By Staff
By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
More than 70 of eastern North Carolina’s top high school wrestlers will invade the gym at Washington High School today for the fourth-annual Eli Saleeby Lee Invitational Wrestling Tournament
The tournament is named after former Pam Pack wrestler Eli Saleeby Lee, who died in a tragic car accident on April 30, 2005.
His mother Beth is due to speak at the opening ceremonies of the tournament, which serves as the primary fundraiser for the Pam Pack wrestling squad.
Ayden-Grifton, Southern Wayne, Jacksonville, Northeastern, Herdford County, West Craven and Washington will all field teams in today’s tournament, which is back to a varsity tournament after serving as a junior varsity tourney last season.
J.H. Rose edged out Washington for the crown two years ago, but the Pack is hoping to capture the title this season.
Riggs considers Jacksonville and his team the two favorites heading into the event.
But the Pam Pack may be at a disadvantage. After losing 103-pounder Will Allen to a season-ending shoulder injury Wednesday, Washington will have to forfeit both the 103- and 112-pound weight classes today.
Wrestling begins at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the day, as each team is slated to wrestle six matches.