Southern Wayne’s Lamontez White, seen here in an earlier match with Fike’s Tashaun Thorne, emerged as the runner-up in the 220-pound weight class of Saturday’s 31st annual Pierce-Davis Memorial wrestling tourney. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
BETHEL — Southern Wayne grappler Lamontez White turned in a monster day during the 31st annual Pierce-Davis Memorial wrestling tournament Saturday at North Pitt High School.
A first-year competitor, White emerged as the runner-up in the 220-pound weight class. He endured a tough 3-2 loss to Northeastern’s Junior Kimble in the championship after pinning his first three opponents.
White spent nearly 11 total minutes on the mat in four matches. He acccounted for 24 team points.
“Very pleased with his success this year,” SW head coach Tori King said.
Southern Wayne put seven wrestlers on the mat and shared 12th place with Pasquotank in the final team standings. Five Saints reached the championship semifinals before suffering their first loss of the day.
Heavyweight Eli Hulet ended up tied for third with Currituck’s River Houck, who had wrestled the maximum five matches before their bronze-medal encounter. Hulet departed with an 11-3 worksheet for the season.
“Eli continued his progression, however, he was disappointed and felt like he should have won the tournament,” King said.
Freshman Omar Soler Sanchez (113 pounds), Amari Thomas (145) and senior Daylan Kornegay (170) each stumbled in consolation bracket action.
Kornegay fell in the championship quarterfinals, but bounced back to pin three consecutive opponents in consolation competition before Northeastern’s Eric Fazekas ended his day. Kornegay and White share the team lead with 13 individual victories.
Thomas fell to Pasquotank’s Jahiem Gibson, while Sanchez was stopped by Neuse Charter’s Garrett Hollyfield.
“Omar continues to impress and bright things are in the future for this very talented freshman,” King said.
Josiah Bell (120) and Oswaldo Quiroz (132) each suffered a fourth-round consolation loss. Jacob Bennett of Currituck stopped Bell. Hertford County’s Jemel Stephenson turned back Quiroz.
“I’m very pleased with this weekend, but as always, we can and will continue to work hard and get better,” King said.
Southern Wayne travels to East Wake on Tuesday for a Quad County 3A tri-meet that includes West Johnston.
