Young Wolverine wrestlers continue to shine as Polk tops Landrum

A possible win over the program’s biggest rival resting on his shoulders, Polk County freshman Christian Davis bounded into the spotlight shining onto the wrestling mat Tuesday night at Polk County High School.

And twirled a finger above his head as he did so.

Seemingly unfazed by the circumstances, Davis pinned Landrum’s Bill Kuykendall midway through the second period of his 132-pound match, the six points he earned ensuring a 42-32 win over the Cardinals as part of a non-conference tri-match.

The Wolverines’ other match of the evening also came down to the final bout, with East Henderson getting a win at 120 pounds to earn a 42-36 victory.

But on a night when Polk County started seven freshmen and were minus sophomore standout Chase Emory, sidelined with illness, the results were more than satisfactory for head coach Phillip Miller.

“You couldn’t ask for much more heart than we showed against Landrum,” Miller said. “They had a full team, so for us to come out here and beat them is a big deal for us.”

The match, which began at 138 pounds, was close throughout. Polk County built an early 12-6 lead as Dustin Calvert recorded a pin at 138, then Anthony Marino and Chandler Patrick took hard-fought decisions at 152 and 160, Marino defeating Alex Samenko 5-2 and Patrick holding off Mark Conner 9-7. Landrum fought back to take a 14-12 lead before Jerry Cox gave the edge back to the Wolverines with a first-period pin of John Zimmerman at 195.

Devin Panchyshyn’s pin one minute into his heavyweight match with Sam Vinesett, followed by Triston Watkins’ forfeit win at 106, pushed Polk to a 30-20 lead. Landrum earned a forfeit at 113 before Polk freshman Kevin Sandoval pinned Landrum’s J.T. Willingham with eight seconds left in his 120-pound match. That bout had swung back and forth much like the match, with Sandoval in control early, Willingham rallying to take the lead entering the third period and Sandoval earning a near fall early in the third period before finally scoring the fall.

“The match changed on Kevin’s match,” Miller said. “That was definitely a deciding match there.”

But leading 36-32 entering Davis’ match, the Wolverines needed to avoid a major decision or pin in order to secure the team win. Davis made certain that would happen, energetically bouncing all over the mat and aggressively wrestling Kuykendall from the outset. Davis scored a takedown in the first period, then another in the second before pinning Kuykendall with 54 seconds left in the period.

“Nothing but confidence there,” Miller said of Davis’ match.

Davis also notched a fall in the match against East Henderson, giving the Wolverines an early 12-0 lead, but East Henderson rallied for a 24-12 lead after the 160-pound class. Two forfeits helped Polk County tie the match, and the sides swapped points until the 120-pound class, when East’s Angelo Ferranini was able to score a fall over Sandoval to give the Eagles the win.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Miller said. “But I am definitely pleased. With seven freshmen, we can do nothing but grow from here on out.”
Polk County 42, Landrum 32
106: Triston Watkins (P) forfeit
113: Pearlie Helle (L) forfeit
120: Kevin Sandoval (P) p. J.T. Willingham
126: Kennon McAbee (L) p. Dillion Knighton
132: Christian Davis (P) p. Bill Kuykendall
138: Joey Chacon (L) forfeit
145: Dustin Calvert (P) p. Clay Prass
152: Anthony Marino (P) dec. Alex Samenko, 5-2
160: Chandler Patrick (P) d. Mark Conner, 9-7
170: Heath Jordan (L) maj. dec. Braden Miller, 16-1
182: Paul Zimmerman (L) d. Dillon Elliott, 9-1
195: Jerry Cox (P) p. John Zimmerman
220: Feenix Smith (L) p. Donovan Lloyd
285: Devin Panchyshyn (P) p. Sam Vinesett

East Henderson 42, Polk County 36
106: Triston Watkins (P) forfeit
113: Jesus Martinez (E) forfeit
120: Angelo Ferrarini (E) p. Kevin Sandoval
126: Dillon Knighton (P) forfeit
132: Christian Davis (P) p. Martin Guerrero
138: Ian Stepp (E) forfeit
145: Aaron Owensby (E) dec. Dustin Calvert, 7-0
152: Garrett Ammerman (E) dec. Anthony Marino, 4-3
160: Ethan Willis (E) p. Chandler Patrick
170: Braden Miller (P) forfeit
182: Dillion Elliott (P) forfeit
195: Chase Blanken (E) p. Jerry Cox
220: Devin Panchyshyn (P) dq. Patrick Matousek
285: Joshua Fernandez p. Donovan Lloyd