Starred, circled, perhaps even chiseled in stone in Polk County’s wrestling training is a single date, a day that head coach Phillip Miller has been pointing to all season.
January 6. The start of Western Highlands Conference matches.
And it’s that focus on the conference schedule and a berth in the state dual playoffs that makes nights like Tuesday easier to handle. Polk County, its young lineup affected by injuries, dropped decisions to Smoky Mountain and Shelby in a tri-match at Polk County. The Wolverines fell 46-27 to Smoky Mountain and 53-27 to Shelby.
Get PolkSports delivered to your inbox
Sign up for our free newsletter →
Make no mistake that Miller would like to win every time the Wolverines take the mat. But with a 7-8 record fashioned by a starting lineup with seven freshmen, Miller is upbeat about where his team stands as Polk prepares for its holiday schedule.
“I’m pretty happy, honestly,” Miller said. “For three of the losses, we’ve only had about half a team. Obviously, we want more wins, but we’re in a good spot.
“We do look like we’re in a lot better shape than we were last year at this time, maybe even the past couple of years. After Christmas I think we’re going to be able to fill all of our weight classes. The good is still coming.”
Polk County’s best so far has been its middleweights. Sophomore Chase Emory has posted a 15-3 mark, wrestling primarily at 138 pounds, and won both of his matches Tuesday via pin. Senior Anthony Marino is settling in at 152 pounds and has posted a 12-3 mark. Dustin Calvert is out until January with an injury, but has perhaps been the team’s most consistent performer this season with a 17-5 record at 145 pounds. Chandler Patrick wrestled just once Tuesday, at 170 pounds, but is expected to drop to 160 for conference meets.
“We’re as good in the middle as anybody you’ll find,” Miller said. “At 38, 45, 52 and even 60, I’m not saying we’ll win them every time, but we’re as good as anyone there.”
Senior Jerry Cox, along with Marino one of only two senior starters, is beginning to round into shape after football season and is expected to provide the team at lift at 195 pounds.
Among the seven freshmen starters, 106-pounder Triston Watkins has provided the Wolverines with success at a weight class in which the team has struggled to even fill in recent seasons. Devin Panchyshyn has also been a factor at 220, though he suffered his first loss of the season Tuesday night when Miller decided to move Panchyshyn up to the heavyweight class against Shelby.
“Devin Panchyshyn is now 10-1, and he’s been a surprise,” Miller said. “That’s a good record for a freshman. And tonight’s loss is probably on me. I shouldn’t have put him at heavyweight.
“When you’re starting seven freshmen, it’s always a process. But I think we’ve still got a lot of good coming. It’s all about January 6, though. We want to be in the state duals.”
Smoky Mountain 46, Polk County 27
106: Triston Watkins (PC) forfeit
113: Double forfeit
120: Jeffrey Woodard (SM) tech. fall Kevin Sandoval
126: Andy Houston (SM) p. Dillion Knighton
132: Tony Houston (SM) p. Christian Davis
138: Chase Emory (PC) p. Adam Kelly
145: Blake Wood (SM) tech. fall Xavier Cardwell
152: Anthony Marino (PC) dec. Jacob Scifers, 7-2
160: Coleman Elders (SM) forfeit
170: Michael Miller (SM) p. Braden Miller
182: Jacob Gass (SM) p. Dillon Elliott
195: Jerry Cox (PC) forfeit
220: Devin Panchyshyn (PC) p. Derek Balliot
HWT: Anthony Clonch (SM) forfeit
Shelby 53, Polk County 27
106: Will Blankenship (S) p. Triston Watkins
113: Myles Summey (S) forfeit
120: Chance Storey (S) p. Kevin Sandoval
126: Kenji Price (S) p. Dillon Knighton
132: Tim Hartman (S) tech. fall Christian Davis
138: Chase Emory (PC) p. Ricardo Salas
145: Lathan Kee (S) p. Xavier Cardwell
152: Anthony Marino (PC) dec. Nathan Kee, 8-4
160: Tyrone Mackins (S) forfeit
170: Chandler Patrick (PC) p. Dennis Hopper
182: Braden Miller (PC) p. Cameron Davidson
195: Jerry Cox (PC) p. Grant Johnson
220: Ryan Blake (S) forfeit
HWT: Austin Parker (S) p. Devin Panchyshyn
