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Thomas Hensley boarded the bus Monday evening in Greensboro a tired but very happy wrestling coach.

Polk County capped two days of action Monday in the 1A Individual Wrestling Championships with a state runner-up, three placers and a seventh-place team finish, the latest accomplishments for a program very much on the rise.

“It’s all gas and no brakes this offseason,” Hensley said. “We went from 16th last year to seventh this year. Our goal is to make another big jump.

“Obviously, our hope is to have a great offseason and to continue to develop great people. The winning takes care of itself when that is your focus.”

And there was plenty of winning to celebrate at the state tourney. The Wolverines had a program-record nine state qualifiers, set a new mark with four semifinalists and matched the school best of three state placers, last accomplished in 2011.

Sophomore Efrain Rivera led the showing, reaching the championship match in the 120-pound class. There, he ran into two-time defending state champion Cooper Foster, an Appalachian State signee. Foster led most of the match, but Rivera scored a takedown early in the third period and trailed just 8-3 before gambling on a takedown attempt in the final seconds and dropping an 11-3 decision.

Rivera and Foster hugged at the end of the match and talked for a few moments on the mat before leaving.

“A lot of respect between the two,” Hensley said. “Efrain wrestled an outstanding tournament. He will be a terror for the rest of the state the next two years.”

Polk’s first state finalist since 2020, Rivera finished the season with a 56-4 record, setting a new school record for wins. His four losses came to Foster (twice), 3A state runner-up Mac Johnson of Cape Fear Academy and 4A semifinalist Jacob Dusche of Hickory Ridge.

Styler Blackwell and Amon Villarreal joined Rivera in earning medals, with Blackwell taking fourth at 157 pounds and Villarreal placing fourth at 126. Teammates Brody Wolfe, Carson Bell and Zalen McCraw finished just a victory short of also placing, while first-time state finalists Liam Jackson, Jaxtyn Virgil and Chester Wilson gained valuable experience wrestling the state’s best.

“Amon and Styler both placing was huge, and we are excited to see them continue to develop,” Hensley said. “Brody, Carson and Zalen all being one match from placing was heartbreaking, but at the same time, they fought very hard and showed great effort. They will all continue to get better.

“Liam, Jaxtyn and Chester showed a lot of heart qualifying and battling at state. They are great kids and will continue to work hard as well.”

While it’s the state individual tournament, team champions are still recognized, and Mount Airy took top honors, finishing ahead of Uwharrie Charter, Avery and Robbinsville. Alleghany placed fifth, with North East Carolina Prep in sixth, just ahead of Polk.

Followers of state 1A wrestling will recognize all those names as perennial powers in the classification. Polk’s finish, along with effort in the state dual team tourney, are proof that the Wolverines are becoming one of those programs as well, and Hensley is eager to see what happens next, especially with all nine state qualifiers back next season.

“The best is yet to come for the young Wolverines,” he said. “I am very fortunate to be at Polk County High School. I’m 29 years old and don’t know what I did to deserve such great people in my life. I want to thank all the kids, parents, administration and my great assistant coaches. They have made me a better man.

“Jamie Thompson, Mark Emory, Mason Jackson and James Hodge are great men and prioritize building great men. They are also great wrestling minds. They have made our kids all better, and made me a better coach.

“There is no reason we can’t win a state title next season. Why not us?”