Hoke's Richard Tolston Earns All State Award

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Richard "Pnut" Tolston came into the 4A State Tournament as the number 3 wrestler from the Eastern Regional after an upset loss to West Johnston's Tony Jimenez. Tolston avenged that loss by pinning Jimenez in the 3rd place match at the Regional.

At the State 4A tournament, Tolston's first match was against NW Guilford's Alfred Comeford who was 45-5 and the number 2 wrestler from the Mid-West Regional. Tolston, 40-5 going into the tournament pinned Comeford at the 2:53 mark of the match to advance to the Quarter Finals.

Next up for Tolston was Samuel Crisp who was 36-5 going into the tournament and the number 1 wrestler from the west. The match wasn't as easy for Tolston as the first round match but he dominated his opponent on his feet and on the mat. Tolston advanced by defeating Crisp 7-2.

In the Semi-Final match, Tolston had a chance to avenge one of his season losses by going up against Josh Brown who was 45-3 going in and the number 1 wrestler from the Mid-East Regional. Their last match went into over-time...this match up was no different. The score was tied at the end of regulation. There were several situations that would have provide Tolston with the win but were unseen by the two officials on the mat. In the over-time period, Tolston took a shot and was deep on the leg but during the scramble lost the leg and gave up the two points and lost. Tolston did what he needed to do to win the match but it was not meant to be. Tolston now dropped to the consulation bracket and was in the Sem-Finals with a sure tournament placing in the top 6.

His match was against the number 2 wrestler from the west, Kush Shah of Butler, who was 33-3 going into the tournament. Tolston came up strong and controlled the larger opponent while the match lasted. Tolston earned a pin at the 2:33 mark to advance to the third place finals match and an All State recognitiion against a conference foe.

Finally, the match up that was suppose to be the East Region championship match was here. Pinecrest's Irvin Enriquez the East Regional number 1 wrestler and 44-3 going into the tournament was the next opponent. The two had split in the regular season with one win a piece and both with controversal issues. Tolston had wanted this rematch and now it was his. Both freshman wrestlers are equally good with stregnths and weaknesses that play on each others. Tolston had complete control of the match this time. The feeling on matside was that Tolston was in complete control. Tolston wins the match and earns 3rd place in the NCHSAA State 4A Tournament by a score of 4-1