1) outscored Avery County 30-6 in the final seven weight classes to clinch its second consecutive state title with a 36-33 victory Saturday in Greensboro. It also was the second consecutive year that the Vikings have fallen to the Eagles in the state championship.
“Beginning the year, we weren’t a very good dual team at all,” Avery County coach Matthew Dunn said. “But we got to the weights that we needed to.
“We had some younger guys get a little bit better throughout the year and made it to the state finals, which unfortunately we didn’t do good enough.”
Dunn credited Avery County’s growth for its success this season. The Vikings finished 30-2.
He said he had several sophomores step up, like Barrett Potter at 165 pounds and Alexandero Ical Tuil at 106. Other wrestlers, like Johnathan Gragg and Grayson Hoilman at 157 and 285, who were in only their second year in the sport, also rose to the occasion.
Seniors Grant Reece and Benjamin Jordan were critical in developing the younger and inexperienced wrestlers.
“They’re good little quiet leaders that just work,” Dunn said. “They’re constantly there, and they constantly do the right things to set the examples for other guys to follow.”
Dunn and the Vikings also had the good fortune of staying healthy despite only having 18 wrestlers on the roster.
“We really struggled to fill holes in the lineup,” he said. “So we had to (stay healthy) in order to win dual teams, just figure out the best place we can put our studs and see where we can get our matchups in and get the most points we can.”
Now Avery County will focus on the individual state tournament that begins Friday with regionals.
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The Vikings will travel to Robbinsville, which will host the 1A West Regional. They will be attempting to defend their 1A individual team title from last season.
“It’s almost like the start of a new season,” Dunn said. “You kind of put the dual team away. Pretty much from here on out other than seeding, everyone has the same record.”
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Avery County wrestling takes aim at another state individuals crown
