CFNN Reporter: Abbikate Daughtry

The 2024-25 Boys Wrestlers have a future of experiencing another record breaking year. 

After last year’s notable placements at the state tournament and conference tournament, this year’s athletes are coming back for even more. 

To end last season, at the State Tournament, the team had 2 champions (Freshman Tye Johnson and Senior Samuel Aponte), and a runner-up (Senior Landon Sargent), as well as a Most Outstanding Wrestler (MOW) award winner at Gate City Grapple (Freshman Mac Johnson). At the Conference Tournament, the team took home a collective second place finish with Top performers being Tye Johnson, Mac Johnson, Samuel Apointe, and Landon Sargent. 

The road to states was a physically and mentally demanding journey. The teams regional qualifiers for 3A mideast would be Mac Johnson, Tye Johnson, Samuel Apointe, Aiden Rattan, Chris Serbio, Holden George, Robert Moore, Ayden Leonard, Trenton Westbrook, Favour Murtala, Landon Sargent, and Anothony Carroway. Each one of these boys took this tournament to heart, as it would be their way to punch their ticket to Greensboro for the State Tournament. Tye Johnson, Apointe, and Sargent would be boys who would later represent Cape Fear on the State mat. 

Top returners for this year are Sophomores, Tye Johnson, Mac Johnson and Wesley Taylor, along with Senior Holden George. 

This year’s promising newcomers are Darrian Kaoriotis, Frederick Edwards, and Vander Strickland. As new talent joins the team, and current members fight to be the best versions of themselves with each passing day, the dedication of these athletes is applaudable.  

“Last season we made history giving Cumberland County its first freshman state champion and the third 3 time state champion… It was a good year. This year my outlook is that the potential in the room will put us in a good position to make history again. Just wait and see,” said Head Coach Heath Wilson. 

Defending State Champion Tye Johnson reflected on last season and his outlook for what’s coming up. 

“Last season went well. I won states but could’ve done better. The goals for this season are to win the tournaments that I lost and win states again this year.” 

He ended his reflection with a quote that was a firm foundation for him throughout the season. “Whatever you are going through, it will pass.” 

It is clear this team shares a common goal of resilience leading to domination. After a successful 23-24 season, they aren’t done yet and are ready to continue making history. As Coach Wilson said, “Just wait and see.”