Austin Collins

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Austin Collins became the winningest wrestler in North Surry history as the Greyhounds trounced North Stokes 77-3 Friday night.

Collins needed just 42 seconds to pin Hunter Moorefield for his 148th win. Hunter, the younger brother of North Stokes standout Dakota Moorefield, is just a sophomore and couldn’t hold back the experienced senior.

The win moves Collins ahead of Logan Younger, who set the mark with 147 wins last year. Before that, the record was held by state title-holder Justin Jones at 144.

Coach Eric Jessup said Collins might have the most wins in Surry County history as well. Surry Central’s Carlos Pena finished as the career leader for the Golden Eagles two years ago, but he was in the 130s.

With one match left in the regular season, plus the individual and dual-team playoffs, Collins should win several more.

As for the rest of the team, North Surry accepted seven forfeits from the Vikings. Those went to Saige Wolfe (106), Jacob Humphries (113), Austin McMillian (120), Tristen Brannock (126), Caleb Lowe (138), Levi Slate (182) and Cody Slate (220).

In the seven weights that were wrestled, North Surry won five by pin and one by technical fall.

The Hounds almost pulled off a sweep, but Dalton Golden lost a lead late in the match to the Vikings’ best wrestler.

With about 25 seconds left, Golden was up two points and was on top, said Jessup. North Stokes’ Cody Bennett (17-7) wrenched free for a one-point escape. Then with 10 seconds left Bennett pulled off a two-point takedown for a 4-3 advantage.

Golden nearly tied the match with two seconds left, Jessup said. He was pulling away for a one-point escape, but stepped out of the ring before the separation was complete.

“Dalton led the whole way,” said Jessup. “He wrestled well enough to win, but a couple of breaks just didn’t go his way.”

At 132, the Hounds’ Austin Rozier earned a 16-0 technical fall over Kaleb Smith.

At 145, Devyn Green pinned Trinity Fain in 1:20. At 160, Austin McBride won by fall over Matt Chesnet in the third period.

Corbin Bullins (195) got a pin just before the first-period buzzer over Scott Jones.

Heavyweight Austin Akers pinned Ross Lucia in the first period.

The win improves the Hounds to 31-2 on the year and 6-0 in the Northwest Conference.

On Tuesday at 7 p.m., North Surry will hold its Senior Night against Mount Airy, which after beating Surry Central Friday is second at 4-1. If they win, the Bears could earn a share of the conference title.