After not attending last years State Tournament due to not qualifying anyone, I was very excited about returning to it this year in a new venue with the hopes that it would be really great event. However before I begin to complain about how big of bust it was I would like to first congratulate Inigo Hughes for being there. As well as all the wrestlers from the Big South that competed this past weekend. I would to especially recognize Josh Smith from Ashbrook for becoming a State Champion. Spending all season with that number one ranking is a pressure cooker. I don’t care what anyone says, but Josh took care of business and proved he truly deserved to have the rank he did.
Some other highlights of the weekend…….
Parkland qualifies 14: Love em or hate em, that is an unbelievable feat to accomplish and had previously never been done. Congrats to them for truly being the best team in the state. Possibly ever.
I met Cody and Kurt Stephens big brother. I remembered him from when he wrestled at Saint but had never officially met him. He approached me about a comment I made on the NC wrestling forum and wanted to let me know he appreciated it. I thought that was nice, he seems like good people and I’ve really enjoyed watching his brothers wrestle of the last few years.
Mark Harris of Enka has newly dubbed the head and arm the ” Gaston County Lock-up” lol, I thought that was hilarious, and you’d have to see our local newspaper online section to fully appreciate it. http://local.gastongazette.com/lockup/
Hunter Dunn from South Point: Down 15 to 1 in the second period in the quarter finals and fights back to pin the JM Robinson 103 and advance to the semi’s
Inigo hitting one last lateral before his career was over. In the first round Inigo lost to the eventual State Champion, but in his next match vs a CB Aycock wrestler he got his hooks in one last time and gave somebody a ride.
Chase Warren places 5th: Sophomore Chase Warren of Ashbrook has been no sleeper this year. He’s had quite an impressive sophomore year. I for one however highly doubted his chances in his 5th and 6th place match. The guy he wrestled from South Rowan was an absolute beast. Chase hung in there after going down early and snuck in a banana split that was about as tight as they come to pull of an upset pin as time in the period expired.
Disappointments of the Weekend:
Parade of Champions sucked!!!! This is always one of the most prestigious points of the tournament and it was absolutely crapped on this year. I don’t know why and I really don’t care why but the NCHSAA should be ashamed. Anyone who has ever witnessed the POC before knows how great it is and I really hate it for anyone that participated in it this year who expectations where definitely not met. I only hope that the State and the Greensboro Coliseum can make up for it next season.
Over priced, poor food selection……. 20oz drinks (pepsi products, water, gatorade) 4:00 WOW, and the food was absolutley horrible. At least in the past we knew we were gonna pay out the @$$ for some Bo-Jangles.
No possible 4 timers. It’s always something extra special when someone has a chance to pull this off. It’s an elite class of wrestlers that have accomplished this feat and It’s always a privilege to see someone do it.
No East Gaston Placers: I was really pulling for the Grigg Brothers this weekend, and I hate they did’nt have their best weekend. I hope Jesse is Ok from his ankle sprain and I know John will get back to work and come back next season much improved and with a chip on his shoulder. I’d hate to be in his weight class what ever it may be.
Well it’s March 1st and the 2009-10 season is officially over.