3A State Dual Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championship Set for Tuesday at Wheatmore.

Trinity, NC A team state championship will be decided Tuesday night at Wheatmore High School. The 3A State Dual Elite 8 brings together eight programs from across North Carolina, each having won its opening two rounds of the state dual playoffs to earn a place in the final stage. Quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship dual will all take place in one session, compressing the entire title race into a single night.

Every team remaining has earned its position through the bracket. Now, three rounds stand between them and a state title.

Trinity No. 1 Seed (East)

Trinity advanced with dominant wins defeating Farmville Central 77–0 and Heide Trask 74–6. The Bulldogs were 2024 2A State Dual Team Champions, 2A Individual Team runners-up and regional dual runners-up last season. Their lineup includes defending individual state champion Aiden Burkholder (113), two-time individual state placer Joseph

Trahan (285), and multiple returning placers in Stephen Cross, Omega Edge and Edgar Vasquez. Hezekyah Matson (144) was also a state qualifier last season. Trinity enters with proven postseason experience throughout the lineup.

Wheatmore No. 2 Seed (East)

The Warriors return two defending individual state champions in Ayden Sumners (132) and Dominic Hittepole (190). Spencer Moore (150) was a state qualifier and reached the blood round at last season’s individual state tournament, while Nolan Hammonds (138) was also a state qualifier. Wheatmore was the 2A Midwest Individual Regional runner-up last year and enters with championship-level anchors at key weights and experienced postseason depth in the lineup.

Eastern Randolph No. 3 Seed (East)

Eastern Randolph defeated Pender 48–36 and Spring Creek 52–30 to advance. The Wildcats forfeited the final four weights against Pender after securing the dual.

The lineup features defending individual state champions David Lambright (126) and Maddox Carson (285). Trevor Crabtree (138) and Jamie Crabtree (144) provide ranked stability in the middle weights. Eastern Randolph brings state championship titles hardware at both ends of the lineup.

Ayden-Grifton No. 13 Seed (East)

Ayden-Grifton’s path may be the most notable in the East.

Entering regionals as the No. 13 seed, the Chargers defeated No. 5 seed Providence Grove 39–29 and then upset No. 4 seed McMichael 42–39.

Those back-to-back victories secured their place in the Elite 8 and set up a quarterfinal matchup with Trinity. The lineup features two Top Five ranked wrestlers in Jorge Medina (No. 2 at 285) and Chayton Oxendine (No. 4 at 138).

Lincolnton No. 1 Seed (West)

Lincolnton defeated Shelby 71–9 and Owen 42–32.

The Wolves return multiple wrestlers with individual state credentials, including third-place finisher Gavin Gholami (175), fifth-place finisher Jay Mills (165), and returning qualifiers Chris Thomas (106) and Maxwell Buckley (190). Brandon McBride, an individual state third-place finisher last year, has returned from injury. Lincolnton’s lineup reflects balance from top to bottom.

Mount Airy No. 2 Seed (West)

Mount Airy advanced with decisive wins over Madison (62–14) and East Surry (67–10). The Granite Bears were 1A Individual Team State Champions and State Dual runner-up last season. Andrew Meadows (175) is a two-time defending individual state champion. Alex Spainhour (150) and Aaron Ruiz-Angel (215) were individual state finalists last year. Justice Collins (138) and Angel Olalde (120) each placed third, while Michael Fisher (144) is a two-time state placer. Charlie Smith (132) was a state qualifier. Mount Airy enters with one of the most decorated collections of individual résumés in the field.

Polk County No. 3 Seed (West)

Polk County defeated Surry Central 59–17 and North Wilkes 40–30. The Wolverines forfeited the final two weights against North Wilkes after the dual was sealed. The lineup includes returning individual state qualifiers Zalen McCraw (165) and Brody Wolfe (150), along with fourth-place finishers Amon Villarreal (132) and Styler Blackwell (190). Polk County’s strength lies in its middle and upper weights.

West Lincoln No. 5 Seed (West)

West Lincoln defeated Union Academy 52–21 before earning a 43–34 upset over No. 4 seed Wilkes. The Rebels’ win over Wilkes secured their place in the Elite 8. West Lincoln was the 2A State Dual Regional runner-up two seasons ago, giving the program recent experience competing deep into the dual postseason.

Eli Matthew (120), Trevor Britton (138) and Matthew Wise (175) provide ranked presence throughout the lineup. The Rebels arrive in the elite 8 after proving they can win competitive duals and navigate pressure situations in the bracket.

Quarterfinal Matchups

No. 1 East Trinity vs. No. 13 East Ayden-Grifton

No. 2 East Wheatmore vs. No. 3 East Eastern Randolph

No. 1 West Lincolnton vs. No. 5 West West Lincoln

No. 2 West Mount Airy vs. No. 3 West Polk County

Winners advance to the semifinals, with the East and West champions meeting for the 3A State Dual Team championship.

Potential Matchups We’re Watching Closely

A potential rematch between Wheatmore’s Ayden Sumners and Eastern Randolph’s David Lambright would feature two defending individual state champions who are both currently ranked No. 1 Lambright at 126 and Sumners at 132. Both have competed at 126 and 132 this season, creating flexibility in potential lineup decisions. In their earlier meeting this year, Sumners earned a 4–0 victory.

Heavyweight is equally significant. The bracket includes two-time individual state placer Joseph Trahan, defending individual state champion Maddox Carson, and ranked contenders Jorge Medina and Aiden Frank, making 285 one of the most credentialed weights in the field.

Several other ranked matchups could take place, but these two weights stand out entering Tuesday night.

In a dual-team championship format, bonus points, lineup positioning and swing weights often determine advancement. With three rounds contested in one night and individual state experience spread throughout the field, narrow margins could separate teams.

Eight teams enter Wheatmore. By the end of Tuesday night, one will leave as the 3A State Dual Team Champion.

Carolina Combat Media will be on site providing full coverage throughout the event.