Mitchell sophomore Camron Cook looks to make an impression during the recent wrestling state championships in Greensboro. Cook and senior Noah Maltba represented the Mountaineers. (Submitted)
Two Mitchell wrestlers finished out the high school season on Feb. 26-27 with top-six finishes at the NCHSAA State Championships in Greensboro.
Sophomore Camron Cook dropped an opening-round match against Ryan Baker of Pamlico County but came back with a pin over Ranger Dunlap of North Moore in the consolation round. Cook then got a rematch with Blake Sain of Swain in the consolation semi-finals.
Sain got the better of the rematch, pinning Cook and moving on to the consolation finals where he also pinned Tyler Parrish of Rosewood to earn third place.
Senior Noah Maltba took on eventual runner-up Joseph Akers in round one. Akers earned the pin and dropped Maltba to the consolation bracket where he scored an exciting 5-4 victory over Ryan Deloach of Rosewood.
Maltba then dropped his next bout to Mason Grindstaff of Cherryville who went on to finish third. Maltba finished the season as the wins leader for the Mountaineers, ending the season at 27-17.
Avery High won the team title in 1A, placing all 11 qualifiers and earning top honors in five weights. Levi Andrews (heavyweight) became the 11th four-time champion in North Carolina history while Ethan Shell earned his third title.