Robbinsville – The Maroon Devil wrestling team qualified 8 wrestlers to the NCHSAA State Wrestling Championships to be held this weekend in Greensboro. Swain had two Western Regional Champions in Damian Lossiah and Noland Brown (see separate articles for their stories). The Maroon Devils also had four second place finishes on the day.
Jonas Trejo finished 2nd in the 138 pound weight class. On the day Trejo defeated Ethan Puckett (North Stokes), Anthony Evans (Thomas Jefferson) and Johnathan Cable (Avery). Puckett and Evans were both by pin,while Evans was a major decision. In the finals Treho lost a 6-2 decision to Kade Millsaps (Robbinsville).
Lucas Brown finished 2nd in the 145 weight class. Brown pinned Cole Papageorgious (Bradford Prep), then scored a 16-15 decision over Paul Wilhoit (North Rowan). In the semi finals Brown took a major decision (18-6) over Austin Bauguess (East Wilkes). In the finals Israel Maltba won in a major decision over Brown.
Sam Everhardt finished 2nd in the 152 weight class. Everhardt scored a pin in his opening match, over Donavan Berry (Thomas Jefferson). In his second match he scored a sudden victory over James Russ (Avery). In the finals Everhardt pinned Marcus Loving (Bradford Prep). Austin Tumbarello (Mount Airy) downed Everhardt by decision of 11-4.
Cody Long finished 2nd in the 182 weight class. Long pinned his first two opponents, Hunter Flay (Starmount) and Nautica Patterson (North Rowan). In the semi finals he took an 8-5 decision over Nathan Cox (East Surry). In the finals Payne Anderson took a 4-3 decision over Long.
Nathan Brock finished 3rd in the 132 pound weight class. Brock’s long loss on the day came in the 2nd round to Sebastian Perna (Mountain Island Charter) by a 6-5 decision. Brown pinned his next 3 opponents to advance to the Consolation finals, where he faced Perna again. This time it was all Brock as he took a 15-0 tech fall over Perna for 3rd place.
Cyle Ponchot finished 4th in the 195 pound weight class. In the semi finals Ponchot lost to Isaac Wilkinson (Robbinsville). Ponchot then defeated Jayden Blanton (Cherryville) to advance to the Consolation finals, where he dropped a 3-2 decision to John Bennett (Mount Airy)
All six of these wrestlers (as well as Lossiah and Brown) advanced to the State Championships this coming weekend.