Mark Holbrook was unapologetically excited.<\/p>\n
Moments after Jacksonville\u2019s 46-30 senior night wrestling victory over White Oak on Wednesday night, the longtime coach of the Cardinals ran and leaped into a huddle of his grapplers as if he was jumping into a mosh pit.<\/p>\n
Holbrook and the Cardinals weren\u2019t shy as they once again flexed their muscles, kept bragging rights over the Vikings and secured the Big Carolina 6-A\/7-A Conference\u2019s only automatic 6-A dual-team playoff berth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always good to beat your crosstown rivals,\u201d Holbrook said. \u201cMost of us, the kids and coaches, are friends, and we do lunches together and hang out at tournaments together. We get a little agitated with each other … but we love each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
The friendly rivalry between the Vikings and Cardinals continued as Holbrook and White Oak coach Don Hoff lightheartedly bantered back and forth following the match that featured teams that were a combined 37-3 in dual-team action.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were nervous, but we knew we could outwrestle them,\u201d Holbrook said. \u201cThey almost outcoached us, but we stayed to our true self, which is being very good at the basics, and they were looking to do the big moves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoff only smiled as he listened to his friend and coaching counterpart enjoy post-match fun at his expense.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a while since we\u2019ve had a big match between the two teams,\u201d Hoff said. \u201cIt actually lined up like we wanted it to, we just got caught a couple of times. A couple of matches didn\u2019t go our way … but it happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the result wasn\u2019t for the Big Carolina Conference title \u2013 the crown went to 7-A New Been \u2013 the match determined which team would automatically make the 6-A dual-team playoffs.<\/p>\n
In the end, it was Jacksonville (24-2, 4-1) that walked away with the edge over White Oak (14-2, 3-2).<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to say that we were nervous because we knew what we had,\u201d said freshman Gabriel Robida, who won his 126-pound match. \u201cWe knew we could beat them. We know that we are the best team here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Junior Gavin Costillo, a winner at 132, agreed that the Cardinals wanted to show their strength. Earlier this month, Jacksonville outscored White Oak by 9.5 points to win its third consecutive Onslow County Cup title.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were a little nervous, but we were focused on dominating and showing everyone that Jacksonville is still here and still the best,\u201d Costillo said. \u201cThis means a lot because we all have worked hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next up for the Cardinals as a team is the NCHSAA dual-team playoffs. The playoff seedings will be released on Jan. 29. Jacksonville has finished as the East Regional runner-up the last two seasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work hard in our room, and we make sure we give it all we got,\u201d Robida said. \u201cWe challenge each other and we don\u2019t give up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, White Oak is not giving up hope for a wildcard dual-team berth.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a feeling that we are still going to be in the duals,\u201d Hoff said. \u201cMaybe we will get Jacksonville again.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, White Oak took an 18-6 lead as sophomore Hayden Smith opened with a pin in 1 minute, 1 second over Arlens Surin at 157.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville senior Brock Smith followed with a 47-second pin over Noah Hanna at 165 before the Vikings got pins in the next two matches \u2013 junior Jacob Campos defeated Dishaunn Tuner in 34 seconds at 175 and freshman Liam Smith topped Koby Maready in 2:41 at 190.<\/p>\n
Then the Cardinals took charge.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville junior Jonathan Berry pinned Vash Ball in 3:42 at 215 and senior Hunter Saiebilski defeated Skyler Snider 10-0 at 285.<\/p>\n
Freshman Jake Geist then pinned Ty Nicklas in four minutes at 106, sophomore Tyler Gardner pinned Jhianni Fowler in 1:32, sophomore Garrett Moses defeated Justin Campos 14-9 at 120, Robida pinned Jamison Gianneti in 3:29 at 126 and Costillo topped Robert Alexander 8-3 at 132. Senior Maxwell Davis won via forfeit at 138.<\/p>\n
The match concluded with two White Oak wins as senior Colten Lewis pinned Elijah Bailey in 2:56 at 144 and senior James Campos pinned Aiden Allen in 1:30 at 150.<\/p>\n
\u201cRobida and Costillo got some big wins for us,\u201d Holbrook said. \u201cI was not 100% confident going in. I was thinking we could win 40-36 so winning 46-30 is nice.\u201d<\/p>\n