Eight headed to 2A wrestling finals

NEWPORT -- By D. Clay Best

cbest@newsobserver.com

North Johnston’s Matt Evans and James Napier collected regional championships, leading a group of eight Johnston County wrestlers to advance to the NCHSAA 2A state individual wrestling championships on Saturday from the eastern regionals at Croatan High School.

Napier improved to 49-0 on the year with a thrilling 5-3 victory in a match up of two wrestlers ranked in the top-five in the state. Napier, who became a four-time state qualifier and was the state runner-up last season, fell behind Croatan’s Jon Mancini 2-0 in the second period, but took control of the match with a quick escape and takedown midway of the third period of the championship match.

“James didn’t have much trouble until he got to the finals,” said North coach Josh Langholtz. “Then he wrestled the No. 3 ranked guy in the state in what was likely a preview of the state championship match.

“They spent a lot of time feeling each other out, but when James got his escape, he wasted no time going to his go-to move and taking the win.”

Evans, the 132-pound regional champ, downed previously undefeated Tyrell Brooks of South Lenoir, 10-3, in their championship bout. Evans, 45-5 on the season, led 7-0 after the first period.

“Matt had a really good tournament,” Langholtz said. “He rolled through to the finals and faced an undefeated guy. But Matt’s tough losses to quality opponents really helped him here. He beat a really solid wrestler to win the regional.”

Corinth Holders’ turn around story of the season – 195-pounder William Floyd – was the regional runner up at 195 pounds, just a year after posting two wins on the season.

“Will’s had an amazing year,” said Pirates coach Jimmy McNamarra. “He went from two wins to 51. He’s always had the tools. This year he’s just turned himself into a great wrestler.”

Floyd will carry a record of 51-8 into the state championships.

North Johnston’s Dyllan Creech finished second in the regional at 120 pounds, falling to Croatan’s Dustin McCaw 5-2 in the championship round.

The Pirates also sent Dustin Brennan to the state finals, finishing fourth at 113.

Familiar foes from North and Corinth Holders are both in the state championships at 220 pounds. North’s Efrain Reynoso topped Corinth’s Elijah Harris in the consolation finals, 4-1 in double-overtime to take third place.

It was Reynoso’s second straight double-overtime victory of the tournament.

Panthers’ sophomore Eric Joyner finished fourth, grabbing a state trip at 138 pounds. He becomes the second Panther (Napier is the other) to qualify for states as a sophomore.

The state championships will be held Thursday through Saturday in Greensboro.

Corinth Holders’ Tyler Johnson entered the tournament seeded second in his weight class, but his bid to return from a shoulder separation suffered just three weeks ago didn’t end in a state championship berth.