Three Havelock wrestlers bidding for state titles

Havelock High wrestler Jake Smith knows that his opponents don’t care that he won a state championship last year. That’s why he knows he has to be prepared entering this weekend’s state tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum.

"It doesn’t matter how you did last year. It doesn’t matter how you’ve done this year," Smith said. "It just matters that you’re there and how you do when you’re there."

Smith, a senior, fellow senior Derek Nelson and sophomore Ryan Davis all qualified for the state tournament with top-four finishes at last weekend’s regionals. Smith won the 112-pound weight class, while Davis (120) and Nelson (285) both had second-place finishes.

Smith, who is 44-6 on the season, won the state title last year wrestling at 103 pounds and is up in weight class this year.

"There’s a lot of good kids to watch out for," he said. "It’s states. Everybody in there is good."

Havelock coach Pat Whitford said Smith is wrestling at his best and has experience.

"He knows what it’s like to wrestle in Greensboro and he knows what it’s like to wrestle in the finals, and that’s a pretty big advantage a lot of times," Whitford said.

For Nelson, he will be making his first appearance at the state tournament, but the standout offensive lineman from the state championship football team knows a little bit about performing on a big stage.

"I think it will help," Nelson said. "I won’t be in awe of the size of it."

Nelson, who is 32-7 on the year, said he is focusing on staying in good positions during his matches as he heads into the state tournament.

"I’m always expecting the best. I’ve got to," he said. "I just want to ride it out and see how far I can go."

He said he felt good about capping his senior season with his first trip to the state tournament and wants to keep the momentum going.

"It’s good stuff," he said. "I never would have thought I would have been here after the past two years."

Whitford said Nelson is ready to compete at the state level.

"He has the ability to beat anybody in the state," he said.

Though just a sophomore, Davis has compiled a 45-7 record on the season and will be making his second appearance at the state tournament. He was sixth a year ago.

"I have to stay focused," he said. "I have to focus my mind right. We’ve been training all year, so there’s not much more we can do there. I just have to get my mind right."

Though pleased with his regional performance, Davis said he could not let that affect him.

"It’s a whole different thing at states," he said.

Whitford said Davis has a lot of experience for a sophomore.

"He shows a lot of maturity beyond his age when he gets on the wrestling mat," Whitford said. "He has that experience from last year and should have a very good tournament."

The 3A tournament is scheduled to begin today, with the championship rounds set for Saturday.