WRESTLING: Wolverines open season with team title at Plowboy Brawl

Published 12:38 pm Monday, November 18, 2024

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Polk County opened its 2024-25 wrestling season Saturday with a statement victory.

The Wolverines triumphed at the 16-team Plowboy Brawl tournament at Chase, holding off Kings Mountain and Boiling Springs (S.C.) to win the team title.

Polk County had three individual champions, including freshman Liam Jackson in his varsity debut, and got key contributions from wrestlers throughout its lineup in topping Kings Mountain by six points.

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“The guys all showed a lot of fight and toughness,” said Polk head coach Thomas Hensley. “We beat many major blue bloods to win this event. It always feels good to finish ahead of programs you respect.”

Efrain Rivera and Amon Villarreal joined Jackson in winning individual titles. Jackson won all of his matches in the 113-pound class by pin or technical fall, with Rivera doing the same at 120 pounds and Villarreal matching that feat at 126.

“I felt like the kids showed a lot of resilience,” Hensley said. “Liam, Efrain and Amon were all losing at one point in their finals matches and worked their way back to a pin.

“We were missing some starters, just like everyone else is, but we didn’t make any excuses. I felt like we could do really well, and they proved me right.”

Polk freshman Acer Eadus won the junior varsity 175-pound class as well.

Polk County will be back in action Saturday, hosting The Ollis Family Duals beginning at 9 a.m. at PCHS.