The closing of the year and the ending of the holiday break put Eastern Shore teams back on to the mat. Nandua traveled to Edenton, N.C., to participate in the Henry “Coach O” Overton wrestling duals on Jan. 5, while the Northampton Yellow Jackets traveled to Mathews, Va., to participate in the Mathews Invitational.
The Nandua Warriors are on a roll this season as they took down their second tournament of the year. The Warriors outwrestled Northeastern High School in the finals with a team score of 45-30 to claim the title. They reached the finals by taking down First Flight 51-23, Currituck County 42-39, Pasquotank County 54-28, and Tarboro 66-17. Warrior wrestlers who went undefeated on the day include Camron Mears (152), Joe Teasley (182), and Matt Taylor (120). Dylan Ross (145), David Gastelum (160), and Traevon Hickman (170) all went 4-1 at the meet.
The Yellow Jackets continued to find success on the mat against some stiff competition during the Mathews Invitational. The larger Lafayette High School won the 13-team tournament with 168 points followed by Caroline with 130. Northampton landed in ninth place with two wrestlers making the podium. Aizmani Joseph (145) and Crescencio Sugia (285) both went 3-1 on the day claiming third place overall. Broadwater’s William Wehner was also in attendance and was runner-up at 113 pounds after falling to Jacob Seale of York High School in the finals.
All teams from the Shore will be wrestling in the Northampton Fred Diem/Scott Miles Round Robin Tournament starting Jan. 10. The tournament welcomes all Northampton wrestling alumni to attend for free entry and access to the Jacket hospitality room. Any alumni who attend will be honored between rounds on Jan. 11 starting at 9 a.m.
