PEMBROKE — The Lumberton wrestling team claimed the Robeson County wrestling championship on Wednesday at Purnell Swett.
The Pirates closed out the regular season by defeating Purnell Swett, 73-5, and St. Pauls,65-12.
“It’s just another step for us in this process,”Lumberton coach Jamie Bell said. “We try to start being the best team in the county, and then the best team in the conference, try to be the best team in the region, try to be the best team in the state.”
Lumberton’s run to the championship included two wins apiece on the mat from Kenson Sinclair, Davieyon King-McAllister, Tray Regan and Austin Lowery.
“This was good getting that experience and that confidence,” Bell said. “This is good to get this county championship under their belt to carry on to conference and regionals.”
The Pirates claimed wins by fall or forfeit in all but three matches against the Rams to close out Sandhills Athletic Conference play with a 6-1 record. The lone loss came against Jack Britt.
St. Pauls’ Damien Ortiz claimed a pin in the first round against Lumberton at 126 pounds.
In the final match of the night, St. Pauls defeated Purnell Swett 42-30.
The Bulldogs received a win by fall from El Shaddai Edwards at 160 pounds and the other six victories coming by forfeit.
Purnell Swett claimed victories by pin from Antonio Prince at 170 pounds and Timothy Kamalu in the heavyweight bout.
Next up for the county’s wrestling team is the postseason. Purnell Swett and Lumberton will wrestle in the Sandhills Athletic Conference championships at Jack Britt. St. Pauls will open play in the NCHSAA state dual team playoffs on Wednesday.
