By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Justin “Weasel” Moore was named the Coastal Conference’s Most Outstanding Wrestler for his efforts this season, which include winning a conference championship.
Moore, Washington High School’s all-time win leader with a career mark of 156-18, won both of his matches at Saturday’s conference tournament at Havelock High School. The 171-pound senior, now 36-1 this season, won in impressive fashion. Moore, ranked first in the state, pinned Jacksonville’s Dominick Vasquez in 4:17 and earned a 17-2 technical fall over West Craven’s Thomas June.
Junior Marquin Hill, 39-2 this year and 106-28 in his career, also won a conference championship. The heavyweight, ranked first in the state, earned a 3-1 decision over D.H. Conley’s Nathaniel Stevenson, ranked fifth in the state, and a 2-1 overtime decision over White Oak’s Matthew Colter, ranked third in the state.
Also for the Pack, Jack Rodman (10-16 overall, 2-1 in tournament) placed third at 160 pounds, while fourths went to Michael Gardner (18-20, 2-2) at 135 pounds, Malik Moore (12-15, 3-2) at 215 pounds and Raphael Gibbs (9-10, 1-2) at 189 pounds.
Also competing for the Pack were David Giordano (6-28, 0-2) at 103 pounds, Matthew Williamitis (7-7, 0-2) at 140 pounds and Jay Campbell (10-28, 0-2) at 152 pounds.
“Overall, Charles (Blumell) and I were very pleased with the way everyone wrestled,” Washington head coach Dan Riggs said.” I think if we keep improving like we did this season, we will be even stronger in the years to come.”
The regional tournament will be held Feb. 19-20 at South Central High School in Winterville. Those wrestlers who finish in the top four advance to the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A state meet, which will be held Feb. 26-27 at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Coastal 3A Conference Tournament
1. Havelock – 226.5
2. South Central – 157
3. West Carteret – 139.5
4. Jacksonville – 127
5. West Craven – 101.5
6. White Oak – 100
7. Washington – 99.5
8. D. H. Conley – 65
Finals
103 – D. Jackson (SC) dec D. Gooding (WCR) 6-5
112 – M. Bogard (HAV) majdec M. Parsons (WCT) 9-1
119 – C. Holleman (HAV) dec C. Credeur (WCR) 3-2
125 – J. Sanborn (HAV) dec C. Halstead (WCT) 3-2 UTB
130 – Z. Jaramilo (HAV) fall L. Sanchez (SC) 2:37
135 – C. Davenport (JAX) majdec M. Newby (HAV) 15-6
140 – N. Moore (WCT) dec B. Hernandez (JAX) 6-5
145 – R. Davis (HAV) majdec S. Tomlinson (WCT) 13-5
152 – T. Zaleski (HAV) fall J.Ward (SC) 3:42
160 – R. Reynolds (SC) dec AJ Grabbert (JAX) 7-2
171 – J. Moore (WASH) TF T. June (WCR) 17-2
189 – K. Crandell (DHC) dec D. Gunter (SC) 9-2
215 – T. Green (HAV) dec R. Arroyo (WCT) 10-5
285 – M. Hill (WASH) dec M. Colter (WO) 2-1 OT