By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
The New Bern Bears soured the Washington wrestler’s senior night as the Pam Pack fell 42-21 on Wednesday.
For Washington seniors Rodney Putney, Brad Cumston and Wells Jarvis, Wednesday was their final match in front of their home crowd.
Putney made the most of his Washington finale, as he pinned Corey Conel to go out in style.
However, Wells and Cumston were not as fortunate. Wells, wrestling in the 140-pound weight class, fell 9-3 while Cumston was pinned in the second round of his heavyweight battle.
After the match, Washington coach Daniel Riggs praised his seniors for the leadership they have provided throughout the season.
Riggs said that he felt his seniors were fired up to wrestle Wednesday, especially Putney, who pinned his opponent within a minute of the first round.
Despite the loss, Riggs said he was proud of the way his young team battled against the Bears, who currently sit in the number two spot in the Coastal Conference.
Washington wrestler Gill Broadway exemplified the Pack’s no quit attitude in his match Wednesday.
Broadway quickly fell behind 7-0 nothing in the first round of his 215-pound match, and at one point trailed 11-0 in the second round, until he flipped his opponent and pinned him at the 1:12 mark.
Freshman captain Justin Moore also earned a comeback victory against New Bern. Wrestling in the 160-pound class, Moore was down 6-5 with 13 seconds to go in the third and final round, when he earned four points to steal the win.
Riggs said the Moore’s win is a good morale booster, and shows that good things happen when you don’t quit.
Moore and Broadway’s come from behind win’s weren’t the only pleasant surprise of the night, Riggs also said the improvement of Brandon Rouse’s wrestling came as a shock.
With the Pack down 13-0, Rouse earned Washington’s first win of the night as well as a pivotal six points.
Rouse, wrestling in the 135-pound class, came out fired up and eventually earned a pin in the third round.
The Pack, who currently own a 12-12 record, will look to break the .500 mark this weekend when it travels to the Eastern Wayne Tournament this weekend.