Zeke Grabowski places fourth in NCHSAA 1A/2A State Championship

Owen senior goes 4-2 in Greensboro

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
February 19, 2022

Owen senior Zeke Grabowski, right, stands on the podium as the fourth place finisher in the 120-pound weight class, Feb. 19, in the NCHSAA 1A/2A Individual Wrestling State Championship. Photo courtesy of Dwight Shelton

When future Owen wrestlers talk about Zeke Grabowksi with his current teammates, they’ll likely hear about his toughness, relentless approach to the sport and big personality.

They’ll be talking about one of the best 120-pound wrestlers in the state.

Grabowksi won four of six matches to finish fourth in the NCHSAA 1A/2A Individual Wrestling State Championship meet, which was held at the Greensboro Coliseum. The two-sport Warhorse athlete opened the tournament with a loss to RJ Reid, who would go on to win the championship.

Grabowski advanced in the next four matches before falling to Newton-Conover senior, Camden Spencer. in the third-place contest. The Warhorse wrestler will head to the NHSCA High School Nationals in Virginia Beach in March, according to head coach Dwight Shelton.

“Zeke is an incredibly hard-working kid,” said the first-year Owen High School coach said. “I love him like my own, and I’m proud he is the first wrestler to place in the state in my head coaching career.”

Grabowksi, who finished the 2021-22 season with an individual record of 33-6, plans to wrestle at the collegiate level.