LUMBERTON — With athletics on a pause during the transition from winter to spring sports, The Robesonian looks back at this past winter season over the next few weeks. The all-county basketball team will released next weekend, but before then let’s look back at the best of the county on the mats this past winter with the all-Robeson County wrestling team and individual awards.
The list is comprised of the county champions that were named after the county wrestling championships in January, along with input from coaches.
MALE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
Jon Floyd, 120 pounds, senior — Floyd was the only wrestler from Robeson County to place at the NCHSAA state wrestling championships that were affected by wintry weather. The Lumberton senior lost in the opening round of the 4A 120-pound championship and then rallied off four wins to earn a spot in the third place match before losing to claim fourth in the state. The trip to states was Floyd’s only appearance at the state level. He finished his senior season with a 56-13 record, which was the most wins of any wrestler in the county.
FEMALE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
Aaliyah Milligan, 160 pounds, Purnell Swett — As a sophomore, Milligan was one of many Robeson County female wrestlers that are growing exponentially in the sport. Milligan competed in the girls state championships and took third place.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Justin Sweet, Fairmont — Coaching the first-year program, Sweet directed the Golden Tornadoes into stable footing for the future. One major piece was Derrick Baker, a sophomore with the program that wrestled in youth programs. Baker went on to become a state qualifier and was one of two county champions that Sweet coached this season.
ALL-COUNTY TEAM
106 pounds — Brock Chavis, Lumberton. As a freshman, Chavis made the most of his time starting in the lightest weight class to claim a county championship and finish the year with a 15-23 record.
113 pounds — Justin Kelly, Lumberton. The most decorated wrestler in this year’s senior class, Kelly was the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the county wrestling championships and earned his second straight berth in the state championships. Kelly finished with a 45-16 record.
120 pounds — Jon Floyd, Lumberton. Floyd grew from a role wrestler for the Pirates this season into one of the best in the county this year.
126 pounds — Damien Ortiz, St. Pauls. The Bulldogs senior had a 24-14 record this year.
132 pounds — Derian Jenkins, Purnell Swett. Jenkins was the only wrestler from Robeson County to take home a Sandhills Athletic Conference individual championship this season. He posted a 19-15 record this season.
138 pounds — Cayden Scott, Purnell Swett. Scott earned a county championship and also had a 28-14 record during his junior season.
145 pounds — Kenson Sinclair, Lumberton. Sinclair claimed a county championship, a state championship berth and a 30-plus-win season for the Pirates as a junior.
152 pounds — Davieyon King-McCallister, Lumberton. The 43 wins was fourth-most on the Lumberton roster this season for King-McCallister. He won his weight class at the county championships.
160 pounds — Joshua McLaurin, Lumberton. During his county-championship season, McLaurin posted 30 wins for the Pirates.
170 pounds — Darionte McLaurin, Lumberton. Along with a county championship and a state championship berth, McLaurin also posted 48 wins as a junior.
182 pounds — Derrick Baker, Fairmont. A state qualifier in his first season back wrestling since his youth days, Baker carried an unbeaten record through most of the season. He finished with a 38-5 record in his sophomore season.
195 pounds — Joshua Ransom, Lumberton. Ransom claimed the county championship as a freshman and sported a 17-24 record.
220 pounds — Dazon Ellerby, Fairmont. The senior claimed a county championship and posted a 16-11 record this season with the first-year program at Fairmont.
285 pounds — Ethan Roberts, St. Pauls. The junior wrestled in the state championship and was tops in his weight class in the county. Roberts’ junior campaign produced a 26-11 record.
