Greensboro, NC – In a nail-biting conclusion to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 2A Dual Team Wrestling State Championship, R-S Central edged out Seaforth High School with a 34-32 win at the Novant Health Fieldhouse on Saturday.
The match came down to the very last bout. Seaforth had fought back from an early 19-0 deficit to take a slender 32-31 lead into the final match of the day. However, R-S Central’s Cayden Laws, competing at the 138-pound weight class, secured the championship for his team with a dramatic 8-7 decision over Seaforth’s Maddock Cody.
Laws, who was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for his performance, turned the tide in the final moments, showcasing both skill and determination that secured the R-S Central Hilltoppers’ first-ever dual-team wrestling state championship in school history.
The match began with R-S Central dominating early, thanks to pins by Cameron Crawford and Caleb Cox, alongside major decisions by Hunter Feagan and decisions by Elijiah Guzman. Seaforth, however, showed they were not to be underestimated, rallying back with significant performances from wrestlers like Judge Lloyd and Harrison Compton, who managed major decisions and pins to keep their team in contention.
Seaforth, making their second appearance in the state championship match, had previously faced defeat in last year’s championship against Trinity. This year, despite their valiant comeback, they fell just short of the title.
The championship match also highlighted the sportsmanship of both teams, with Eli Warren from R-S Central and Harrison Compton from Seaforth being awarded the NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Awards for their exemplary conduct throughout the season.
Results
144 – Cameron Crawford (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) over Benjamin Johnson (Seaforth High School) Fall 5:11
150 – Hunter Feagan (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) over Caden Brewer (Seaforth High School) Maj 21-9
157 – Elijiah Guzman (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) over Carter Kearney (Seaforth High School) Dec 6-3
165 – Caleb Cox (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) over Alex Hinchman (Seaforth High School) Fall 1:30
175 – Judge Lloyd (Seaforth High School) over Henry Hamrick (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) Fall 0:27
190 – Harrison Compton (Seaforth High School) over Jacob Hudgins (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) Maj 16-7
215 – Ethan Kuball (Seaforth High School) over Conrad Sherburne (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) Dec 7-1
285 – Connor Olivares (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) over Palmer Moad (Seaforth High School) Fall 3:15
106 – Luke Ayers (Seaforth High School) over Aiden Dalton (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) Maj 15-4
113 – Jordan Miller (Seaforth High School) over Bryson Davis (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) Maj 13-3
120 – Gabe Rogers (Seaforth High School) over Aiden Gallegos (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) Fall 1:02
126 – Sam Gosnell (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) over Ian Winger (Seaforth High School) Fall 4:00
132 – Layne Armstrong (Seaforth High School) over Alex Lopez (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) Fall 4:54
138 – Cayden Laws (Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School) over Maddock Cody (Seaforth High School) Dec 8-7
*Seaforth was issued a 1-point deduction for unsportsmanlike conduct