Four years. Four conference championships. One dominant program.
Polk County Middle capped another undefeated season Wednesday night by capturing its fourth consecutive Blue Ridge Conference Dual Team Championship, defeating Bethel Middle 80-18 in the title match after dispatching Macon Middle 73-27 in the semifinals.
The Wolverines finished 16-0 for the third time in four years and have lost just once during their four-year championship run, cementing their status as the top program in the conference.
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“We’ve preached all year that we need to be firing on all cylinders at the end of the year and boy, we were,” Polk County Middle head coach Jerry Cox said. “We won some close matches and I honestly think it’s because our kids have been going above and beyond.”
The championship format brought together the top two teams from each BRC division, with East champion Polk County Middle facing Macon Middle while West Division champion Bethel Middle took on Flat Rock Middle in the semifinals.
Polk County dominated both matches, winning 13 of 18 bouts against Macon and 14 of 18 against Bethel. The Wolverines claimed victories by pin, technical fall, major decision, decision and forfeit throughout the evening.
Cox credited his wrestlers’ commitment to improvement beyond the regular season schedule for the team’s success.
“The majority of our starters went to at least one optional tournament, and most got 20-plus extra matches by doing club work on the weekends,” Cox said. “It really allowed us to get more advance faster than we have in the past.”
Boaz Wilson earned particular praise from his coach for a crucial victory in the 126-pound weight class.
“Boaz toughed it out tonight, and stepped up and won a big time matchup,” Cox said.
The victory was particularly sweet for a program that has made winning a tradition but hasn’t lost its appreciation for success.
“The only thing more fun than fun is winning, and that certainly rings true tonight,” Cox said. “It never gets old. This team stepped up and never got discouraged. I’m proud of our team, school and community.”
Despite the accomplishment, Cox made it clear the Wolverines aren’t finished.
“Never satisfied, we will see what Mother Nature gives us and will keep grinding until hopefully the 31st to compete in the individual tournament at Smoky Mountain,” he said.
POLK MIDDLE 73, MACON MIDDLE 27
76: Ellis Searcy (PC) by forfeit 83: Evan Taylor (PC) by forfeit 90: Tiernan Hanna (PC) by forfeit 98: Eric Ramirez (PC) d. W. Myers 106: Josh Odel (PC) tech. fall Jones 113: Coalden Cehan (PC) p. M. Daniels 120: Rhys Jackson (PC) p. A. Baker 126: Boaz Wilson (PC) p. J. Stanfield 132: Jax Gosnell (PC) p. C. Whitener 138: Oakley McDowell (PC) tech. fall M. Hernandez 146: H. Humphries (M) p. Matthew Sokil 150: C. Stacy (M) p. Isaac Whitley 157: G. Ward (M) p. James Logan 165: E. Romero (M) d. Trenholm McMinn 175: Z. Hope (M) p. Brycen Tuttle 190: Michael Jenkinson (PC) by forfeit 215: Gabe Nelon (PC) p. H. Smish 250: Landon Plylar (PC) p. L. Chasse
POLK MIDDLE 80, BETHEL MIDDLE 18
76: T. Shumolis (B) p. Ellis Searcy 83: Evan Taylor (PC) p. J. Abram 90: Tiernan Hanna (PC) maj. dec. H. Burnette 98: Eric Ramirez (PC) d. C. Floyd 106: Josh Odel (PC) p. D. Louk 113: Coalden Cehan (PC) p. S. Burnette 120: Rhys Jackson (PC) p. E. Notgrass 126: Boaz Wilson (PC) d. L. Rathbone 132: Jax Gosnell (PC) maj. dec. M. Johnson 138: Oakley McDowell (PC) p. F. Sorrells 146: Isaac Whitley (PC) by forfeit 150: Matthew Sokil (PC) p. M. Himan 157: Trenholm McMinn (PC) p. L. Valdez 165: James Logan (PC) by forfeit 175: Brycen Tuttle (PC) by forfeit 190: L. Surrett (B) p. Michael Jenkinson 215: Gabe Nelon (PC) p. F. Castillo 250: G. Sorrells (B) p. Landon Plylar
