State wrestling dual team finals set for Saturday

Championships in four classifications will be decided this weekend in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s 22nd annual dual team wrestling championships.

The championships are held on high school campuses, alternating years between Eastern and Western sites.  All of the teams advancing to the Saturday championship matches in 2-A, 3-A and 4-A earned a pair of victories on Thursday night, with the exception of one set of matches still pending due to postponements for inclement weather,  to gain a shot at the state title.

Four teams will meet on Saturday in the 1-A classification to wrestle to the crown.

Winston-Salem Parkland (40-0) seeks its fifth consecutive dual team title, with three at the 3-A level and then the 4-A crown a year ago as it travels to New Bern (17-3) in the 4-A final. Parkland has compiled an incredible 41-8 all-time in dual team playoff matches.

The 3-A final is a rematch of last year's championship this time with unbeaten Orange (20-0) traveling to Concord to  take on Jay Robinson (36-1).  The Panthers lost to Robinson 35-32 in last year's final and are seeking their fourth state championship all-time.

Monroe Piedmont (35-2) has already clinched a spot in the finals, which will be hosted by the Eastern Regional champion on Saturday. In matches on Friday night at Newport Croatan, Croatan-- the defending state champion at 2-A-- will wrestle Louisburg and Hampstead Topsail will battle Kill Devil Hills First Flight. The winners will meet later Friday night and then the survivor will host Piedmont, which was the state runner-up to Croatan last year.

In the 1-A regionals at  2p.m., Dixon will go against North Rowan and West Wilkes will wrestle Robbinsville. The winners will then collide at 5 p.m. for the state title. West Wilkes is the defending state champion and is seeking its third consecutive finals appearance.
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NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2011 DUAL TEAM WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS—22nd ANNUAL
Saturday, February 12, 2011


CLASS 4-A CHAMPIONSHIP: Winston-Salem Parkland (40-0) at New Bern (16-3), time TBA


CLASS 3-A CHAMPIONSHIP: Orange (20-0) at Concord Jay Robinson (36-1), weigh-ins at 5 p.m., championship at 6 p.m.



CLASS 2-A CHAMPIONSHIP: Piedmont (35-2) at winner of Newport Croatan pod, wrestling on Friday (Louisburg vs. Croatan, Hampstead Topsail vs. Kill Devil Hills First Flight, ppd from Thursday)


CLASS 1-A CHAMPIONSHIP: at West Wilkes
2 pm Eastern final:  Dixon (9-1)  vs. North Rowan (18-3)
2 pm Western final: West Wilkes (17-3) vs. Robbinsville (25-6)
Winners of regional matches will then wrestle for the state championship at 5 pm
-- NCHSAA release