Calvert clinches key victory for Wolverine wrestlers over Hendersonville

Polk County head wrestling coach Phillip Miller has talked all season about the Wolverines gunning for a berth in the state 2A duals tournament. Polk took a much-needed step in that direction Friday night.

Dustin Calvert scored a technical fall in the night’s final match at 138 pounds to lead the Wolverines to a 32-30 win at Hendersonville in a Western Highlands Conference match.

With Polk trailing 30-27, Calvert dominated Simon Melendez, posting a 15-0 win to give Polk the points it needed to secure victory.

With two 2A dual team playoff spots available for the WHC, Friday’s victory was key for Polk as it prepares to face Madison and Mountain Heritage next week.

“Every win is a good win,” Miller said. “This one keeps us alive to reach that goal of making the playoffs.”

Anthony Marino started Polk off on the right foot with a pin of Sam Browne at 145. Franklin Sandoval followed with a 4-3 decision at 152, but Hendersonville got a surprise win at 171 when Levi Metcalf decisioned Damion Cantrell, 11-10. Jerry Cox won by forfeit at 182 and Chase McMurray did the same at heavyweight.

Gabe O’Brien earned a win by forfeit at 120 before the Bearcats recorded another upset, Matthew Digeronimo decisioning Chase Emory 6-5 at 126. That set the stage for Calvert’s heroics.

Upon returning to school, Polk County’s squad planned to sleep overnight in the wrestling room, then leave Saturday at 4:30 a.m. for the James Orr Memorial Invitational Tournament in Robbinsville.

106: Philip Green (H) forfeit
113: David Yorro (H) forfeit
120: Gabe O`Brien (PC) forfeit
126: Matthew Digeronimo (H) dec. Chase Emory (Polk County), 4-3
132: Double Forfeit
138: Dustin Calvert (PC) won by tech fall over Simon Melendez, 15-0
145: Anthony Marino (PC) p. Samuel Browne
152: Franklin Sandoval (PC) dec. Brad Schweikert, 4-3
160: Double Forfeit
171: Levi Metcalf (H) dec. Damion Cantrell, 11-10
182: Jerry Cox (PC) forfeit
195: Charlie Bosshard (H) p. Gabe Lail
220: Rhett Hoy (H) p. Marquise Lipscomb
285: Chase McMurray (PC) forfeit