BY MILES LAYTON

Aces’ wrestler Gavin Pierce is ready to pin down success at the NC High School Athletic Association State Championship ahead this weekend at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro.  

Going into states with a record of 19-4, Pierce said he is ready to compete at the state meet.  

“Yes, I have trained hard this year and am hoping for good results,” he said.  

This is not Pierce’s first trip to the big show. 

“Yes, I have had the opportunity to compete during my freshman and sophomore years, and this will be my third time competing,” said Pierce, a senior. “This year, I will be competing in the 215-pound weight class. My freshman year, I wrestled the 182 pound weight class, and sophomore year, I was competing in the 195 pound weight class.”

Some wrestlers have signature “holds” that they use to conquer the competition. Pierce said while he doesn’t have a favorite move, he has his mind’s eye on the gator roll — a maneuver where a wrestler, usually starting from a front headlock position, quickly rolls through their opponent’s body, using their arms to control the opponent’s shoulder and essentially “roll” them onto their back to gain a takedown or pinning position, similar to how an alligator might roll its prey to subdue it. It’s considered a fast and effective way to transition from a grip to a dominant position on the mat.  

“I don’t really have one favorite move to work for but if it is presented during the match then the gator roll is the most fun to run,” Pierce said.  

Pierce showed his athleticism at the Regional Championship last weekend.   

“My first two matches, I was able to secure both with pins,” he said. “During the semifinals I faced the number one seed for the tournament but was able to come out on top winning by 1 point with the final score being 8-7. This win secured the chance to go to states and I was onto wrestle for 1st and second place. Unfortunately, during the 1st and second place match, I lost by points.” 

Aces’ Class of 2025, Pierce hopes to wrestle in college. 

“I am currently wrapping up my senior year of high school and at this time do not intend to wrestle in college. My hopes at this time are to be able to play football,” he said. “I’ve had a great senior year all around with accomplishments in both sports. I earned honorable mention all state this year, received my second all conference award, and was selected to represent John A. Holmes in the 252 vs 919 game this year for football.”

Pierce continued, “In wrestling I was able to secure 1st place in the Pierce Davis Memorial tournament, 3rd in the conference tournament, and 2nd in the Regional tournament which allows me to go wrestle in the State Tournament.” 

A true blue Aces’ student athlete, Pierce said he received  a good education at John A. Holmes High School.

“It has been an honor to attend John A. Holmes High School,” he said. “I’ve had great teachers and coaches that have prepared me for the next level in life. Our motto at John A. Holmes is once an ACE always an ACE. You are able to recognize that our community stands behind us and will always be there to support us.”  

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