Pinecrest opened wrestling season on Wednesday

Pinecrest Wrestling opened their season on Wednesday. The men opened their season in Patriot fashion, defeating Cleveland 77-11. Cleveland defeated the women’s team 42-18.

Ten ladies joined the varsity team this year during the offseason. The men’s team had 50 show up for tryouts plus another 11 football players who tried out this week.

Leading up to the opening match on Wednesday coach Darrell Travers said the teams have looked great in practices. “The intensity level in the room has been remarkable for both the men’s and women’s teams,” said Travers.

The Patriots men’s team will look to three wrestlers who will lead them to potential titles. Cooper Ogden, “Ogden is a returning state qualifier who was one win short of being a state placer last year. I fully expect him to make a run at a championship,” said Travers.

Dallin Newcomer, “Newcomer is in his senior season and is looking to qualify to wrestle in the state championships this year,” said Travers.

Justin Travers, “Travers is a transfer from Jack Britt. He is a returning state placer and is looking to make a run for the state championship,” said Travers.

On the women’s team, the Patriots will look to Megan Rowland for leadership. “Rowland is looking to turn last year’s 2nd place-state finish into a championship this year,” said Travers.

The men’s team last year had a great season with four state qualifiers, two being state runners-up. “We have two this year that are making a run at a state title and 3-4 others that have a very legitimate shot at qualifying for the state tournament,” said Travers. “Our freshman class looks extremely good this year with freshman knocking off returning varsity wrestlers for the 106 and 113-pound spots.”

“I have high hopes for this team. They look fantastic in the room and the coaching staff I have here with me is absolutely phenomenal,” said Travers. “The number one goal is to qualify as a team for the state dual tournament. Once you are in anything can happen.”

The Patriots men’s team won five matches by pin, one technical fall and one major decision on Wednesday. They won every match but the last. “The men’s team came out after the women and were on fire,” said Travers.

“The atmosphere was amazing. There’s nothing like wrestling under the spotlight at Pinecrest High School. The wrestlers love it. The parents love it. The fans love it. We had a nice-sized crowd, and they let everyone know they were here,” said Travers.

11/18 Union Pines Invitational @ Union Pines 9:00 a.m. (Men)

11/18 Roughedge Rumble @ Parkwood High 9:45 a.m. (Women)

11/22 Lumberton Round Robin @ Lumberton 10:00 a.m. (Men & Women Individual)

11/29 Fuquay - Varina @ Pinecrest 5:30 p.m. (Men & Women)

12/2 Mason Wagner Duals @ Pinecrest 8:00 a.m. (Men)

12/2 Westover Girls Dual Tournament @ Westover 8:00 a.m. (Women)

12/6 Conference Quad {PC, Hoke, Lee, Richmond} @ Richmond 5:00 a.m. (Men & Women)

12/9 Bobby Abernathy Invitational @ Piedmont High 8:00 a.m. (Men)

12/9 Lady Patriots and JV Inv. @ Pinecrest 6:00 p.m. (Women)

12/12 Men’s Dual @ Freedom Christian 6:00 p.m.

12/12 Women’s Dual @ Lumberton 6:00 p.m.

12/15-16 WRAL @ Knightdale High 8:00 a.m. (Men & Women)

12/21-22 Tiger Holiday Classic @ Chapel Hill High 8:00 a.m. (Men & Women)

1/3 Dual vs Athens Drive @ Pinecrest 5:00 p.m. (Men & Women)

1/6 Mooresville Invitational @ Mooresville high 9:00 a.m. (Men)

1/10 Conference {Lee, Scottland, PC} @ Scottland 5:00 p.m (Men & Women)

1/12-13 Boneyard Bash Inv. @ Jack Britt (Men & Women)

1/17 Conference Quad {S. Lee, Lee, Union Pines, PC} @ Lee (Men’s & Women)

1/20 Conference Tournament @ Pinecrest (Men & Women)

1/25 Women’s Regional @ Jack Britt

1/27 Men State Duals Round 1-2

1/31 Men State Duals Round 3 & Dual Regionals

2/3 Men State Dual Championships

2/9-10 Men’s Regionals @ Panther Creek

2/15-17 Individual State Championships @ Greensboro Coliseum (Men’s & Womens)