Union County sending 27 wrestlers to state tournament

MONROE — Twenty-seven wrestlers from Union County have qualified for the 2019-20 individual state wrestling tournament, which will be held at the Greensboro Coliseum from Thursday through Saturday (Feb. 20-22).

Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) eight wrestlers qualify, the most of any Union County school. To reach the state tournament, a wrestler must place among the top four in his weight class at the regional tournament.

Four CATA wrestlers won their region, including 120-pound sophomore Kyle Motaperto (32-1 record), junior 126 Hunter Ross (21-0 record), senior Preston Scarborough (43-6) and sophomore 152 Brady Ross (43-2).

Piedmont had five state qualifiers, led by two regional champions; junior 120 Tripp Collins (58-1) and senior 145 Bailey Wicker (16-1). Collins, a defending state champion, has Union County's best record.

Parkwood senior 195 Amir Joseph won a regional title, and three of his teammates also qualified for the state tournament. Mavin Ridge senior 120 Jacob Yim (14-5 record) won his region, and is one of four Mavericks who qualified.

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