Piedmont wrestlers win 12th consecutive league title

WAXHAW — The Piedmont High wrestling team clinched the program's 12th consecutive conference championship on Thursday night with road victories over Charlotte Catholic and host Parkwood. The defending 3A individual team state champions improved their dual-team record to 25-9.

Piedmont easily cruised past the Cougars, 65-12, and had a tougher test in a 42-27 victory over the Rebels. Piedmont won 19 out of 27 total individual matches for the evening.

"You're in a good atmosphere and (we) had a great crowd out here tonight," said Piedmont coach Jamie Belk, who consistently has one of the top 3A teams in the state. "We knew if we worked on our fundamentals and we stayed in great position, our technique would pay off and we could be victorious."

Leading 12-6, the Panthers got five straight victories against Parkwood to increase their lead by 24 points. The Rebels used a forfeit win and pins by sophomore 220-pounder Cody Hardy (39-3) and senior 285-pounder Daniel Morrison (36-3) to tighten the score.

Piedmont wrestlers who earned pins on the road include: junior 113-pounder Jake Cauble (45-5), junior 126-pounder Tripp Collins (50-1), senior 145-pounder Bailey Wicker (6-1), junior 152-pounders Colby Locklear (42-11) and John Lewis (30-23) and freshman 106-pounder Noah Cauble (27-17).

Collins, who won the state last year in the 3A's 113-pound division, reached 50 wins for the second consecutive year.

"We definitely took a big step today as a team," Collins said. "… We have a young team so I don't think any of them were really ready for the grind but I think surely but slowly, we are getting there."

Parkwood had four wrestlers go unbeaten Thursday: freshman 132-pounder Sage Tala (26-16), sophomore 138-pounder Caleb Simpson (40-13), 220-pounder Hardy and 285-pounder Morrison. The Rebels lost to the Charlotte Catholic Cougars 44-36 on the Rebels' senior night.

Piedmont, Parkwood and Charlotte Catholic will compete in the Southern Carolina Conference wrestling tournament at Weddington High School on Saturday.

The state dual team playoffs begin on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

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