The Watauga High wrestling team put together another successful effort at the Mark Adams Classic in Cary, NC, just before the Christmas break.

The Pioneers produced five place finishers, including one champion. Gus Coffey won the title at 103 pounds. He was 4-0 with a pair of pinfalls. Coffey is now 22-1 on the year.
"Gus had a great tournament," said WHS coach James Eichmiller. "To come in here against this kind of competition, and to win a championship, is very impressive. But I can't say I'm really surprised. Gus has been consistent all year."
Demetre Kostis finished fourth at 125. He was 3-2 with a pinfall. Mark Townsend at 112, Jonah Critcher at 152 and Grant Catoe at 171 all finished sixth. Townsend and Critcher were both 3-3 with a pinfall; Catoe was 3-3 with a pair of pinfalls. The only blemish concerned Jacob Gilliam.
Gilliam, who entered the tournament undefeated, made it to the field of 32 before he suffered his first loss of the year. He then was forced to withdraw from the tournament because of injury default.
"It was tough tournament for Jacob," Eichmiller said. "He got hurt and it forced to him to withdraw. He'll be all right. He's put together a very good season, so far. But the rest of our kids did real well. This is a tough field, and to produce a champion and five place finishers is big for us."
The PIoneers will break for the holidays. They travel to North Wilkes for an individual tournament on New Year's Day.

RESULTS:

103 - GUS COFFEY. 1ST 4-0 WITH 2 PINFALLS

112 - MARK TOWNSEND. 6TH 3-3 WITH 1 PINFALL

125 - DEMETRE KOSTIS, 4TH 3-2 WITH 1 PINFALL

152 - JONAH CRITCHER, 6TH 3-3 WITH 1 PINFALL

171 - GRANT CATOE, 6TH 3-3 WITH 2 PINFALLS