Prep Roundup: UCA, Trinity wrestlers notch early successes

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Ayven Virasone Chitavong, right, locks up with a Cary wrestler during a match in last week’s dual meet. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)

Several area wrestling teams had strong starts to their seasons last week.

Uwharrie Charter Academy won five meets, including by 51-26 against Wilmington Laney in the final, to win the Panther Creek Catamount Duals on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, UCA topped Cary 78-0 and Southeast Guilford 71-3 in home duals.

** Trinity placed third out of 23 in the two-day Wakefield Wolverine Challenge in Raleigh, boosted by Jeven Palmer and Joseph Trahan with undefeated records and Edgar Vasquez with six victories.

On the girls’ side, Trinity was 15th out of 25, with Briana Joyce the team’s top participant.

** In the Atkins Invitational, Asheboro’s Oscar Zelaya was an individual champion at 132 pounds, defeating Rhodes Shaw of West Wilkes by 14-10 in the final.

Zelaya reached the title bout with a pin and two earlier decisions. The Blue Comets were 15th out of 19 teams in the team standings. Greensboro Dudley was the team champion.

In girls’ competition, Asheboro placed seventh out of 17, led by Andrea Thornton’s first-place finish.

** Trinity’s boys won three dual meets last week at Asheboro, topping the host Blue Comets 48-17 and defeating Jordan-Matthews 65-0 and Pinecrest 46-30.

Asheboro also defeated Jordan-Matthews by 59-18, but lost by 70-6 to Pinecrest.

Meanwhile, Southwestern Randolph topped Salisbury 48-30.

Girls’ basketball

Lainey Thomas scored 19 points, Nevaeh Staples had 17 points and Naimah Al-Arif added 10 points as Uwharrie Charter Academy opened the season with a 68-48 victory at Falls Lake.

Boys’ basketball

UCA dropped a 58-54 decision at Falls Lake to begin its season. Camden Cooke posted 18 points for Falls Lake.