GREENSBORO — The North Carolina High School Athletic Association state wrestling championships at the Greensboro Coliseum got underway on Thursday evening with the first round of competition in three classifications.

The 3-A wrestlers were the first ones to compete on the opening day, followed by the 4-A and then the 2-A competitors.

Orange, which won the 3-A dual team championship a couple of weeks ago, leads the team standings after one round with 24 points to 16 for Cameron Union Pines. Northeast Guilford is third with 15 and Enka fourth with 14. There are 83 3-A schools represented in the championships.

Southern Pines Pinecrest leads the way after one round of 4-A wrestling with 23 team points, with Asheville T.C. Roberson in second with 16. Then comes defending champion Winston-Salem Parkland with 15 and Southern Alamance with 12.5.  A total of 77 4-A schools have wrestlers in the championships.

In 2-A action, North Surry led after one round with 24 points with Trinity in second with 21.  West Lincoln is third with 17 and Newton-Conover and High Point Andrews are tied for fourth with 16 points each. There are 69 schools with wrestlers competing in the 2-A classification.

  The 2-A, 3-A and 4-A classifications will begin competition Friday morning with the first round of consolations starting at 9 am. The 1-A class, with a smaller field of wrestlers, will start Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. with quarterfinals.

The championship matches in all classifications are scheduled for Saturday evening, starting at 5 p.m. with the Parade of Champions.