By Salif Conneh
Last Wednesday the EGHS wrestling team traveled to Southwestern Randolph for a key conference match. The Wildcats had not defeated SWR for several years, prior to last Wednesday. This time, however, the tune was changed as the Wildcats won, 46-36. Eastern is now 13-3 on the season. “We have some tough matches Wednesday night here at home against Asheboro, Mount Tabor, and Reidsville,” said head coach Maurice Atwood. “I hope you all will find a way to come support the wrestling team as we work hard to take our next step forward.” The watch against SWR was tied 36-36 going into the last two individual matches of the dual meet. In the first of those two matches, Peyton Jensen won a major decision, giving the Wildcats a 40-36 lead. In the final match, Nasir grant, a freshman, pinned his opponent in the second period to secure the win. Other wrestlers who won their matches were, Phia B Krong, Laye Conneh, Lucas Stanley, Isaiah Manning, Perry Sharp and Jacob Vickers. Last Saturday, Eastern traveled to Southwest Guilford for another dual tournament and went 2-2 on the day. The scores of the matches were, EG 72, Grimsley 12; EG 41, North Davidson 38; EG 21, Person 57 and EG 33, SW Guilford 42. In the match with North Davidson, the score was 38-35 going into the final match of the contest. In that bout EGHS sent out Jeremiah Chapman, a freshman wrestling in the 106-pound division. Chapman typically gives up 10 pounds to everyone he wrestles, because he generally weighs about 95 pounds. Chapman’s opponent from was visibly larger and stronger. “Size and strength are less important in wrestling than will power, experience, and technique and for Jeremiah those three intangibles would come into play as he was able to sneak out an 11-9 win to secure the team win for the Wildcats,” said Atwood. The score was 9-9 with 10 seconds left in the match and both wrestlers on their feet looking for a takedown to secure the win for their team. The ND wrestlers attempted a show, but Jeremiah was able to successfully defend the shot and circle behind his opponent for the takedown to get two points with two seconds left on the clock. Wrestlers winning matches for the Wildcats at the SW Guilford duals were, Jeremiah Chapman, Devin Ellis, Keijuan Smith, Peyton Jensen, Dorian Jackson, Marcus Bynum, Nasir Grant, Phai B Krong, Lucas Stanley, Laye Conneh, Samuel Milton, Isaiah Manning, Perry Sharpe, Karin Sein, Elijah Dawkins, and Jacob Vickers.