By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville’s wrestling program went from good to great last year when the Yellow Jackets turned heads — and twisted torsos — by winning 17 meets and 225 individual matches.
The 20-man Yellow Jackets are even better this season and Yellow Jackets Rayland Martinez, 285 pounds; Evan Burks, 144 pounds; and Hayden Hunt, 150 pounds will compete in the state finals this weekend.
There’s a good chance one of three will emerge as Hayesville’s first state champion. Jacob Matheson, 32-4, came close in 2015 when he finished runner-up in the 195 pound class.
On paper, Martinez, who’s won 33 of 39 matches this year, looks like the best bet. He heads to state with a bullseye on his back. “Rayland is reaping the rewards of three years of hard work,” Coach Colby White said. “In the last three weeks he has pinned the No. 1 and No. 2 wrestlers in the state. He now has the top ranking. Now he has to prove it.”
Hunt sports a 30-11 record. “Hayden is a third-year guy,” White said. “His growth from his sophomore year to his senior year has been phenomenal.”
Burks is 30-12. “Evan is a freshman. The future is very, very bright for him,” White says.
“All three have a fantastic chance,” White remarked.
Hayesville’s grapplers entered the hallowed world of the elite after advancing to Tuesday’s third round of the North Carolina Dual Team Playoffs by beating Christ the King in the first round and upsetting state power Avery in round two.
White’s grapplers have a stellar 22-5 record, best in Hayesville history.
“The boys have been progressing all
year. They rose to every occasion,” White says.