Hilton, Davis showcase wrestling
By Ryan KellyStaff Writer
UNCP hosted over 20 schools across the southeast on Nov. 11 in the 26th annual Pembroke Classic wrestling meet. The English E. Jones Center was packed with more than 300 wrestling entrants and the bleachers were filled with fans as new Braves head coach Jamie Gibbs made his debut.
In what was one of the biggest Pembroke Classics ever, the competition included top Division I teams like Duke, UNC, Virginia Tech and NC State.
Highlighting action for the Braves was two-time All-American Willie Hilton who won the 149-pound weight class with a 6-3 decision in the finals to complete a perfect day on the mats.
“Willie is going to jump up from 141 to 149 this year and we really think that is a strong move for him,”Gibbs said. “Willie and I first met in July when I got here, and he has really just bought into everything that I am trying to bring to this program.”
Hilton nearly lost his perfect season record in the title match, but came back to beat number-one-seeded Sam Alvarenga of Virginia Military Institute.
Sophomore J.J. Davis also had a perfect day with a 3-2 decision in the 165-pound championship.
Davis took home the Willie Mayes Most Outstanding Wrestler award with a pair of technical falls and two major decisions on the day.
Hilton and Davis captured their second individual titles of the season after the duo finished atop their weight classes at The Citadel Open on Nov. 4.
 |
The print edition of The Pine Needle is published 14 times a year during the fall and spring semesters. Updated: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 © The University of North Carolina at Pembroke |
The Pine Needle PO Box 1510 Pembroke, NC 28372-1510 Phone: 910.521.6204 Fax: 910.522-5795 Email: pineneedle@uncp.edu |