Phillip Miller isn’t greedy. Mainly, he wants to fill Polk County’s varsity wrestling roster.

As it is now, he’s short on team members to the point where the Wolverines give up some 30 points in forfeits in most matches because they don’t have enough competitors to send out on the mat.

In spite of being short on wrestlers, Miller remains optimistic.

“You know I’m not giving up,” he emphasized.

He’s confident that by the time the Wolverines meet their Western Highlands Conference rivals, they’ll make better showings.

As in most years, Miller has some very good wrestlers. Quantity is usually the greater issue than quality. Two of this season’s best are senior Dustin Calvert, who will compete at 152 pounds, and Devin Panchyshyn, a 220-pound class competitor. Panchyshyn, only a sophomore, went further than any of his teammates in the Dec. 4 and 5 Falcon Frenzy 28-team meet at West Henderson High School. He advanced to the consolation quarterfinals, where he was pinned.

Calvert is 9-2, Panchyshyn 8-3.

Panchyshyn and Calvert, both returners, are probably Polk’s two top performers. Rounding out the top four are Tristin Watkins, a sophomore at 106 pounds, and Braden Miller, who will see at least some mat time at 182.

At least at this point, Miller feels as he did last year.

“Same problem as last year, not enough kids. We need to get better by conference time. Need to keep it all in perspective.”

This Saturday, Dec. 12, the Wolverines as well as the Landrum Cardinals, are at East Henderson. On Dec. 15, the Wolverines host Smoky Mountain and Chesnee. Start time is 6 p.m. On Dec. 19, they’re at Wade Hampton, and on Dec. 22, the Wolverines host conference rival Owen, also at 6 p.m.