Three VCHS wrestlers win conference championship

Jan. 26—CREEDMOOR — Three Vance County Vipers — Clarence Debnam, Antoine Doyle, and Maurice Jackson — were all crowned conference champions on Wednesday after the Vance County wrestling team traveled to South Granville to compete in the conference tournament.

Ultimately, Vance placed fourth overall out of nine conference teams present. Tallying 127 total team points, the Vipers were one point shy of tying Carrboro for third.

Ja'leik Skipworth made weight so the Vipers were working with their full 10-grappler lineup. Charles Doyle agreed to let Maurice Jackson start as the Vipers' heavyweight.

In conference, unlike dual-team meets where you go head-to-head, individual champions are crowned at the end of each double-elimination division — but team rankings are based on a point system surrounding the performance of each wrestler. A first-round pin earns two points, a win is a half-point, and the further a wrestler advances into their bracket, the more team points are awarded.

Maurice Jackson dominated in his first performance, twice slamming the Carrboro grappler heavily into the mat and earning a pin in the first round.

In his second match, the defensive lineman tackled his opponent to the ground and beat his opponent by points after the end of three rounds. And finally, the big man defeated South Granville senior Cameron Horton 14-8 to earn first place in the conference.

Charlotte Wortham and La'Nautica Johnson were both bracketed in the boys' division for the competition. Wortham pinned her first opponent from South Granville to advance to the second round.

"I was trying to keep it cool on the mat," said Wortham, despite wanting to celebrate her victory.

"She surprised me," said her teammate Antoine Doyle.

The junior is no stranger to pins himself. The cradle, wrapping one of your partner's knees with both arms like a WWE finisher, is the older Doyle's favorite move, and used it effectively on Wednesday to earn himself a conference crown. With his performance, Doyle now holds a career record of 11-1.

Earning fourth place in the 120-lb division, Vance County freshman, Seth Williams, won 10-1 against the grappler that handed him his first loss in his varsity debut earlier this season. Ensnaring his opponent with a "mean ankle pick," Williams gained dominant positioning with his quick thinking.

"I just saw an ankle, and went for it," said Williams, who was pinned in his first match.

Carrboro's Enrique Kaufman was Johnson's first opponent. Kaufman came out swinging, overwhelming Johnson with his pace, and pinned the sophomore in over a minute into the first round. But for her last match, Johnson wrestled South Granville's Conner Horton for a chance at a third-place finish.

The entire gymnasium gathered to witness a feat of pure will, as Johnson pried herself free from the grip of Horton to escape into the third round. Johnson worked her way around her opponent, sprawling and denying takedowns with ease. After the loss, strangers came up to Johnson to congratulate her on her performance.

"You looked tough out there, you have potential — stick with it," one person told her.

Johnson was pinned with a minute left in the third round, trailing by only one point.

In his finals match, Skipworth was dominated, giving up top position and quickly pinned by South Granville's Brandon Mann, who claimed the 113-lb conference title in 37 seconds.

"Sit up here now, I know it really stinks," said Carroll to Skipworth, who was visibly upset with the loss.

Carroll coached the young grappler on how to better prepare for aggressive opponents looking to take advantage of early opportunities. Teammates also offered support as they walked by.

The trials of young wrestlers just getting their feet wet can be agonizing, but the highs can justify the lows. The Vance County wrestling team has proved that through adversity, grit, and strength, results can be gained and improved upon.

"Let's go we're still in this," Carroll yelled as Aiden Foster narrowly avoided a pin, but the junior fell shortly after to a DSA Bulldog.

Conference Championship Individual PlacementsJa'leik Skipwith (So) — 113 lbs (No. 2)

Seth Williams (Fr) — 120 lbs (No. 4)

La'Nautica Johnson (So) — 126 lbs (No. 4)

Clarence Debnam (Jr) — 132 lbs (No. 1)

David Carrillo (Jr) — 138 lbs (No. 2)

Jamonté Youngs (Jr) — 144 lbs (No. 3)

Charlotte Wortham (So) — 150 lbs (No. 4)

Aiden Foster (Jr) — 162 lbs (DNP)

Antoine Doyle (Jr) — 190 lbs (No. 1)

Maurice Jackson (So) — 263 lbs (No. 1)