Tesar claims 125-pound title during third annual Battle at Little Big Horn

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on January 14, 2008 4:17 PM

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Four Wayne County grapplers -- all seniors -- seized gold medals during the third annual Battle at Little Big Horn wrestling invitational contested Saturday at Eastern Wayne.

The Warriors' Chris Tesar edged New Bern's Jeremy Althizer 10-9 for the 125-pound title and remained unbeaten in 32 outings this season. Foy Coley turned back Jacksonville White Oak's Eric Norvell 8-5 in the 215-pound championship.

Southern Wayne's Tristan Bass scored the tournament's biggest upset. The 145-pounder shocked Louisburg's Noel Mueller 9-3 in the finals and handed Mueller his first defeat in 32 contests this season. Josh Robinson nipped Swansboro's Casey Collins 4-3 for the heavyweight gold medal.

Eastern Wayne's Zach Hahn claimed third-place honors with a 4-3 decision over Louisburg's Ahmadou Camara. Meanwhile, the Saints' John Futrell took third at 160 pounds.

Perennial Class 4-A power New Bern successfully defended its team championship with a whopping 209 points. The Bears placed 11 of 12 competitors among the top four in their respective weight classes with eight grapplers taking either first or second place.

Raleigh Athens Drive finished a distant second with 137 points. White Oak (130), South Central (106) and Washington (102.5) rounded out the top five.

Southern Wayne recorded 93 points, good enough for sixth place. The host Warriors were eighth overall with 83.5 points.