North wrestling win reminds Holt of ’94

Published 10:51 am Thursday, December 19, 2019

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Before the North Davie wrestling team’s match at Summit on Dec. 9, coach Jamey Holt referenced a North match from 25 years ago. It was the 1993-94 season, when Holt was an eighth grader, when the late Ron Kirk was directing a Wildcat dynasty. That team finished 14-0 to set a then-record for wins, the fifth of an eventual 15 perfect seasons for Kirk. Among the beatdowns was a 90-0 bloodletting of Knox that took 24 minutes.

“I told them I wanted a Knox match today,” Holt said.

Holt got exactly that. The Wildcats stomped Summit 94-0. They’re 2-0 with a running score of 178-18.

“The business trip took 38 minutes,” Holt said.

The eight pinners were Hunter Potts, Spencer Melton, Bryce McPherson, JR Romero, Max McKnight, Nathan Dczskewicz, Brysen Godbey and Evan Copeland. Braxton Hunter won by major decision. Summit handed out six forfeits.

SD 60, Thomasville 48

South Davie had to work a bit harder for its road nonconference win on Dec. 10. The Tigers clinched victory in the 16th of 18 weight classes, pushing their overall record to 6-2 and their winning streak to four.

“They were tough,” coach Russell Hilton said. “They had some athletic kids.”

Landon Nichols, Jamarius Pelote, Luke Tehandon, Reid Nail, Jaden Conner, Adam Poindexter, Tyler Davis, Brandon Wood and Jakob Alexander pounded out pins. Thomasville forfeited to TJ Douglas.

“Wood is really coming around (at 195),” Hilton said. “He’s very confident. He’s picking up new stuff from (assistant coach Bryson Hunter). We taught him something on Monday and he ran it on Tuesday and stuck the kid. So I was impressed with his effort.”

Ellis 63, Forbush 40

After losing by 29- and 66-point margins, Ellis and new coach Mike Foster tasted victory for the first time in three tries, taking out the Falcons at home on Dec. 9 in come-from-behind fashion.

Luke Miller, Archer Richardson, Tyler Warren, Christian Boswell and Ryder Strickland had pins and Dylan Miller won a decision. Forbush gave Ellis five forfeits.

The Jaguars faced a 34-9 deficit after eight weight classes. They ripped off a 54-6 run over the final 10 matches to win going away.

“I was very pleased with the team,” Foster said. “We saw some good things. The young men are starting to work what they have been taught. Their energy level was higher than in the past, which gave them more fight. The team has come a long way, but we have a lot further to go. With the upbeat attitudes, high energy and willingness to get better, the young men at Ellis will have a season they can be proud of.”

L. Miller is 3-0 with two pins at 90. Strickland has the same results at 182.

“Luke is a good kid,” Foster said. “He listens well in practice and works hard to hone in on his skills.

“Ryder is a team captain. The younger wrestlers look up to him as a leader and an experienced wrestler. Ryder is smart and knows his game.”