Piedmont, CATA advance to third round of wrestling playoffs

UNIONVILLE — The Piedmont High wrestling team won two close home matches on Tuesday to advance to the third round of the 3A Dual Team playoffs.

The Panthers defeated Southeast Guilford, 38-36, and then the Cox Mill Chargers, 43-36.

Piedmont improved to 26-10 in dual team wrestling this season and will compete at regionals on Thursday.

"We had some guys emerge and we had some younger guys step up," said head coach Jamie Belk of Thursday's matches.

With the score tied at 6 against Southeast Guilford, the Panthers got three straight pins from senior 145-pounder Bailey Wicker (9-1 record), junior 152-pounder Colby Locklear (46-12) and junior 170-pounder John Lewis (34-23). After a decision win by Piedmont 195-pounder Aiden Stegall (18-5), the Falcons responded with three straight pins to take the lead at 30-27.

A 15-0 decision win by junior 113-pounder Jake Cauble (49-5) gave Piedmont back the lead at 32-30. The highlight of the match was when junior 126-pounder Tripp Collins (53-1), a defending state champion, pinned Falcons junior Dylan Muir to seal the match.

"I think (our team) wrestled well in the first match," said Collins. "We felt confident that if we won the first match, we do our job in the second. … Our team, they showed out and did their job."

Piedmont will wrestle Enka (27-6) at St. Stephens High School on Thursday in the third round.

Central Academy improved to 29-4 after defeating Lincolnton and West Wilkes to advance to the 2A regional match on Thursday. CATA will wrestle at undefeated Fred T. Foard (44-0) in the third round on Thursday.

Cuthbertson concluded its 2019 season at 18-4 with a 40-38 loss to North Gaston at West Henderson on Tuesday, and Porter Ridge eliminated Mooresville, 46-38. The Pirates conclude their 2019 campaign at 19-10.

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