Southern Wayne junior Omar Soler-Sanchez pins Smithfield-Selma’s Hayden Cauthorne during their 113-pound match Wednesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Tyler Speight attempts to turn South Johnston’s Noah Starling onto his back during their 175-pound match. Starling came back to defeat Speight. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
South Johnston’s Luis Abreu attempts to throw Southern Wayne’s Jordan Valentine to the mat during their 150-pound bout. Abreu defeated Valentine, 14-9. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Zach Sauls, left, fell behind early, but rallied to defeat South Johnston’s Kai Aquino, 13-12, in their 144-pound match. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne newcomer Gerardo Sauno Diaz eventually pinned South Johnston’s Gavin Keene at 132 pounds Wednesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
DUDLEY — The improvement is evident.
Yet, there’s work to be done.
Southern Wayne learned that during its Quad County 3A tri-meet wrestling dual against traditional powerhouse South Johnston and Smithfield-Selma.
The Saints fell 57-21 to South and upended SSS 36-28.
“I’m pleased with the effort that the guys gave tonight,” said SW head coach Tori King. “The guys that are here now are the ones that are the most-dedicated, and eager to learn and get better. We had a couple of guys return from discipline issues.
“We still have some that are out due to injuries. So, we were obviously not in the best shape as we could be.”
Yusef Ceballos sat out with a knee injury.
Heavyweight Bryce Sanders appeared recovered from an illness, but King elected to keep him out of the lineup.
Southern Wayne logged a 6-7 record in contested matches. The Saints conceded six forfeits each against the Trojans and Spartans.
Returning state qualifier Omar Soler-Sanchez posted a 2-0 record with two falls at 113 pounds. Teammate Isaiah Smith collected two forfeits at 106.
“Omar is still not where I would like for him to be, but hopefully he turns the corner soon,” King said of the junior, who won a QCC individual crown last season.
Zach Sauls filed a 2-0 worksheet at 138. The second-year competitor rallied from a 10-4 deficit to defeat South’s Kai Aquino, 13-12. He earned a forfeit against SSS.
“Zach continues to impress and get better, and it’s a pleasure to coach him,” King said. “He showed tremendous heart in his comeback victory. He gets better every time he steps onto the court.”
Gerardo Sauno Diaz (132), Nathan Carlton (144), Jordan Valentine (150) and Tyler Speight (175) each concluded the night 1-1. Carlton drew a forfeit against SSS.
“Jordan came out much more aggressive in his second match and he was rewarded for his efforts with a pin,” King said.
Southern Wayne (3-10 overall, 1-3 QCC) returns to action Saturday in the 29th annual USAF Eagle Invitational at Rosewood High School. The 24-team event begins at 9 a.m., but five-time defending champ Wilmington Laney elected not to participate this year.
“All in all we have a bunch of work to do, but that’s something we never shy away from,” King said. “All we can do is go back to work and keep getting better. The Eagle Invitational on Saturday will be a great test of where we are at this point of the season and a good prep for our conference season the rest of the way.”
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
South Johnston 57, Southern Wayne 21
106: Isaiah Smith (SW) by FF; 113: Omar Soler-Sanchez (SW) wbf Saleem Jones (SJ); 120: Ethan Brownlee (SJ) by FF: 126: Carson Corl (SJ) by FF; 132: Gerardo Sauno Diaz (SW) wbf Gavin Keene (SJ); 138: Zach Sauls (SW) dec. Kai Aquino (SJ), 13-12; 144: Tyrone Crothamel (SJ) wbf Nathan Carlton (SW); 150: Luis Abreu (SJ) dec. Jordan Valentine (SW), 14-9; 157: Julio Gonzalez (SJ) by FF; 165: Matthew Rodriguez (SJ) wbf Douglas Player (SW); 175: Noah Starling (SJ) wbf Tyler Speight (SW); 190: Connor McArtan (SJ) by FF; 215: Jordan Barefoot (SJ) by FF; HWT: Ryan Johnson (SJ) by FF.
Records: South Johnston 5-0 overall, 2-0 QCC; Southern Wayne 2-10, 0-3.
Southern Wayne 36, Smithfield-Selma 28
106: Isaiah Smith (SW) by FF; 113: Omar Soler Sanchez wbf Hayden Cauthorne (SSS); 120: Double FF; 126: Double FF; 132: James Gomez Manzano (SSS) wbf Gerardo Sauno Diaz (SW); 138: Zach Sauls (SW) by FF; 144: Nathan Carlton (SW) by FF; 150: Jordan Valentine (SW) wbf David Brasier-Oakley (SSS); 157: Alberto Granadas Flores (SSS) by FF; 165: Sahki Saxon (SSS) maj. dec. Douglas Player (SW); 175: Tyler (SW) wbf Jette Guox-Maeda; 190: Double FF; 215: Brian Herrera (SSS) by FF; HWT: Aidan Davis (SSS) by FF.
Records: Southern Wayne 3-10 overall, 1-3 QCC; Smithfield-Selma 0-10, 0-2.
