Wrestlers perform well against Division I foes

By Joel Beachum
Staff Writer

On Nov. 26 at the Carolina Rumble on the Hill in Chapel Hill, N.C., Willie Hilton, who wrestles in the 141-pound weight class, finished in fourth place.

J.J. Davis also reached the championship quarterfinal round in the 165-pound division.

UNC-Greensboro's Kevin Artis won the championship quarterfinals match.

Photo by Carol Franch

"We have had several wrestlers step up. J.J. Davis is starting to come into his own.

Kevin Jones and Brandon Wallace are starting to win.

As soon as they start winning more, that will help us out," Smith said.

North Carolina State held its Wolfpack Open on Nov. 19 in Raleigh, N.C., and the Braves had seven wrestlers place in the event.

UNCP head wrestling coach P.J. Smith commented on the young team working to find which wrestlers best fit where.

Going against high-level competition from the Atlantic Coast Conference and beyond has helped them fast improve.

"We are in the development part of our season. We are trying to see who is who and what is what," said Smith. "We are starting seven or eight freshmen, so this lets us see how we are doing against real good competition."

Cedric Turner, Eddo Hojilla and James Dingle all came in second during the weekend tournament at North Carolina State.

Turner, who wrestles in the 165-pound weight class, reached the finals of the event before finishing in the runner-up spot to eventual champion Mark Ring by an 8-0 score.

There was also a place in the finals of the 149-pound division for Hojilla, who lost to Joe Caramatica of NCSU.

Smith said the team, while finding success, hopes to continue its improvement after losing four seniors and three graduating All-Americans from last season.

"We are taking our lumps because we have had some injuries. We have had a number of injuries to some key people," Smith added. "Right now though, we are trying to get ready for regional and national competition, so it is important to wrestle against some Division I competition."