A strong contingent of local high school wrestlers has qualified for the state tournament following the individual wrestling regionals held on February 16, 2024. Schools including West Rowan, A.L. Brown, East Rowan, South Rowan, and Carson secured spots in the prestigious state event, showcasing impressive performances.
West Rowan Leads the Charge
The West Rowan Falcons emerged as the dominant force in the 5A West Regional team championship, securing the title at North Davidson with a total of 151.5 points. Individual standout performances included James Stephens, who clinched the championship at 132 pounds, and Andrew Taylor, who triumphed at 144 pounds. Additionally, Xavier Gray finished as runner-up in the 215-pound category, while Harry Hartwell (190 pounds) and Bryson Ellis (heavyweight) claimed third place. Chris Gaither rounded out the successful roster with a fourth-place finish at 138 pounds.
East Rowan also made a significant impact, finishing third in the 5A West Regional with 109 points. Braylen Yates achieved regional champion status at 165 pounds, while Christopher McDonald took second place at 113 pounds. Other notable wrestlers included Jamal Hall (third at 138 pounds) and both Catoe Burd (fourth at 120 pounds) and Lucas Restrepo (fourth at 126 pounds).
Carson’s wrestlers were not to be overlooked, with Joseph Little earning runner-up status at 120 pounds and Griffin Barber finishing fourth at 157 pounds. Despite placing 11th in team scores with 55.5 points, Carson will send its representatives to the state competition.
Impressive Performances Across Other Regions
In the 4A West Regional held at Maiden, South Rowan finished fifth with 119 points. Carson Raper shone brightly, winning the championship at 106 pounds with an impressive four pins. Runners-up included Garrison Raper at 132 pounds and Emilio Diaz at 113 pounds, while Aiden Carter secured fourth place at 175 pounds. Meanwhile, Salisbury contributed to the competition with a total of nine points.
In the 1A/2A West Regional hosted by North Rowan, the Cavaliers scored 22.5 points, indicating a competitive effort despite the challenge of facing larger teams.
At the 7A West Regional in Kannapolis, A.L. Brown finished second to Davie with a commendable 147 points. Their success was highlighted by three individual champions: Landon Logan (120 pounds), Gavin Yow (190 pounds), and Kaulton Kuddie (215 pounds). Yow and Kuddie both entered the tournament boasting impressive records, with Yow at 47-1 and Kuddie at 46-2. Logan, with a record of 43-5, also showcased his skills. In addition, Chase Hernandez was runner-up at 150 pounds, while Mason Cook (third at 157 pounds) and Everon Riddle (fourth at 132 pounds) contributed to the team’s success.
The individual state championships are set to take place in Greensboro, with girls wrestling scheduled for February 19-20 and boys wrestling on February 20-21. As the excitement builds, A.L. Brown, West Rowan, and East Rowan remain engaged in the dual team state playoffs, with action expected to resume on Tuesday.
These achievements reflect not only the athletes’ hard work and dedication but also the continued strength of local wrestling programs as they aim for success on the state stage.
