Lake Norman wins 4A Western Regional Title

The Lake Norman wrestling team has had a record breaking season. After winning a school record 33 matches, the I-Meck dual tournament and advancing to the state quarterfinals as a team, the Wildcats added another notch to their belt Saturday, earning the 4A Western Regional title.

"This is the best season we've ever had (at Lake Norman)," Lake Norman wrestling coach Morgan Fore said, in his first season as head coach at Lake Norman. "I think we accomplished a lot of things and winning a regional title is just another stepping stone on the way to a state championship (next year)."

Lake Norman got individual regional titles from Harrison Honeycutt, Josh Smith and Cody Karns, while Nick Rodrigues, Mike Hayes and Collin Foster were runners-up in their respective weight classes. Lake Norman's Ryan Renfroe and Mike Rubino also qualified for the 4A state individual meet next Friday and Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Honeycutt, the school's only defending state champion, won his 100th consecutive match, and is 46-0 this season after going 54-0 a year ago.

Mooresville finished in a tie for second with Alexander Central. The Blue Devils got regional championships from Hunter Hefner and Dalton Pierce, while Santonio Thompson and Tyler Bruton were runners-up in their weight classes. Mooresville's Matt Krider and Zach Brown also qualified for states.

Hopewell's Joseph Acquarulo and North Meck's Joe DiDonato also qualified for the state individual meet next weekend.