Parkland advances in 4-A

By: JournalNow Staff | From staff reports
Published: February 08, 2012

Parkland is now three matches from winning a sixth straight NCHSAA state wrestling title.

Parkland (47-0) beat Charlotte Ardrey Kell 59-15 and Asheville Roberson 36-27 on Tuesday night to advance to Thursday's Class 4-A matches, where quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will be held at a site to be determined.

In the quarterfinals, Parkland will wrestle Southeast Guilford (23-2), which defeated West Forsyth 39-33 in the second round. A victory would put Parkland in the semifinals against the winner of the Mooresville-Monroe Sun Valley match. Mooresville defeated Davie County 35-33 in the second round.

Coach Maurice Atwood of Parkland said his team had a tough time beating Roberson for a second time this season.

"We started at 170 (pounds), and they are really good, unbelievable, from 160 through heavyweight," Atwood said. "So we started out right in the heart of their order, and I knew they would build a lead on us. But we came back and took control. We were up 36-21, and I forfeited the last match."

If Parkland wins two matches Thursday, it will wrestle at home Saturday for the state championship.

In Class 2-A, North Surry defeated Randleman 43-29 in the first round before losing to Monroe Piedmont 33-30. High Point Andrews defeated Thomasville 48-21 in the second round.

Andrews (14-4) will wrestle Newton-Conover (40-2) on Thursday night. The winner will face the Trinity Wheatmore-Monroe Piedmont winner later Thursday night.

In Class 1-A, West Wilkes defeated 47-27 in the second round. West Wilkes (20-1) will wrestle Mitchell County (31-3) in the semifinals.