WNC wrestlers pin upsets on tourney favorites

By Andrew Pearson, Asheville Citizen Times, Dec 31

HENDERSONVILLE - Manny Deshauteurs' highlight reel is now six minutes and three periods of wrestling longer. The Brevard senior, whose moves on the football field thrilled fans last fall, survived a tense final-round match against Kings Mountain's Anthony Hillman to capture the 189-pound weight class title in the Falcon Invitational Thursday night.

In a bloody match that resulted in a couple of timeouts for clean-up purposes, Deshauteurs prevailed and kept a coy smile on his face the entire time.

"He really came through and wrestled a smart match," said Blue Devil head coach Vernon Bryson. "He knows the state championships will be another level and he'll have to step up. This match will help and that's a big reason we came to this tournament."

Bryson, who also assists with Brevard's football team, has witnessed some of Deshauteurs' finest moments this year.

"You see once in a while, maybe every 10 years, an athlete who can make a smooth transition from one sport to another," said Bryson. "It's been a privilege as a coach in both football and wrestling to see him play. He's a special kid and I'm looking for big things from him after high school."

In the 160- and 135-pound classes, Enka's Phillip Bohanon and tournament MVP Pete Chernus from Erwin shocked a pair of previously undefeated wrestlers from powerhouse Farragut (Tenn.).

Chernus upended favorite Joe Knox (23-0) 8-4, just minutes after Bohanon handed Ryan Dix (28-0) his first defeat of the season by the same score.

"He was a tough kid, huge," said Bohanon of Dix. "I've got to give it to God for that win. This is the year to step up and I owe that to my coaching and mat partner."

Other WNC winners included: Jason Sawyer (Robbinsville) in 103; Brandon Gates (West Henderson) in 119; Aaron Matthews (Pisgah) in 140; Brian Hill (Pisgah) in 152; and Chris Dozier, heavyweight.

Gates' and Dozier's victories helped the host team Falcons finish fourth overall in the team competition with 143 points, behind third place Pisgah- WNC's highest placing squad.

Irmo, S.C. won the overall team championship.

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