UCA wrestler Alston completes historic wrestling feat

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Lorenzo Alston holds down Mt. Pleasant’s Jacob Reigel during the 175-pound Class 4A state final Saturday in Greensboro. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record)

GREENSBORO — Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Lorenzo Alston became one of the most accomplished wrestlers in state history by capturing his fourth state championship.

Alston won the Class 4A title at 175 pounds Saturday night at First Horizon Coliseum. He’s one of 17 four-time state champs in North Carolina.

“I did it. The job is done,” Alston said. “Then I was thinking about my celebrations, and what I was going to do for my celebration because I had a different celebration in mind and went totally away from that. My mind was everywhere. Just excited, very excited.”

That excitement was demonstrated as his on-mat reaction included a cartwheel and backflip after handling Mount Pleasant’s Jacob Reigel for an 8-1 decision in his last match and finishing a third consecutive unbeaten season.

Alston was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler in Class 4A. He finished his career with a 202-2 record, with the losses as a freshman to out-of-state opponents.

“It’s a blessing to keep coming back,” Alston said of the states, though admitting it all seems normal. “It has gotten to that point a little bit.”

He’s a North Carolina State signee.

Also becoming four-time champions Saturday were Bentley Sly, a 150-pounder for Stuart Cramer in Class 4A, and Cael Dunn, a 215-pounder for South Davidson in Class 1A/2A (after winning his first three with Avery County).

Earlier in the tournament, Alston pinned South Rowan’s Aiden Carter in 58 seconds and dominated East Gaston’s Zane Dodd for a technical fall in 3:54.

UCA’s other place finishers were Andrew White (120), Paxton Kearns (126) and Huntley Adcock (132) in third place and Caleb Saldana (138) and Travis Nobles (157) in fourth place.

Asheboro’s Zelaya is runner-up

In Class 6A, Oscar Zelaya of Asheboro placed second at 126 pounds.

Piedmont’s Caleb Edwards broke a 4-4 tie to begin the third period on the way to scoring seven points in less than a minute in an 11-6 victory against Zelaya.

“We fell into wrestling (Edwards’) style instead of our style,” Asheboro coach Cliff Thompson said.

Zelaya lost twice to Edwards last season.

Zelaya, a junior, notched two technical falls to reach the final. He finished Drew Lawrence of Union Pines in 3:32 in the opening round and then handled St. Stephens’ Malachai Esclamado in 2:58 of the semifinals.