Cary High School Logo
Jan 25, 2009
Cary High wrestling coach Jerry Winterton notched his 600th dual match victory on Saturday afternoon at the Bob Mauldin Classic in Wendell.
“It’s a high honor, just the longevity,” Winterton said by phone Saturday evening. “I never dreamed I’d have that kind of success. Every time it’s important to go out and try to win. I don’t know that the numbers mean as much as the wins. Right now, it’s on to the next thing. I’m trying to think what we’ve got to do to pull out a win in the next event.”
Entering the season, Winterton said he knew No. 600 was within his grasp, but once the year got going, he didn’t give it much thought until recently. The Imps entered the day 25-0 on the season. They won their first two matches over New Bern and Greenville Rose, respectively, then beat Chapel Hill for the milestone. They won two more matches on the day, leaving Winterton’s career coaching record at a staggering 602-33.
Fittingly, the win came at East Wake High, where Winterton coached briefly before going to Cary, where he’s spent the last 28 seasons.
“Yeah, in the same gym,” Winterton said. “Pretty wild.”
The 600-win plateau is just the latest in a long line of achievements for Cary’s longtime coach. Winteron has won 157 tournaments, most in the nation for high school coaches. He has also guided Cary to 17 state championships (10 individual tournament, seven dual team) and 11 state runner-up finishes (six dual team, five individual tournament).
In 2007, he was named the National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
Winterton didn’t want to dwell too long on his latest milestone. He said he’s already looking ahead to Wednesday’s regular-season finale against Fuquay-Varina and next weekend’s Tri-Eight conference tournament, which Cary has won 26 years in a row.
After that, it’s onto the state dual team tournament. Cary is the two-time reigning NCHSAA 4-A dual team champion, and with Saturday’s five wins, the Imps have won 97 straight dual matches.
“It’s just great to have the kids, coaches and administrators that have helped me through the years,” Winterton said. “Cary’s a great place to coach.”
Contact Tim Candon at 821-8697 or tcandon@wral.com.
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