Young Team Off to Promising Start

Freshman Tyler Spurling wins both matches Tuesday night.

     2005 was the last time the Warriors beat West Lincoln, but Tuesday night our young team pounded the Rebels' young team 62-18 losing only 3 matches.
     The toughest test of the night came in the first match against defending 1A Dual State Champions West Wilkes. It was a see-saw battle and EG fell behind 30-13 before we came into the strength of our line up (113-152). East got pins from Jack Reep, Eric Harvey and Jacob Grigg. With freshman Tyler Spurling getting a major decision and Mark Bedard adding a decision the match came down to three key match ups. Jared Bassett's 1-0 win over state runner-up Jake St. Germain. Alex Leford's 7-3 victory over two time state placer Dustin Huffman and D'Andre Hunter-Cathy's close 2-4 loss to two time state champion Jorge Lima.
     In the last dual match of the night, Tyler Spurling started the roll against West Lincoln with a second period pin, followed by pins from freshman Chris Peterson 220 lbs, Eric Harvey 113 lbs, Michael Bedard 120 lbs, Jared Bassett 126 lbs, Jacob Grigg 132 lbs, Alex Ledford 145 lbs, and Jack Reep 152 lbs. D'Andre Hunter-Cathy picked up a 5 point tech fall with an 18-3 win.
     After the come behind win Saturday against Ashbrook, and Tuesday night against West Wilkes the team seems to be coming together as a dual team. There is still a lot of work to do in order to compete with the top teams, but if the Warriors can get some experience where we are young and cut out some of the pins we are giving away we could have a solid dual team by February.
     The last time East Gaston started out 9-0 was 2004. That was a pretty good year for the team. A State Tournament title and four consecutive state champions Jared Grigg 103 lbs, Rob Tate 112 lbs, Justin Sparrow 119 lbs, and Dusty McKinney's fourth state title at 125 lbs. Who knows how this season will shake out, but it should be exciting to watch unfold with multiple state champion possibilities.

Warriors Win 2012 Larry Carpenter Duals

The rivalry between East Gaston and Ashbrook wrestling goes back to the beginning of the school. It may not be as well known as the EG/South Point football game, but it is every bit as intense and competitive. So when the Warriors traveled to Ashbrook last Saturday to participate in the 2nd annual Larry Carpenter Duals, there was a good chance we would get to see that match up.

Everyone was on their feet for the last 4 matches.

     The team had to go through Vance, Forestview, and Mooresville first. The match up with Mooresville was tough but the fought hard and came away with a 44 - 22 win. That set up a showdown with Ashbrook for the tournament title.

Eric Harvey wins in 3rd Overtime

     With the match starting at 138 pounds, a strategic decision to bump Jacob Grigg up pays off. Jacob gets a tech fall with a 17-1 win. D'Andre Hunter-Cathy took on Ashbrook team captain Will Brandon and in a tough fought battle lost a close 6-5 decision. After trading several matches and losing some pins the team goes into the 113 pound match down 34-15. A loss in any of the last four weights would end any chance of a come back win. Eric Harvey gets the first takedown but ends up tied at the end of regulation. In the third over time (the 30 second ride out) Eric chose bottom, and scored an escape to keep the teams chances alive and had everyone in the gym on their feet. Evan Abernathy stepped in at 120 lbs, followed by Michael Bedard, and Jared Bassett who all scored first period pins to capture the win 36-34 and the tournament title. It was truly a team effort, and this type of match early in the season should help to build the teams confidence as a dual team.

Solid Core and Tough Preseason bode well for 2013 Season

2013 team attend the Stanley vs. Mt. Holly match in November.

     It has been several years since we have had a group as dedicated to working outside the season. We had a strong spring schedule with several tough tournaments including sending 4 wrestlers to the Junior National Duals in Oklahoma in June. After a break in August we picked up where we left off. Training at least 2 days a week, and lifting 3 days a week. With several tough tournaments in October our returning core were already well into wrestling mode by the time the season opened.
     The 2013 team is led by the core of Michael Bedard, Jared Bassett, Jacob Grigg, and Alex Ledford. Alex and Michael are the only seniors on the squad and Michael returns as a 2012 state bronze medalist. Jacob has looked strong in preseason and is poised to have a major impact in Febuary. Jared Bassett took the fall off of baseball so that he could concentrate on wrestling and seems to be a solid performer around 126.
     Also returning are Mark Bedard, Jack Reep, Eric Harvey, Evan Abernathy, Tristin Frazier, and Julius Beckham. Mark, Jack, and Eric have already made an impact in our lineup, helping compensate for the graduation of state champ John Grigg. Mark's off season work has made him more competitive in his matches, while Jack and Eric seem to have accepted there roles as veterans.
     Two unexpected additions to our program this year are D'Andre Hunter-Cathy and Roy Hedman. Both are Juniors that moved to EG this year. D'Andre placed 4th last year at 126 pounds in the 2A division for Salisbury High School, and Roy competed for East High School in Rochester, NY. Both are vying for the starting spot at 138 right now.
     The rookie class is one of the largest we have had and has several wrestlers that could be competitive this season. Tyler Spurling at 160 lbs and Chris Peterson at 220 both have already contributed in dual matches. Logan Moore, younger brother of Cody (the Headlock) Moore could make a noise if he's able to get into the line up. (FYI, he has a nice leg attack and I haven't seen him throw a headlock yet.) In the heavyweight slot we have 3 freshman wrestlers competing for the opening left by Rhett Odom's graduation. Jordan Smith and Jordan Wilson both show promise and if they are willing to stick with it and continue to work hard could give us the balance we need at the top of the line up.
     The team is working hard and seem to have great attitudes. Only time will tell but if we continue to improve and keep our focus on the right things, we could be very competitive at the end of the season.