Polk, Landrum wrestling teams each split in double dual meet
By Mark Schmerling

“It’s nice to come back, and beat Landrum,” announced Polk County wrestling coach Phillip Miller, after his very young Wolverines defeated the Cardinals, 42-32, in the nightcap of a three-team meet at Columbus on Wednesday evening.

Polk met East Henderson in the opener, with the Eagles edging the Wolverines, 42-36.

In between, Landrum (1-1) topped East Henderson, 45-36, as the Cardinals posted a win in their season’s first meet, with 132-pounder Joey Chacon scoring a crucial Landrum pin.

“I was glad we got to start it (the season) off right,” Landrum coach Josh Fowler remarked.

Polk is now 4-4 overall, but that didn’t stop Miller from smiling a lot, as he counted seven freshmen and just two seniors among his starters.

When an aggressive Kevin Sandoval pinned his opponent with just eight seconds remaining in the third to last (120-pound) match against Landrum, the Wolverines took a 36-26 lead.

“That was a deciding match,” Miller smiled. “Hopefully, he (Sandoval, a freshman) will get some confidence out of that.”

Polk’s next wrestler lost by fall, closing the Wolverines’ lead to 36-32, but Christian Davis, the last Wolverine on the mat pinned his Landrum opponent, to clinch the win.

It was a tough loss for the Cardinals, who were within one match of collecting a pair of wins.

“It’s a heartbreaker to lose in the last match,” Fowler admitted, “but it means we were competitive (through the meet).”

Some top Landrum wrestlers to watch this season are Kennon McAbee (132 pounds), Wrenn Pierce (138), a state qualifier last year, and Keith Jordan (170), a state qualifier two years ago.

Tonight (Tuesday, Dec. 9), the Wolverines wrestle West Lincoln and East Gaston at West Lincoln, with action beginning at 6:00. Last weekend in the Falcon Invitational at West Henderson, the Wolverines placed 21st of 26 teams.

Landrum was back in action on Dec. 13 at East Henderson. The same evening, Polk visited East Henderson for the War Eagle Duals.

On Dec. 16, the Wolverines will host Shelby and Smoky Mountain, and the Cardinals host East Henderson.