Published: 2:16 PM, 11/19/2009

Last updated: 11:46 AM, 11/23/2009

By: Steve Behr Sports Editor

By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com
There was plenty for Watauga's wrestling team to overcome in its 40-36 win over visiting North Wilkes Wednesday night.
For starters, the Pioneers had to deal with conceding four forfeits to the Vikings, giving North Wilkes 24 points. Watauga received forfeits in two weights, but still have to find 12 points to make up.
"We had four forfeits and they had two, so we were definitely giving up some points," Watauga coach James Eichmiller said. "My experienced guys did their jobs and some new guys got some wins, so that's what made the difference."
So it was no surprise that the overall team total would end up being resolved in the final match of the night. That was when Watauga's Ethan Henson beat Chad Billings 6-3 to clinch the team win.
Henson went in the match with Watauga clinging to a 37-36 lead. A Henson loss would have given the Vikings a minimum of three points and the victory.
Henson stayed aggressive by working two takedowns, and still held to a 4-3 lead after Billings escaped from him three times.
With the result of the match still in question, Henson scored a takedown with two seconds left in the third period to claim the victory.
"It was good to add a little excitement to a home match like that," James Eichmiller said. "He kind of sealed the deal there. It was close. It was 4-3 and if (Billings) gets that takedown, we lose that match and the overall points, too."
Watauga ended up winning six of the eight matches that were wrestled.
The Pioneers got of to a fast start when Walker Funk beat Aaron Walker 8-6, which was followed by a Jason Woods pinfall victory at 135 pounds over Mark Finchum. When William Pinkerton pinned Bryan Baity in the second period, the Pioneers held a 15-0 lead.
That was when the forfeits got the Vikings back in the match. Forfeit wins at 145 and 152 pounds were countered by a 13-3 win at 160 pounds by Jacob Gilliam, which put the Pioneers in front 19-12.
Another forfeit at 171 pounds combined with a pinfall victory for North Wilkes' Josh Hutchins at 189 pounds over Travis Gryder allowed the Vikings to take a 24-19 lead, but Watauga's Dylan Ashley overcame a 3-1 deficit to pin Justin Collins in the second period to give the Pioneers a 25-24 lead.
Watauga's Gus Coffey and Josh Herman won their matches at 103 and 112 pounds with forfeits, but North Wilkes' John Richardson pinned Nolan Burleson to close Watauga's lead to 37-36.
 "It's hard to expect a kid that's been wrestling only two or three weeks to go out there and win a match," Eichmiller said.
Watauga hosts the Old Appalachian Invitational Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.


Watauga 40, North Wilkes 36
(Match began at 130 pounds)
130-Walker Funk (W) d. Aaron Walker 8-6
135-Jason Woods (W) p. Mark Finchum, 1st
140-William Pinkerton (W) p. Bryan Baity, 2nd
145-Zach Eller (NW) won by forfeit
152-Tyler Wagoner (NW) won by forfeit
160-Jacob Gilliam (W) d. Jarred Dimmette, 13-3
171-Dalton Anderson (NW) won by forfeit
189-Josh Hutchins (NW) p. Travis Gryder
215-Austin Holloway (NW) won by forfeit
285-Dylan Ashley (W) p. Justin Collins, 2nd
103-Gus Coffey (W) won by forfeit
112-Josh Herman (W) won by forfeit
119-John Richardson (NW) p. Nolan Burleson, 1st
125-Ethan Henson (W) d. Chad Billings, 6-3

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