Three starters were missing on the East Wake (3-2, 2-1) team as a result of injury and illness, and coach Brian Staples said given the initial mismatch his squad put up a great fight.

"I am very proud of the effort we put forth tonight," Staples said, noting in addition to the three absent wrestlers East Wake forfeited two weight classes - leaving the team 12 points behind out of the gate. "You cannot give a good team that type of lead and expect to be successful in the end."

Charlie Manarino, Connor Porter and Elijah Robertson led the Warriors in the match with the Wildcats with wins by fall at 125 pounds, 152 pounds, and heavyweight, respectively.

With only four starters returning to the team this season, making way for eight new starters in the lineup at each match, Staples said his team may be young but the future looks promising.

"I believe we can finish in the top three in our conference," he said. "We are improving every day - especially the first-year kids. They have been thrown right into the fire and have responded."

The coach said he's particularly pleased with the progress of Daniel Killette, Cory Estes and Kyander Moore, but said it's tough to pin-point a handful of kids when the whole team is putting in the work needed to progress.

Staples didn't forget his four captains in Porter, Brandon Beck, Mitchell Morgan and Scott Staples. Porter boasts a 10-2 record on the season and was the 152-pound champion at the Jim King Invitational at Orange High School, where the team placed twelfth. Staples said all his captains deserve recognition for their skill and the guidance they have to offer on the young team.

East Wake began competition in the Mark Adams Classic at Cary High School Monday. The tournament ends today (Wednesday). Results were not available at press time.

The Warriors take to the road next week and don't return for a home match until Jan. 25 when they face Clayton. The following that match, the next home event will be the regular season finale against Knightdale on Feb. 3.

Results: East Wake vs. West Johnston, Wednesday, Dec. 16

103 - Jose Gutierrez (WJ) won by forfeit; 112 - Frankie Jimenez (WJ) won by decision 10-7 over Scott Staples (EW); 119 - Josh Delbusso (WJ) won by forfeit; 125 - Charlie Manarino (EW) won by fall in 5:42 over Richie Burford (WJ); 130 - Michael Jordan (WJ) won by fall in :21 over Brandon Walden (EW); 135 - Jake Young (WJ) won by fall in 2:41 over Daniel Killette (EW); 140 - Johnny Stover (WJ) won by fall in 3:34 over Brandon Beck (EW); 145 - Cory Estes (EW) won by decision 15-8 over Nathan Baudoux (WJ); 152 - Connor Porter (EW) won by fall in 2:39 over Brandon Carbone; 160 - Keith Neal (WJ) won by decision 13-9 over Mitchell Morgan (EW); 171 - Taylor Logan (WJ) won by decision 9-2 over Graham Lindley (EW); 189 - Kyander Moore (EW) won by decision 3-1 over Andy Taylor (WJ); 215 - Brad Pemberton (WJ) won by fall in :46 over Sterling Wilder (EW); 285 - Elijah Robertson (EW) won by fall in 1:30 over Storm Stevens (WJ)