Polk County High School wrestling coach Phillip Miller left the gym wearing a smile on Tuesday night, after Chris Meeks’s gallant 25-13 (major decision) win gave the Wolverines a 40-39 victory over visiting Shelby.

It was Polk’s second win in its last three contests, a morale-builder, as post-season action approaches.

Earlier in the evening, Mitchell, whom Miller labeled the best team in the conference, topped Polk in a meet, which was harder-fought than the 63-12 final indicated. The hosts’ only points came from 113-pounder Juan Vera (now 36-1) by pin, and a forfeit win by heavyweight Chase McMurray, but Polk gave its Mitchell several scares along the way.

When Meeks locked horns with Mooring, the Wolverines trailed Shelby, 39-36. After Polk raced to a 24-0 lead (The meet began at 126-pounds.), Shelby answered with some fireworks of its own before McMurray pinned his man, giving his lighter-weight teammates a chance to put that smile on Miller’s face. After Polk lost the 106-pound contest by forfeit, and fell behind, 30-39, 113-pound ace Juan Vera scored a pin in just 22 seconds, to bring the Wolverines to within three.