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By Brian Pitts

Enterprise Record

In a home wrestling match against East Forsyth on June 3, Collin Bailey became just the 13th War Eagle to reach 100 career wins during his junior year, which says a lot about Davie’s 145-pounder.

The short list includes Michael Waters, Anthony Olmedo, Russell Hilton, Aaron Hollifield, Hunter Smith, Timmy Allen, Ryan Smith, Patrick Lowery, Alex Gobble, Zack Vernon, Lake Billings and Adam McIlwain.

Bailey went 37-14 as a freshman at 138/145, he went 46-8 as a sophomore at 138/145 and he’s 17-2 as a junior at 145. He’s the second War Eagle to reach the 100 milestone this season, joining senior Adam Szewczyk. Juniors Isaac Webb and Jack Jarvis are close behind; they would cruise to the plateau in a normal year.

“It’s a pretty awesome feeling,” Bailey said of the small company. “I’m hoping to run my record up a little more this year, next year and maybe be able to put a state title in the Bailey name.”

His uncle, Adam Bailey, was a four-year starter for Buddy Lowery from 1995-96 through 1998-99. He was good enough to compile 123 victories in 150 tries and finish as state runner-up at 125 in 1999.

One of Bailey’s two losses this year was a fluke; he was disqualified for an illegal hold. The other loss was a respectable 8-3 decision to powerful Northwest Guilford senior Riley Edwards, who is 20-0.

“(Edwards is) looking at competing for a state title this year,” Bailey said. “Hopefully I’ll be up there with him.”

Coach Perry Long said: “Collin has always been able to win, but now he wrestles a totally different match. Now he knows how to grind those tough matches out. They all are a lot better.”

The match against East was another Central Piedmont Conference snooze for the War Eagles, who breezed 57-9.

Tyler Snyder (132), Sam Collins (138), Webb (152), Matthew Downey (160) and Charlie Frye (195) pounded out pins. Jarvis won a decision. Szewczyk (120), Lane Hill (126), Bailey (145) and Hunter Testa (182) received forfeits.

Without question, the most impressive win came from Jarvis, who faced fellow junior Michael Quinones. The East star is 20-2 this season, with both setbacks to Jarvis, who won this one 5-1.

The win kept Jarvis unbeaten at 21-0. Davie’s other perfect record belongs to Webb (22-0).

“His only loss was to Jack at the conference tournament,” Long said. “That kid placed (in the state) last year.”

It was a perfect Senior Night for Szewczyk, Snyder and Downey.

“I’ve gotten to coach them the last two years,” Long said. “I got to coach Adam in middle school (at South Davie) and I coached against Snyder and Downey at Ellis. Being able to coach them at the high school has been a great pleasure. Adam has changed his body over the years. He has worked hard and he’s going to get to wrestle at the next level (at Lincoln Memorial). Getting to wrestle in college is big for him. Those three seniors have so many memories that they’ll talk about the rest of their lives.”

Davie (15-4, 3-0 CPC) is a red-hot team, winning seven in a row and 14 of 15.