2023 Wrestler of the Year: Avery Buonocore

Now that the winter sports season has come to a close, it’s time to reveal the All-Coastal Preps teams. Over the next few days, you will get to know more about the players of the year while also seeing who made first and second team in swimming & diving, wrestling and basketball.

The Coastal Preps Boys Wrestler of the Year is senior Avery Buonocore of Laney.

Avery’s Accomplishments

After finishing as the runner-up at the NCHSAA 4A state championship a season ago, Avery Buonocore got redemption and ended his career with a title.

The senior 138-pounder had a pair of takedowns in a 5-1 victory over Chapel Hill’s Porter Brice.

Buonocore ended the season with a 52-2 record with 37 of those victories come by pin and eight more coming via tech fall.

His first three wins at the state championship were pins, which gave the Buccaneers important bonus points that helped them claim a third straight team title. 

Laney also reached the 4A dual team state championship match for the second straight season. Buonocore was 5-0 in the playoffs with four pins and a tech fall.

Buonocore will continue his career at UNC Pembroke.

More about Avery

Favorite Restaurant(s): Terrazzo and CAVA

Favorite Movie(s): 21 Bridges and How to Train Your Dragon

Favorite TV Show(s): The 100 or Squid Game

Favorite Athlete(s): RBY(Roman Brav- Young)

Favorite memory from this season: When my brother, Tyler, pinned so we could go to semis in duals.

Favorite memory from your career: Just spending time with teammates.

Favorite thing about your school or team: I love how close the Laney wrestling team is.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?: I would go to Hawaii or Japan

If you could switch places with any person (real or fictional) for a day who would it be?: I would switch places with Jeff Bezos to see how much money I could spend

Are you a morning or night person?: Night for sure

What is something you could eat for a week straight?: Eggs or Milkshakes

What is your favorite milkshake flavor from Cook Out?: Caramel Cheesecake!!

What app on your phone do you use the most?: Messages

What is one hidden talent you have that most people don’t know about?: I can do a gainer (run forwards and hit a backflip)

What 3 items would you bring with you to a deserted island?: Seeds, water filter and machete

Would you rather dance or sing in front of a group of people?: Neither