West Stanly wrestler Joe Graves scores 100th win

West Stanly High School senior wrestler Joe Graves recently achieved his 100th career win. He scored the win January 7 while competing in the West Stanly Duals held at the school. His season record is 28-5.

Q. How did you begin wrestling and how old were you?

A. I started wrestling as a freshmen because my Dad was always a fan of the sport.

Q.Do you watch college wrestling and are there any wrestlers who you try to emulate?

A. Yes, I like to watch Jordan Oliver (Oklahoma State) because of his speed and that’s the style that I grew into.

Q. What are your plans after high school? What college would you like to attend?

A. I had always planned on joining the Army after school but now I am planning on college first.  I am in the process of enrolling at Spartanburg Methodist to continue wrestling.

Q. Describe your off-season routine.

A. I normally run in the morning, then I practice in Concord at Team Cabarrus and compete on Saturdays as much as possible.

Q. Describe your in-season routine.

A. Same as the summer but a little more intense and at West Stanly.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence on you, wrestling or otherwise?

A. My coach, Phil Depasquale, and his brother, Jason.

Q. What do you like to do besides wrestling?

A. Fishing and anything outdoors.

Q. Favorite Music?

A. Don’t really have a favorite it depends on my mood.

Q. Who are the athletes you admire most?

A. Anthony Robles and Cam Newton.

Q. What is your favorite movie?

A. The Hangover

Q. What is your favorite subject in school?

A. History

Q. Perhaps the most important question—favorite food to eat when it’s not wrestling season?

A. Taco Bell and Bojangles together.

Q. What do you consider your highest achievement in wrestling?

A. Placing at States last season.

Uwharrie Bobcats move to 7-1 record
The Uwharrie Bobcats traveled to Asheboro on Saturday, May 14 to take on the Highpoint 65+ slow pitch softball team.  In the top of the first inning Larry Coble, Ron Crawley, and Bob Gifford scored in front of hits by Martin Efird and Roger Faulkner.  High Point came right back in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at 3 all.  The Bobcats did not score in the second or third innings.  Highpoint scored one run in the bottom of the third inning to take a 4 – 3 lead.  In the top of the fourth inning, Ron Crawley, Bob Gifford, and Martin Efird scored in front of hits by Roger Faulkner, Oscar Shelton, and Don Barnhardt.
Highpoint did not score in the bottom of the inning.  In the top of the fifth inning, Robert Huneycutt, Jerry Barrier, Larry Coble, and Ron Crawley scored in front of hits by Bob Gifford and Kent Stoker.  Highpoint did not score in the bottom of the fifth,  sixth, or seventh innings.  Roger Faulkner scored for the Bobcats in the top of the sixth inning and Larry Coble, Martin Efird and Jerry Barrier each scored in the top of the seventh inning for a final score of 14 -11 for the Bobcats.
In the second game, Highpoint jumped on the Bobcats for two runs in the top of the first inning, however,  Bobcats Larry Coble and Bob Gifford added two of their own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 2 all.  Highpoint came back in the top of the second inning and scored the maximum allowed runs per inning of 5 to take a temporary lead 7 – 2.   Robert Huneycutt, Jerry Barrier, Kent Stoker, Ron Janey and Larry Coble all hit safely in the bottom of the inning to move the score to 7 – 5 Highpoint.
Highpoint scored two more runs in the top of the third inning to take a 9 to 5 lead.  The Bobcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning but could only score one run to bring the score to 9 to 6.  High Point did not score in the top of the fourth inning.  The Bobcat bats went to work in the bottom of the inning and hits by Jerry Barrier, Don Wait, Kent Stoker, Ron Janey, Larry Coble, Ron Crawley, Bob Gifford, and Marvin Efird produced the maximum of 5 runs to give the Bobcats an 11 to 9 lead.  High Point came back with three runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 12 to 11 lead.
The Bobcats would not let up as Roger Faulkner, Oscar Shelton, Don Barnhardt, Robert Huneycutt, Jerry Barrier, Don Wait, and Kent Stoker combined hits to score the maximum of 5 runs.  High Point did not score in the top of the sixth inning, however, in the bottom of the sixth inning,  behind solid hitting from Ron Janey, Larry Coble, Ron Crawley, Bob Gifford, Marvin Efird, Roger Faulkner, and Ed Huneycutt the Bobcats again scored the maximum of 5 runs.  High Point could not score in the top of the seventh inning.  The final score was 21 to 12 Bobcats.
The Bobcats will travel to Salisbury Saturday May 21 and then play at Rock Creek Park June 4 against Pinehurst.