LUMBERTON — Returning four state qualifiers from a year ago, the Lumberton wrestling team is looking for more this season in both the individual aspects as well as the dual team.
The Pirates narrowly missed out on a chance in the NCHSAA state duals last season, and the experienced back end of its lineup wants to seal a berth this season. But to get there, the Pirates have to make sure the group as a whole has experience.
“We are just continuously building that team,” Lumberton coach Jamie Bell said. “Whoever we put in, we want to make sure that they have experience.
“We’ve got a strong team, but I’m focusing on being a strong dual team.”
The Pirates had one wrestler place at states last year, Noah Taylor, who graduated, and now returning wrestlers like Ed Brock, Alex Hammonds and Tray Regan bolster the last three weight classes for the Pirates. All three qualified for states last year.
“A lot of them have at least three years of experience with the program,” Bell said. “It’s experience and consistency.”
While youth makes up much of the smaller weight classes, Yakemiean Johnson at 132 pounds eyes a third trip to the state individual championships in February.
“Those state qualifiers worked this season and are trying to go to the top, that’s what we are aiming for,” Bell said. “What I want them to do as the top dogs is to reach down to those guys on the lower level and bring them up. If we are going to get there, we all have to get there.”
Wrestlers like sophomores Curran Bedell, Darionte McLaurin, Davieyon King and Kenson Sinclair are emerging players that Bell said will now see major time with the varsity squad.
Purnell Swett
After a historic run the Rams had last season that included an appearance in the NCHSAA 4A state duals East regional final in the program’s first visit to the team postseason event, this year’s team will have a learning curve to work through with first-year coach Rashaad Saunders and a virtually new lineup as nearly all its starters from a year ago graduated.
Saunders makes the quick move from UNCP where he served as the assistant coach for the wrestling team.
“It’s different, but it’s fun getting to teach the basics,” Saunders said. “It’s a great opportunity and these are great kids. They have a lot of potential. They are hungry and want to wrestle.”
Sophomore Cayden Scott went to states as a freshman at 113 pounds and has been an instrumental part of the leadership for the young Purnell Swett squad.
“He’s a great leader. He’s more of a do by example guy,” Saunders said. “He comes into the room every day ready to work and he has a great attitude.
Saunders sees other wrestlers like Noah Emmanuel and Seneka Locklear as guys he expects to lead the young group.
St. Pauls
Despite losing three starting transfers including state qualifier Harry Locklear, St. Pauls wrestling coach Tony McMillan doesn’t want to temper expectations this season. The Bulldogs have won three consecutive conference championships and he doesn’t see why they can’t win their fourth.
“The first goal is to win conference… and then, we want to qualify as many as we can for regionals,” said McMillan. And when we get to the state pool, we want to win a first-round match, hopefully, two rounds but the first goal is the first round…that’s not been done by St. Pauls, ever.”
To do so, McMillan will need to trust a bevy of freshman as he says the losses during the offseason dictate as much. He sees the youth as a good sign for what he hopes is a promising future.
McMillan does have a group of talented upperclassmen that he says have a “really good” work ethic. Seniors El Shaddai Edwards, Angel Hernandez, Jonathan Salvetti and Danny Garcia all expect to make positive contributions. The goal is to have at least five guys qualify for the state championships.
St. Pauls will get its first look at the other two conference opponents when it sees Clinton and Goldsboro for the first time on Dec 6.
