This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is sophomore wrestler Jordan Barbee. On December 20, Barbee won the 190-pound championship of the Eagle Invitational at the Mebane Arts and Community Center. Barbee scored pins in all four of his matches en route to the championship. In the final, he defeated Eastern Alamance’s Christopher Schild in 39 seconds. This season, Barbee leads Orange with 29 wins. He also leads the team with 21 pins and three technical fall victories. Barbee opened the season with a fourth place finish at the Wolverine Challenge at Wakefield High in Raleigh. Last week, Barbee was the only local competitor to place in the men’s tournament at the Tiger Holiday Classic at Chapel Hill High School. On November 22, Barbee finished third at the Red Wolf Classic at Cedar Ridge High School, defeating Rylan Alvarez of Uwharrie Charter 7-0 in the consolation final. At the Jim King/Orange Invitational on December 6, Barbee finished fourth. Last year as a freshman, Barbee was third on the team with 27 wins. On December 10, Barbee earned wins in a tri-match against Western Alamance and Southeast Alamance in Elon. He is undefeated against Big 7 Conference opposition this year. On Wednesday, Barbee will continue with this season with a tri-meet at Durham School of the Arts featuring the N.C. School of Science and Math.
