Viking Wrestling opens season Wednesday
Wednesday Union Pines wrestling opened their season with a quad match against Enloe, Triton, and Freedom Christian Academy. The team is looking to build on last year’s success. “This year’s team looks to improve on last year’s State Dual Team runner-up finish and State Tournament 3rd place finish,” said Coach Brian Gray.
The Vikings have expectations to win both 3A State Titles (Dual Team and Tournament). The Vikings have had one of the largest turnouts in sometime. The men’s team has about 40 wrestlers and 6 on the women’s team. “The room is crowded, so we are splitting up the practices when we are able,” said Gray.
The Vikings are suffering a few minor injuries leading into Wednesday night’s opener, but they are still looking great, according to Coach Gray. Union Pines will be looking towards a group of Vikings to lead the way this season. “We have a lot of wrestlers that are going to make a difference,” said Gray.
106 Nathan Maness, Sr
113 Aidan Enright, Sr (6th place 106 last year)
126 Joe Lloyd, Jr (one win shy of making state last year)
120/126/132 Keaton Crawford (2X state Qualifier)
138/144 Logan Mictchell, Sr (2X State Qualifier)
150 Finnius McCafferty, Jr (State Qualifier in 2022)
157/165 Houston Leeah, Sr (one win shy of making state last year)
175 Brock Sullivan, Jr (2nd place 160 last year)
190 Nicholas Mascolino, Sr (State Champion at 182 last year)
215 Dantrell Williams, Jr (State Qualifier)
Women’s wrestling has been growing, especially in Moore County, over the past few years. The Vikings will have six female wrestlers competing this year. They will look for leadership from Lily Blair. Blair is coming in as a sophomore from Tennessee, where she was very successful in her freshman year. The Lady Vikings will also turn to Gabriella Bumgardner,who was a Regional Qualifier from last year. “The other four are brand new to the sport, but very eager to learn,” said Gray.
The Viking schedule is as follows:
11/15 Freedom Christian/ Enloe (home) 6 p.m.
11/16 Viking Intitational (home) 9:30 a.m.
11/21 Topsail/ Dixon (@ Topsail)
11/22 Lumberton (@ Lumberton)
11/28 (home) 6 p.m.
12/2 Blue - Mason Wagner Duals (Pinecrest)
White - Green Hope (Green Hope)
12/6 Scotland/Southern Lee (Southern Lee)
12/9 Baddest Cat on the Mat Duals (Southview)
12/13 Tri-E Guilford/ S. Alamance (Estern Guilford)
12/15-17 Blue - Beast of the East University of Delaware
White - Jerry Hampton (Central Davidson)
12/21-22 Tiger Holiday Classic (Chapel Hill HS)
12/29 Viking Duals (home) 9 a.m.
1/3 (home) 6 p.m.
1/6 Quentin Crosby Memorial (Dudley)
1/10 Hoke/ Richmond (Home) 6 p.m.
1/13 Blue - Bob Mauldin Mat News Classic (Piedmont HS) 6 p.m.
White - Jolly Roger (Corinth Holders HS)
1/17 Lee Senior/ Pinecrest (Lee Senior HS)
1/20 Conference Tournament (Pinecrest HS)
1/27 State Duals
1/31 State Duals
2/3 State Dual Championship
2/9-10 Mid East 3A Regional Tournament (Union Pines HS)
2/15-17 State Championships (Greensboro Coliseum)
For up-to-date schedules you can follow this link: https://www.mooredailysports.com/scores
