CATAWBA — North Surry beat Bandys 42-26 in wrestling to improve to 7-0.

The Greyhounds were looking for a nonconference battle and found one in Bandys. The home team forfeited three weight classes, but held its own in the other 11 matches, winning six.

Bandys is traditionally a great program, said North Surry Coach Eric Jessup. The school has won state titles in the past, and four athletes are returning state qualifiers. All four of those qualifiers won their matches.

“We wrestled very hard for a young team. We made some mistakes, but we’re working on them,” he said. “That’s why we wanted to go down and wrestle Bandys. They wrestle a really hard-nosed style. … Our young guys have to get used to that.”

While Bandys did take the majority of the contested matches, Jessup noted that the home team forfeited against two of the best Hounds.

Austin McMillian and Tristen Brannock are ranked second and fifth in the state, respectively. The other forfeit went to sophomore Cesar Cardosa, who won a wrestle-off with Jacob Cavenaugh to earn the starting 113 spot.

North Surry also had to juggle its lineup with promising 182-pounder Dakota Goss out with a sore back.

Dalton Golden, 160 pounds, wrestled at 170 and lost to Andrew Brotherton, one of those state qualifiers.

Corbin Bullins moved up to 182 and lost a narrow 8-6 decision to Jeff Tuckey.

There were several close matches throughout the night, according to Jessup.

Some were close in score until someone earned a pin. Heavyweight Austin Akers won a narrow 4-3 decision over Bandys’ Matt Bulen.

Saige Wolfe went to overtime 2-2 with John Foster before losing 4-2 at 106 pounds.

The Hounds will rest up the next couple of days to prepare for the massive Blackhawk Invitational this weekend.

All four local teams will take part in the individual-style tournament at West Wilkes High.

Results

106 Saige Wolf North Surry Foster, John Bandys L Decision 2 - 4

113 Cesar Cardosa North Surry Bandys W Forfeit

120 Austin McMillian North Surry Bandys W For

126 Tristen Brannock North Surry Bandys W For

132 Austin Rozier North Surry Oliver, Jesse Bandys W DEC 9 - 4

138 Lowe Caleb North Surry Crowe, Camron Bandys L Tech Fall 2 - 17 (5:20)

145 Devyn Green North Surry Lunsford, Timothy Bandys W FALL 3:37

152 Austin Collins North Surry Anthony, Peyton Bandys W FALL 0:36

160 Austin McBride North Surry Sponhouse, Tanner Bandys W FALL 3:59

170 Dalton Golden North Surry Brotherton, Andrew Bandys L FALL 1:24

182 Corbin Bullins North Surry Tuckey, Jeff Bandys L DEC 6 - 8

195 Levi Slate North Surry Christopher, Anthony Bandys L DEC 7 - 12

220 Blake Dollyhite North Surry Whisnant, Zac Bandys L FALL 2:50

285 Austin Akers North Surry Bulen, Matt Bandys W DEC 4 - 3