RALEIGH - Jon Burns can put another trophy on his mantle. The Cardinal Gibbons senior won the 145-pound weight class at the 2007 WRAL Wrestling Invitational and picked up the Most Outstanding Wrestler award for the tournament.

The win comes on the heels of Burns winning his weight class at the Ironman Invitational in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, last week. The Ironman is recognized as one of the toughest tournaments in the nation.

"It means a lot. It's my senior year, and I'm expected to do my best," Burns said.

Burns (25-0) won a 12-6 decision over previously undefeated Frank Hickman of Wilmington Laney. Burns worked to a 10-3 lead early in the third period en route to the victory.

The 36th annual tournament featured 36 teams from four states, including Voorhees High School in New Jersey, at the crowded confines of Athens Drive High School.

"Crowds aren't a problem. They don't really bother me. I just zone them out," Burns said about performing in large tournaments.

Durham Riverside's Tyrone Eatmon on the other hand relishes the chance to wrestle in front of a packed gym.

"All eyes are on you in that center mat," the sophomore said.

Eatmon (26-0) won a 12-8 decision over fellow sophomore Ian Harper of Chesterfield (S.C.) High School in the 119-pound weight class. Eatmon trailed early, then built a 9-5 lead in the third period, but Harper closed to 9-8. Eatmon was able to perform a breakaway and a take-down late in the third to secure the win.

Southern Lee's Michael Williams was also a winner. He posted a 9-2 decision over Justin Guthrie of Enka High in Candler in the 152-pound final. Williams (15-0), last year's state champ, built an early 7-1 lead in the win.

Anthony Rogers of Knightdale captured the 171-pound weight class with a 7-4 decision over Blake Salyer of Alexander Central in Taylorsville.

Rogers likes the challenge of the WRAL tournament.

"It's one of the hardest tournaments outside of states and regionals," he said. Rogers added the tournament brings a lot of stronger guys to his weight class, forcing him to rely on his speed.

"The first period I played more to his style, trying to tie up. Then I got back in my flow in the second period," Rogers said of Salyer.

Cardinal Gibbons' Andrew Evans captured the 215-pound weight class with a hard-fought 1-0 decision over Andrew Reinhardt of Newton-Conover. Evans, a senior who didn't wrestle last year, broke out of a hold with just under 20 seconds left in the match for the win.

Northern Durham's Demario Leathers (17-2) was the runner-up in the 135-pound weight class. Leathers trailed Dalton Harper of Chesterfield, S.C., 6-2 but fought back and closed to within 8-7 before time ran out.

Cardinal Gibbons entered nine wrestlers, placed six and won two individual championships to place eighth in the team standings. Not a bad showing for coach Stan Chambers, but there's room for improvement.

"This tournament lets them know they are just as good as anyone else," he said. "But we've got to have more champions."

Powerhouse Winston-Salem Parkland won the overall team points title with 333.5 points, with Davie County second at 129.5.

Anthony Clinton of Mount Tabor, probably the best wrestler in the state, survived a bum leg and a scare with a 3-1 overtime win over Larry Barron of Parkland in the 189-pound final.