Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Brandon Jordan controls North East Carolina Prep’s Christian Test during a 126-pound match. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)
ASHEBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team won two duals Saturday to advance in the Class 1-A state playoffs.
The Eagles were at home as the East Region’s top seed, defeating Pender 66-18 and North East Carolina Prep 49-28.
That sends UCA to Wednesday’s action against Pamlico, with Thomasville and host Rosewood also meeting in the third round at that site. The third-round winners meet later Wednesday with a spot in the state final at stake.
The title matchup takes place Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum complex.
UCA reached the state final last year before losing.
** Also in Class 1-A at Thomasville, No. 11 seed Eastern Randolph upset sixth-seeded North Moore 52-27 before falling to third-seeded Thomasville by 48-33.
** In Class 2-A at Trinity, fourth-seeded Trinity eliminated No. 13 seed West Wilkes 45-30 before falling to fifth-seeded Lincolnton by 43-32.
At Rutherfordton, second-seeded Rutherfordton-Spindale Central topped No. 14 seed Southwestern Randolph 46-20.
** In Class 3-A at Newton, eighth-seeded Ashe County stopped ninth-seeded Asheboro 36-30.
Swimming
At Kernersville, Asheboro’s girls were third and the school’s boys were fifth in the Mid-Piedmont Conference championships last week at the Kernersville Family YMCA.
Megan Becker of Asheboro won the girls’ 200-yard freestyle in 2 minutes, 1.61 seconds and the 100 butterfly in 1:02.35. Teammate Maci Columbia was the winner in the 200 individual medley in 2:29.72 and 500 freestyle in 5:56.20.
The Blue Comets also won the 400 freestyle relay in 4:11.65 with Columbia, Fiona Wolfe-Roberts, Madison Burnette and Becker.
On the boys’ side, Asheboro’s Tyler Smith was the champion in the 100 freestyle in 56.10.