New stage? No problem for the Aiken High wrestling team.
The Region 5-AAAA champions stormed out to a big early lead in Saturday’s second-round playoff match against Beaufort, then got the results they needed late in a 43-28 victory that sent the Hornets to the third round.
Aiken scored the first 22 points of the match to take firm control, but Beaufort made a charge midway through to give the Hornets a scare at 28-19 and then at 31-25. Aiken responded, though, with 12 of the last 15 points to seal the victory.
A pivotal match came in the 170-pound weight class, with Aiken clinging to that 31-25 lead. Enter Jonathan Mangione, who powered his way to a quick pin that gave the Hornets the breathing room they needed.
Please click HERE to read the rest of The Aiken Standard article.