Wrestling roundup: Washington has three runner-up finishes at state finals

Published 11:37 pm Monday, February 24, 2025

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GREENSBORO, N.C. — Washington High School’s wrestling team has three competitors who finished the NC High School Athletic Association Class 2A state championship as runner-up in the finals of their respective weight class.

The state championships wrapped up Monday at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro. The three-day event was moved from Feb. 20-22 to this past Saturday-Monday due to last week’s winter weather.

Sam Boltes (106 pounds), Bryce Perry (126 pounds) and Gabe Foreman (144 pounds) each finished the three-day event with second-place finishes, falling short of a state title in their first-place matches after each going 3-0.

Washington’s team finished sixth overall with 74.5 points. Seaforth won the 2A state title with 149 points.

Washington also had four other wrestlers compete in the 2A state finals. Tucker Massie (132 pounds) went 1-2, Evan Makepeace (175) went 0-2, Trenton Baldree (190) went 1-2 and Cooper Johnson (285) went 0-2.

Northside’s Ryland Paul took part in the Class 1A state tournament at 144 pounds. He also went 1-2 overall.

Class 2A State Championships

106 pounds: Sam Boltes (46-6) placed 2nd

  • * Champ. Round 1 – Won by tech fall over Christopher Thomas (Lincolnton High School), 1.5 3:27 (21-6)
  • * Quarterfinal – Won by fall over Colton McBride (McMichael), 3:13
  • * Semifinal – Won by major decision over Hunter Dancy (North Wilkes High School), 12-2
  • * 1st Place Match – Aiden Burkholder (Trinity) 55-3 won by fall, 5:04

120 pounds: Andrew Foreman (26-13) did not place

  • * Champ. Round 1 – Gabe Rogers (Seaforth High School) won by tech fall, 1.5 1:21 (17-2)
  • * Cons. Round 1 – Ethan Goins (North Wilkes High School) won by tech fall, 1.5 3:34 (16-1)

126 pounds: Bryce Perry (46-5) placed 2nd

  • * Champ. Round 1 – Won by tech fall over Cameron Benton (John M. Morehead High School), 1.5 4:20 (19-3)
  • * Quarterfinal – Won by tech fall over Phoenix Michaud (Newton-Conover High School), 1.5 3:31 (16-1)
  • * Semifinal – Won by decision over Seth Almond (Mt Pleasant), 10-4
  • * 1st Place Match – Ayden Sumners (Wheatmore) won by decision, 6-5

132 pounds: Tucker Massie (42-16) did not place

  • * Champ. Round 1 – Kayden Hess (Trinity) won by fall, 5:37
  • * Cons. Round 1 – Won by fall over Zach Posner (Bunn High School), 4:38
  • * Cons. Round 2 – Alex Lopez (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) won by decision, 9-5

144 pounds: Gabe Foreman (37-11) placed 2nd

  • * Champ. Round 1 – Won by fall over Cameron Crawford (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School), 5:58
  • * Quarterfinal – Won by fall over Daniel Turner (North Johnston High School), 2:11
  • * Semifinal – Won by fall over Luke Parker (Patton), 5:13
  • * 1st Place Match – Boedi Kirkland (Newton-Conover High School) won by fall, 2:50

175 pounds: Evan Makepeace (21-10) did not place

  • * Champ. Round 1 – Zane Dodd (East Gaston) won by fall, 1:42
  • * Cons. Round 1 – Gavin Gholami (Lincolnton High School) won by fall, 1:42

190 pounds: Trenton Baldree (39-14) did not place

  • * Champ. Round 1 – Won by forfeit over Max Shelton (Madison High School)
  • * Quarterfinal – Jesus Jarquin Ambrosio (Monroe) won by fall, 0:52
  • * Cons. Round 2 – Maxwell Buckley (Lincolnton High School) won by decision, 11-4
  • 285: Cooper Johnson (30-16) did not place
  • * Champ. Round 1 – Michael Vazquez (McMichael) won by fall, 0:54
  • * Cons. Round 1 – Aaron Lee (Burns High School) won by decision, 6-1

Class 1-A

144 pounds: Rylan Paul (28-7) did not place

  • * Quarterfinal – Lleyton Hooper (Robbinsville High School) 54-7 won by tech fall, 1.5 4:27 (18-3)
  • * Cons. Round 1 – Won by fall over Landon Yeates (Pamlico County High School), 2:41
  • * Cons. Semi – Mason Bentley (Avery County High School) won by fall, 1:53