Polk wrestlers battle, but fall in tri-match with Avery, West Henderson
Polk County got a firsthand look Tuesday at two of the top wrestling programs in Western North Carolina, hosting a tri-match with Avery and West Henderson.
The Vikings have dominated opponents this season, going undefeated. Avery continued that trend on Tuesday with a 69-12 victory over Polk in a Western Highlands Conference match.
The Wolverines (8-10, 4-3) later returned to the mat and competed well against West Henderson, though the Falcons claimed a 60-24 win.
Polk County’s Jacob Knighton scored pins in both matches, including a hard-fought win against Avery’s Seth Blackledge in the opening match. Blackledge led early and had control of Knighton in the second period when the Polk 182-pounder executed a quick reversal, working to free his arm and using that to eventually turn Blackledge and score the fall.
Polk County is scheduled to travel Friday to Mitchell for another tri-match, wrestling the Mountaineers as well as Cherokee.
Avery 69, Polk County 12
106: Francisco Turja (A) p. Tori Strickland
113: Benjamin Jordan (A) by forfeit
120: Wilson Wilson (A) by forfeit
126: Grant Reece (A) p. Daniel Watkins
132: Ethan Shell (A) by forfeit
138: Jonah Hayes (A) d. Collier Foster, 6-2
145: Johnathan Cable (A) p. Deaken Nodine
152: Tristan Adams (A) by forfeit
160: Bradley Parker (A) by forfeit
170: Dalton Towe (A) p. Logan Rhodes
182: Jacob Knighton (PC) p. Seth Blackledge
195: Charlie Jackson (PC) p. Dakota Hoilman
220: Zach Vance (A) p. Christopher Wilmoth
285: Levi Andrews (A) by forfeit
West Henderson 60, Polk County 24
106: Justin Reyes (WH) p. Tori Strickland
113: Damon Landreth (WH) by forfeit
120: Mickey Allen (WH) by forfeit
126: Bryson Rickman (PC) p. Cody Eplee
132: Gaige Watson (WH) by forfeit
138: Collier Foster (PC) p. Garrett Dalton
145: Deaken Nodine (PC) p. Corbin Marks
152: Connor Chandler (WH) by forfeit
160: Jackson Futch (WH) by forfeit
170: Josh Jones (WH) p. Logan Rhodes
182: Jacob Knighton (PC) p. Samuel Musser
195: Will Parker (WH) p. Christopher Wilmoth
220: Garrison Haire (WH) p. Charlie Jackson
285: Jose Rios (WH) by forfeit