Polk County Middle’s wrestling season came to an end Thursday — but in some ways, it felt more like a beginning.

The Wolverines dropped an 81-24 decision to Rugby in a Blue Ridge Athletic Conference home match, falling to one of the East Division’s traditional powers.

It capped a season in which Polk won its first match in almost five years. While that was the only team victory, the Wolverines were close to a couple of others and showed signs that the program is on the upswing.

“I’m excited about the future,” said head coach Jerry Cox. “I’m happy with the season. We should have eight wrestlers make it to the conference individual tournament.

“All in all, that’s improvement. If you look at where we started two years ago, we’ve come a long way. We still have a long ways to go, but we’re getting there.”

Angus Weaver capped a perfect season, finishing 10-0, with a pin at 170 pounds. Jesus Urieta also finished a perfect 7-0 at 182 pounds, getting a win by forfeit, but still wrestling a Rugby opponent in an exhibition match and winning by pin.

Casey Beiler also earned a pin at 145 pounds and Obed Najera added one at 160.

The toughest match of the day came at 132 pounds, a back-and-forth affair that Polk County’s Bryan Sumano, who also had an excellent season, lost in the final seconds of a 10-9 decision.

The BRAC individual tournament will be held Saturday, Jan. 26. Polk County will learn next week which wrestlers have qualified to compete.

76: Wilberdine (R) p. Phillip Teague

83: Watson (R) p. Ben Thompson

90: Vindigni (R) p. Topher Pearson

98: Landreth (R) by forfeit

106: Caston (R) p. Bryson Rickman

113: Hill (R) p. Bryan Gartzman

120: Marks (R) p. Aiden Riva

126: Brunitti (R) p. Jesus Sumano

132: McClain (R) d. Bryan Sumano, 10-9

138: Bentley (R) p. Luke Miller

145: Casey Beiler (PC) p. Balwin

152: Villone (R) p. Kole Powell

160: Obed Najera (PC) p. Sullivan

170: Angus Weaver (PC) p. Valdez

182: Jesus Urieta (PC) by forfeit

195: Gosnell (R) p. Zane Bullock

220: McMinn (R) by forfeit

285: Jenkins (R) p. A.J. Waters 

– Submitted by PolkSports.com