GREENSBORO — Cole Armstrong fought his way back through the Consolation Rounds here on Saturday afternoon at the Greensboro Coliseum to take third place at the NCHSAA 1A Individual State Championships in boys wrestling.
The Bronze Medal effort by Armstrong in the 126-pound class included a victory in the Consolation Finals over Evan Wagoner of Alleghany. Armstrong (35-2) and Wagoner (48-13) locked up in a tight one before the Bear grappler eked out a 5-4 decision.
Armstrong had beaten Brice Browning of Tarboro 36-10 in the Consolation Semifinals with by virtue of a 7-4 decision.
In opening round action in the Championship Quarterfinals on Friday, Armstrong took an impressive victory over Preston Burnett of Polk, winning a grueling match with a late fall at the 5:23 mark.
River Griffith of Avery County, the eventual state champion at 126, captured a 19-3 Technical Fall win over Armstrong at the 5:51 mark of the Championship Semifinals to deal the Bear grappler his only loss of the tournament.
At 113, Chandler Steele of Chatham Charter posted a 2-2 mark at the state championships.
Steele (31-12) opened with an impressive 17-1 Technical Fall victory over Keith Cook of Hayesville in the Championship Quarterfinals.
In the Championship Semifinals, Steele wasn’t as fortunate as the local grappler was pinned by Ethan Shell of Avery County at the 3:35 mark.
Steele rebounded with a dominating fall triumph over Averil Lafferty of Alleghany at the 4:40 mark in the Consolation Semifinals.
The quest to medal fell just short for Steele, however, as Josh Poteat of Uwharrie Charter decisioned the young Knight 7-2 in the Consolation finals of 113.
Chatham Central closed in 20th overall with 12 points while Chatham Charter ended in 21st with 10.5 points.
Uwharrie Charter added to its recent 1A Dual Team state title with a 1A Individual Team Championship as the Eagles collected 99.5 points to hold off Robbinsville which closed in second with 97.5, and Goldsboro Rosewood in third with 96.5.