After capturing the 3A conference title for the first time in 17 years, the Chapel Hill High School men’s wrestling team competed at the North Carolina 2A State Championship Individual Tournament February 22.
Wrestlers who attended the meet included senior captains Moo Soe and Divine Pipkins, sophomores Luca Daley and Auggie Gunning and freshman Porter Brice.
Coach Robert Price said each wrestler won a single match, with the exception of Brice, who won two.
“It was a good experience and sets us up for more success in the future,” he said.
Price said he is proud how the team was able to come together this season to accomplish its goals: to advance to the state playoffs and win a conference title.
“We really overachieved because the kids worked so hard,” he said. “They really did what we asked and supported each other; that made for a special season.”
Soe said attending the individual tournament was a valuable experience for him and his teammates.
“Although I didn’t perform my best, I accomplished what I wanted: to make it to states,” he said.
Soe added that he also wanted to help his teammates succeed this season and build a strong team dynamic.
“I wanted to pack as much weight as I could and help my teammates succeed this season,” he said.
Senior captain Ian Hamilton said his goal for the season was also to reach the individual state tournament.
“Unfortunately, I came up a little short in the regional round, wrestling on a hurt knee, so I did not make it to the individual tournament,” he said.
Although senior Peter Yao also did not compete in an individual event at the tournament, he said he accomplished his goals he set for this season.
“My goal was to get better and win more than I did last year,” he said. “I think I was able to accomplish this and improve.”
Soe stated that the Tigers’ win against Orange to capture the conference title is what he was most proud of this season.
“This was the first season we beat Orange in a long while, and it was a great feeling,” he said.
