Now this is a dynasty.
Orange Wrestling has been dominant across Orange and Durham Counties since Bobby Shriner took over the program in 1991. When Shriner retired last May, assistant Spencer Poteat was the only true choice to replace him. Poteat grew up in the Orange program, not just wrestling under Shriner, but learning about life lessons from him.
Now, whenever someone speaks of high school sports dynasties, one can include Northern Durham’s 18 consecutive PAC-6 football championship from 1984-2000, East Chapel Hill’s twenty girls and boys state tennis championships under Coach Lindsay Linker during the 90s and 00s…and Orange wrestling winning 16 consecutive conference championship across three different classifications.
And counting.
On Thursday night, the Panthers defeated Southern Durham 70-8 in Hillsborough. Orange will be the #1 seed from the Big 8 and host a quad meet in the first round of the state dual tournament on Tuesday night. The field of 32 will be annnounced on Monday.
Orange finishes the regular season 18-0, 7-0 in the Big 8. Returning to the state championship dual meet has been a mission for the Panthers since a heartbreaking loss to Piedmont in the 3A State Dual Championship match last February. Orange led 27-17 with three matches remaining, but Piedmont rallied to win 29-27. Orange was one takedown away from its sixth state title, but instead fell two points short in what turned out to be Bobby Shriner’s final dual match as Orange head coach.
The closest match the Panthers have had all season was against Souteast Guilford during the Thanksgiving Duals on November 21, a 41-31 Orange win. However, Southeast Guilford had three wrestlers out that day, all leading to Panther forfeit victories. Chances are Orange won’t be as fortunate if there’s a rematch in the state playoffs.
Orange’s victory over Southern started with senior Bailey Hawkins pinning Anincoo Nyaangoro in 6:00. Hawkins finishes the regular season 28-4 after also pinning Marcus De La Rosa of Northern Durham in 3:10 on Wednesday.
Junior Levi Anderson pinned Demetrius Moore in :23. Anderson, who placed 2nd in the King of Kings Tournament at Olympic High School in Charlotte two weeks ago, is now 22-5 this season.
Senior Malcolm Phillips pinned Juddah Hardville in :50 at 145. At 152, senior Mario Manduiano pinned Tyshawn Watson in 1:20 and the Panthers led 24-0 in the opening four matches.
After Avery Jenkins earned a forfeit victory, senior Trey Jones pinned A’Cire Collins in 1:17. At 182, senior Josiah Ramirez concluded the regular season with a major decision win over Zatay Lindensy 13-3.
Senior Braden Homsey remained undefeated by pinning William Torain in :31.
At 113, Mitchell Askew pinned Tyree Hunter in 1:06. Justin Hutchins scored a pin at 1:20 in 3:23. Junior Gavin Wiggins earned a pin in the final match of the night over Zion Mcare in 2:48.
Southern Durham’s Xavier McGhee got a 6-1 victory over Donald Hicks at 220. Shaheed Davis of Southern earned the Spartans only pinfall victory of the night in 3:34.