Seniors Ro’mello Cowan (left) and Michael Carvin. Absent: Matthew Shorb.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Hosting three teams for Senior Night, Triton’s varsity wrestling team took a Tri-County Six 3-A Conference win over Lee County and a nonconference win over Clinton before falling to 4-A nonconference for Millbrook on Wednesday night.
“We did pretty well,” said Triton coach David Weathersby. “We had a kid get sick during the first match and then we got an injury during the first match, which kind of put us on weak footing there. But we did good against Lee County, did what we needed to. And then Clinton, we took care of business there. And then Millbrook is just, they’re good. And we didn’t have enough wrestlers here tonight. We did what we could. I’m proud of our guys. I’m proud of our seniors. Mello (Cowan) and Mike (Carvin) put on a show tonight.”
The Hawks (10-4, 2-2 TCSC) honored two seniors prior to the match: Ro’mello Cowan and Michael Carvin. Fellow senior Matthew Shorb was also recognized, but was not present because of illness. Cowan and Carvin both went 3-0 on the night. All three of Cowan’s wins were by pin fall. Carvin took two pin fall victories and a win by forfeit.
“Mike is a lot and one (on the season),” Weathersby said. “I think he’s probably like 26-1. He’ll probably hit the 100 (career wins) mark at conference tournament time. And then Mello is 15-7.”
Triton was shorthanded for most of the meet. In addition to Shorb’s absence, Jordan Hardy, at 106 pounds, left after his opening match against Lee County because of illness, and Blayne Lucas, at 126 pounds, suffered an injury during his match against Lee.
Triton opened the night with a 48-21 conference win over Lee County.
Xavion Richardson, at 220 pounds, Nathan Williams, at 138 pounds, Nicholas Williams, at 145 pounds, and Cowan, at 170 pounds took pin fall victories for the Hawks. Carvin, at 285 pounds, Sawyer McLamb, at 150 pounds, Diontae Smith, at 182 pounds, and Malachi Nettles, at 195 pounds, won by forfeit.
Jackson Gaines won at 115 pounds by forfeit, Luke Barrow won an 11-10 decision at 106 pounds, Sam Barrow won at 126 pounds by pin fall and Zanden Annabel won at 160 pounds by forfeit for the Yellow Jackets.
Triton won its second match against Clinton by a team score of 36-18.
Cowan, Nettles, and Carvin won by pin and McLamb, Nathan Williams and Nicholas Williams won by forfeit for Triton.
Elijah Harkgrove won at 106 pounds by forfeit, Zaccheus Williams won at 182 pounds by pin and Linele Faison won at 220 pounds by pin for the Dark Horses.
Between absences and not having wrestlers at certain weight classes, Triton started meet against Millbrook in a 30-0 hole and was unable to come back, falling 51-27.
Nicholas Williams won an 11-6 decision and Cowan, Smith, Richardson and Carvin won by pin for the Hawks.
Millbrook does not have a 285-pound competitor, but in a show of class, the Wildcats sent out Ben Williard, who typically wrestles at 220 pounds, to face Carvin, so that he could have one more match on Senior Night.
“I want to give thanks to the Millbrook guys,” Weathersby said. “They didn’t have a heavyweight, but since it was Senior Night, they put out one of their 220s for us. A lot of respect for that.”
Brayan Hernandez-Ortiz, at 150 pounds, and Holden Cypher, at 185 pounds, won by pin for Millbrook. Jordan Dao won a 7-5 decision at 138 pounds. Wyatt Bowen, at 106 pounds, Hayden Mills, at 113 pounds, Will Saby, at 120 pounds, Koa Weatherspoon, at 126 pounds, Javion Jones, at 132 pounds, and Robert Savin, at 160 pounds, won by forfeit.
Triton will be at West Johnston for a tournament on Saturday before ending the regular season at conference and Harnett County rival Harnett Central on Wednesday.
“We’ll hopefully get a couple of guys healthy,” Weathersby said. “Harnett Central’s done a good job this year. It’s going to be a fight next Wednesday and it’s a rivalry, so we’ll see what happens. If we can get into the playoffs, it’ll be a good experience, especially for the seniors, who kind of led us to this point.”
Hawk wrestler Nathan Williams has the advantage position.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Ro’mello Cowan has the top position in going 3-0 on the night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Malachi Nettles nears a pin win for Triton against Clinton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Nicholas Williams works toward a decision win against Millbrook.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Diontae Smith progresses toward a pin for the Hawks against Milbrook.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Triton’s Xavion Richardson seeks to turn his opponent.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Michael Carvin finished Senior Night 3-0 at 285 pounds.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
