The 44-23 first-round loss to West Forsyth in the 4A state dual-team playoffs was an earlier-than-expected exit for Lake Norman, which has grown accustomed to wrestling on the second day of the tournament.
The Wildcats were unable to overcome the absence of four starters. Andrew Haldeman (138 pounds), Patrick Devlin (145), Ryan Devlin (170) and heavyweight Brendan Latham were out due to illness, according to the Lake Norman coaching staff.
Despite the setback, Cody Karns reached another milestone. He defeated West Forsyth’s Andrew Carros by technical fall, 17-2, for the 150th win of his career. The junior is 48-1 on the season at 113 pounds.
The Wildcats finished the dual season 29-5 and captured their third straight I-Meck Conference championship. Help is on the way, too. Next year, the Wildcats stand to add as many as 10 champions from last weekend’s Iredell-Statesville Schools middle school tournament.
Twice as nice
Logan Heck helped the Lake Norman boys swim team win a state swimming title as a freshman.
He has been close numerous times to individual event titles during his Wildcat career. The near misses ended in a big way Saturday during the 4A state championships in Cary.
Heck, a senior who has signed with North Carolina, captured two state titles. He won the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races with times of 21.01 seconds and 45.50 seconds, respectively. Teammate Reed Wheeler added a state-championship run in the 100 backstroke as the Wildcats finished fourth in the team standings.
Heck has more swimming ahead of him prior to joining the Tar Heels. He swam 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying times in three events.
In limbo
Lake Norman’s girls basketball team enters the I-Meck Conference tournament as the No. 6 seed.
The Wildcats (11-10) face third seed and tournament host Mallard Creek (19-4) today at 5:20 p.m. in the first round.
To qualify for the 4A state playoffs, the Wildcats must win the tournament. They haven’t missed the playoffs in eight years.
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