The Polk County wrestling team was close on Wednesday night. They were close to a share of the Western Highlands Conference championship. They were close to unseating Mitchell’s two-year reign atop the conference standings.

The Wolverines fought till the very end, but fell 37-33 to Mitchell.

“It’s heartbreaking to get that close,” Polk coach Brandon Schweitzer said.

Polk took the first match as Juan Vera won by a technical fall in the 112-lb weight class. The Mountaineers fought back and took a commanding 18—5 lead with three straight pins. The Wolverines, however, were not going to roll over.

Jose Ramirez followed with a win for the Wolverines by major decision and Kameron Painter had one of only two pins for Polk. Polk then won four out of its last seven matches before a forfeit in the 103 lb. class finished its night.

Those four wins came from John Modlin, J.J. Maxwell, Tyler Keller and Tyler Philpott. Philpott, a senior, won his 100^th match with Polk’s second pin of the night.

“Polk County is right on the verge of breaking the old culture,” Schweitzer said. “I’m happy about where the program is going.”