Prep wrestling preview: There’s a reason Charlotte Latin dominates
It starts in sixth grade at Charlotte Latin.
Head coach David Paige begins teaching the Hawks’ middle-schoolers about the Charlotte Latin style of wrestling.
“Coach has certain moves,” said Davis Jones, a two-time defending N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association state champion at 126 pounds. “We learn those moves, and they work.”
“And we grow from there,” added Liam McConaughy, a 126-pounder who has won the last two NCISAA 113-pound state championships.
Paige is in his 14th season as head coach at Charlotte Latin.
His teams have compiled a 105-1 record against NCISAA competition and figure to add considerably to the record this season — with the goal of repeating as state team champion.
Paige has a system, and his system works.
The result is a program that has more than 100 wrestlers from sixth through 12th grades.
“Our success is a testament to the kids we have,” Paige said. “They are dedicated. I’m proud of our consistency.”
It begins in middle school, McConaughy said.
“Starting in sixth grade, the middle schoolers work with the high schoolers,” said McConaughy, who plans to wrestle next season at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. “They look up to us, and we try to be good mentors to them.”
Spear Gorelick, a 150-pounder who finished second in the state a year ago and is a Davidson commit, said the Latin program is well-organized.
“We have several coaches,” he said. “The assistant coaches follow the system, but each of them has certain things they’ve taught us.”
Wrestlers take pride in the program, Gorelick said.
“When I was a kid, I saw the older guys wearing their jackets, and I wanted to be like them,” said Gorelick, who joined the program in sixth grade. “There’s a lot of pride in our wrestling program.”
McConaughy, also a member of the program since sixth grade, said the Hawks know other schools aim for them.
“We know other teams want to beat us,” he said. “Coach tells us to embrace that.”
However, he added, “Coach also said being from Latin gives us an advantage for only about 30 seconds into the match. After that, we have to work for what we get.”
Jones’ road to the state championship last season was particularly tough. He wrestled in the finals with a broken left ankle.
“Coach wouldn’t let me wrestle on my feet,” he said.
Despite not being able to stand for long, Jones captured the title.
McConaughy, Jones and Gorelick said they feel as if this season’s version of Charlotte Latin wrestling is special.
“I think this is the best team I’ve been on,” McConaughy said.
“Coach thinks this will be a really good team,” Jones added.
“But we know we’ll have to work for it,” Gorelick said.
Preseason wrestling outlook
BOYS’ WRESTLING
(all teams and individuals listed alphabetically)
Teams to watch
Charlotte Latin: In a word, the Hawks are loaded. They return state champions in Dino Lambos (120), Liam McConaughy (126), Davis Jones (138) and Banks Cutter (215), and there are plenty of other championship hopefuls on this deep squad.
Hough: The Huskies were 4A dual meet quarterfinalists a year ago and are experienced, with Auggie Raheim (138), Tyton Kostoff (150) and Vincent Grack (157).
Mallard Creek: The Mavericks reached the second round of last season’s 4A dual meet quarterfinals. They are off to a strong start again, featuring Charles Thompson (15-4 so far at 132 pounds), Khalil Rhodes (15-2 at 157), and Avery Small (14-2 at 285).
Piedmont: Jaxon Thomas (113), third in the state last year, and Elijah Oakley (14-0 at 157) lead a deep Panther team that figures to be a 6A title contender.
South Iredell: Charlie Fogle (120) and Sam Harper (190) lead a strong lineup that should challenge Mooresville in the North Piedmont 6A/7A.
West Lincoln: After reaching the 2A semifinals last winter, West Lincoln is rebuilding and has several freshmen and sophomores in the lineup. But the program is strong, and this team should be a contender by tournament time.
Wrestlers to watch
Jace Barrier, Mooresville, senior: He’s the defending 4A state champion at 120 pounds after a 53-1 season as a junior. Barrier is wrestling at 138 this season.
Banks Cutter, Charlotte Latin, senior: Cutter won the NCISAA championship at 285 pounds last winter.
Austin Green, Mooresville, senior: Green was 29-1 last season and won the 4A state crown at 138 pounds. He’s wrestling at 157 this season.
Tyton Kostoff, Hough, junior: After going 40-7 and finishing third at 132 pounds last season, Kostoff is 12-0 this year at 150 pounds.
Liam McConaughy, Charlotte Latin, senior: A two-time defending state champion, McConaughy will wrestle at 126 pounds this winter.
Jaxon Thomas, Piedmont, junior: Thomas went 55-1 last season, finishing third at 113 pounds. He’s off to a 16-1 start this season, wrestling at 113 again.
Aiden White, Weddington, junior: The defending 126-pound 4A state champ, White is coming off a 42-2 season. He’s off to a 12-1 start at 144 pounds, and, with teammate Gage Klee, makes the Warriors a tough opponent.
New faces to watch
Caleb Edwards, Piedmont, sophomore: Edwards has opened the season with a 14-3 record at 132 pounds.
Jackson D’Ettore, Charlotte Catholic, sophomore: D’Ettore reached the 106-poound finals last season and is off to a 5-0 start this year at 126 pounds.
Dino Lambos, Charlotte Latin, sophomore: Lambos came into his own late last season, finishing 27-4 and winning the 106-pound NCISAA state crown. He should be even more dominant this season.
Averett Lindsay, Mooresville, freshman: Lindsay, a 132-pounder, has opened with a 3-1 record.
Drew Teeter, Mooresville, sophomore: Teeter was sixth at 157 pounds last year, wrestling with a broken rib in the state tournament. He’ll wrestle at 165 and 175 this season.
Jace Webster-Jackson, Mallard Creek, sophomore: He is 8-2 at 126 pounds and has been among the Mavericks’ bright spots.
GIRLS’ WRESTLING
(all teams and individuals listed alphabetically)
Wrestlers to watch
Brooke Jackson, Mallard Creek, senior: Jackson, a 120-pounder, is off to a 12-1 start.
Jala Webster-Jackson, Mallard Creek, freshman: She has made an auspicious debut, going 12-3 at 132 pounds.
Rylynn Keziah, Parkwood, sophomore: Keziah is the defending state champion at 185 pounds and is 7-0 this season.
Jasmine Laing, Providence, senior: Laing was fifth in the state at 132 pounds last year with a 32-8 record. She is 6-0 this season at 138.
Valerie Martinez, South Mecklenburg, senior: Part of a talented Sabres squad, Martinez is 8-0 at 132.
Morgan Pride, Ardrey Kell, sophomore: Pride is 5-0 at 138 pounds.
Clear Wesley, A.L. Brown, senior: After a 38-11 campaign last season and a sixth-place finish (185), Wesley has opened 6-0 at 235.
