MONROE — Numerous Union County wrestling teams got to test themselves against plenty of outside competition at the Monroe Duals over the weekend.

Of the 18 teams that participated, 1A Central Academy reached the finals.

Mallard Creek came out on top, defeating undermanned CATA 61-9 in the championship match.

Central Academy was down three starters, including heavyweight Will Robinson, who is ranked No. 1 in the state among 1A wrestlers.

The Cougars got past West Stanly, North Meck, North Davidson, and South Stanly before falling to Mallard Creek.

Porter Ridge also went 4-1 with a lopsided loss to Mallard Creek.

The Pirates’ Chris Lingle fell short of an unbeaten day when he lost to South Stanly’s Alex Thompson, who is ranked fourth at 125 pounds in the 1A classification.

Monroe had three wrestlers finish 5-0, including Zack Cooper at 119, Kevin Phinney at 152 and Miles Cook at 189.

Weddington had two wrestlers go 5-0: Joe Centrella at 171 and Wes Chapman at 160. Teammates Will Burch and Kyle Koenig went 4-0 for the day at 130 and 145 pounds, respectively.

Parkwood had four wrestlers go 5-0, including Kevin Mullis at 215, Zac Womack at 152, Tyler Couick at 135 and Austin Craig at 171.

Most of Union County’s wrestling teams will be at Piedmont High on Saturday for the Panther Team Duals.

Piedmont is having perhaps the best year in its wrestling history with a 32-0 team record.

Piedmont went down to Indian Land High (S.C.) last Saturday and won without a full line up.

The Panthers’ Tyler Maske stepped in nicely for heavyweight Mitchell Simpson, going 4-1 on the day.

Piedmont freshman Dylan Nelson finished 5-0 on the day to improve his record to 32-5 for the year.

Piedmont has the week off before hosting its tournament Saturday.