Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Michael Shropshire reacts during his 215-pound championship match in Class 1A on Monday. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)
GREENSBORO – The third consecutive individual state championship for Uwharrie Charter Academy junior Lorenzo Alston was an expected highlight.
Then look at what Eastern Randolph did in Class 1A during the state tournament at First Horizon Coliseum.
The Wildcats produced a state champion for the first time in 22 years – and they had two of them Monday at First Horizon Coliseum. Junior David Lambright (126 pounds) and sophomore Maddox Carson (285) claimed the championships.
Michael Shropshire, a junior 215-pounder, added his name to UCA’s title list.
Alston (39-0) set himself up to be part of an elite list if he can repeat his success next year despite an atypical result in the final. He handled Bradford Prep sophomore Michael Mauro for a 12-2 decision at 157 pounds.
“Just go out there and wrestling to my abilities,” said Alston, who pointed out he was feeling a bit ill.
So it was the first time this season one of Alston’s matches lasted six minutes. All others ended in pins, technical falls or forfeits. He led 6-1 after the first period.
“I got the job done,” Alston said. “Finally get to say it’s over.”
It was slightly more complicated for Shropshire, who overcame Mt. Airy’s Aaron Ruiz-Angel for a 17-7 decision. It was tied 4-4 going to the third period.
“He wasn’t beating me,” Shropshire said. “I started putting on my ‘A’ game.”
Shropshire recorded three takedowns in the final 95 seconds.
“I try to not be in my head,” he said. “It feels like my work has paid off.”
Alston needed just one move in Sunday’s semifinals, turning that into a 37-second pin of Starmount’s Brodie Wright. Alston began with a technical fall in 1:25 against Wesley Willey of East Stokes.
Shropshire used overtime for a decision against Alleghany’s Dylan Phipps in the first round, using a takedown with 15 seconds to go in the extra period. Then came his 16-7 semifinal decision against Rosewood’s Nick Wade.
Eastern Randolph’s titles came in vastly different fashions.
Carson (35-7) needed overtime to fend off Alleghany’s Jason Vielandi, recording a takedown 28 seconds into the extra session for a 4-1 victory.
“You’re just nervous in overtime,” Carson said. “You both want it.”
Carson, who weighed in at 241 pounds, is right guard on Eastern Randolph’s football team.
Lambright needed only 2:51 to produce a technical fall against Kale Stephenson of Swain County in the final.
Lambright (46-2) said he was surprised “by winning by so much.” He did a black flip on the mat after his hand was raised.
On Sunday, Lambright notched a 54-second pin and another fall in the second period against Polk County’s Amon Villarreal and South Stanly’s Ikey Holt. Carson flattened both his opponents – Cherryville’s Ahmir Starr and Pamlico County’s Jacquin Kirkman – with second-period pins.
UCA’s Andrew White (120, 30-12), Aiden Foster (165, 49-5) and Caden Bond (175, 49-3) placed third. Teammates Ayven Virasone Chitavong (106, 47-4), Rick Riccardella (138, 32-7) and Brandon Jordan (144, 31-9) placed fourth.
Mt. Airy won the team title with 147½ points, with UCA second at 112½.
