NCHSAA wrestling championships conclude; Lumberton wins first NCHSAA women’s wrestling title Bandys’ Kaylah Evans becomes 1st state placer for women’s wrestling program in inaugural individual state championships
GREENSBORO – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s 2024 Wrestling Championships concluded on Saturday evening at the Greensboro Coliseum and for the very first time, the NCHSAA crowned a Women’s Wrestling Champion.
The Lumberton Pirates left Greensboro with the inaugural NCHSAA Women’s Championship after tallying 77 points. Jack Britt finished as runner-up with 69 points.
The Pirates were led by senior Wyntergale Oxendine as she won the 235-pound weight class. Oxendine, who took second place in the Invitational Championship in 2023, finished the 2023-24 season 40-0. Teresa Canady added a runner-up finish in the 114-pound weight class for Lumberton and Janya Rollan took third in the 185pound weight class.
For Jack Britt, Sumaiya
Aamoud placed 4th in the 138-pound weight class and Victory Shepherd, Sophia Ozanich and Isabella Hernandez each added fifthplace finishes.
By virtue of the draw, East Forsyth’s Tay Williams earned the distinction of being the first individual champion in women’s wrestling history as she earned a pin in 5:56 in the finals of the 165-pound weight class.
Leah Edwards from East Rowan was named Most Outstanding Wrestler in the women’s tournament. Edwards, a junior, won the 114-pound weight class with two pins, a technical fall and a major decision along the way.
WOMEN’S TEAM SCORES
1 2 3 4 5
Lumberton 77.0 Jack Britt 69.0 Havelock 62.0 Hoke County 59.0 Laney 52.0
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 1st Place - Faith Bane of New Bern
2nd Place - Gabby Akers of South Davidson
** 3rd Place - Kaylah Evans of Bandys
4th Place - Lily Reese of T.c. Roberson
5th Place - Brooke Gladue of Cuthbertson
6th Place - Maggie Milbery of Swansboro
Faith Bane (New Bern) 34-2, So. over Gabby Akers (South Davidson) 33-1, Jr. (Dec 4-2)
Kaylah Evans (Bandys) 23-3, So. over Lily Reese (T.c. Roberson ) 25-6, Fr. (Fall 0:32)
Brooke Gladue (Cuthbertson) 16-4, Jr. over Maggie Milbery (Swansboro) 37-11, Jr. (Fall 2:34)
In the men’s competition, Davie County followed it’s 4A Dual Team Championship with the Individual Championship while Union Pines and Seaforth avenged their runner-up finishes in the Dual Team tournament. Union Pines topped the 3A Team Score Leaderboard with 144.5 points and Eastern Guilford finished in second with 100 points. In 2A, Seaforth edged Trinity 136 to 133.5. In the 1A competition, Robbinsville earned the Team Championship with 124 points. Avery County finished second with 114.5 points and Uwharrie Charter finished third with 109 points.
Robbinsville was powered by individual championships from Alexis Panama (120-pounds), Koleson Dooley (285 pounds) and Kage Williams (190 pounds). Williams became the 13th wrestler in NCHSAA history to win four individual championships and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler for his performance.
Seaforth had two individual champions as Layne Armstrong won the 126-pound weight class and Josh Miller won the 120-pound weight class.
Reidsville’s Rayshun “R.J.” James, who won a dramatic overtime match in the 132pound weight class finals and was named 2A Most Outstanding wrestler. The win marks his third state championship.
Union Pines also had a pair of individual champions as Brock Sullivan won the 175-pound weight class and Nicholas Mascolino won the 190-pound weight class.
Cape Fear’s Samuel Aponte won the 120-pound weight class for his third state title and was named the 3A Most Outstanding Wrestler.
The Team Titles for Robbinsville, Seaforth and Union Pines are the first for each program.
Davie County’s Hunter Testa won the 175-pound weight class for the War Eagles’ lone individual title. Cayden Glass finished second in the 120-pound weight class and Tiaj Thao took third in the 126-pound weight class. The win gives Davie two team titles in the State Tournament as they also won in 1995.
Cameron Stinson, a senior at Mallard Creek, his fourth state championship, becoming the 14th wrestler to accomplish that feat and the third to never lose a match in his four-year career. He finished his career with a record of 204-0. He was also named Most Outstanding Wrestler for the 2024 championships.
MEN’S TEAM SCORES
Bryce Perry (Washington) 55-4, Fr. over Seth Almond (Mt Pleasant) 37-10, Jr. (Dec 4-0)
of Monroe