NEWPORT — Head coach Chris Penhollow can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Returning to his roster will be six impactful wrestlers who were unavailable due the Washington football team’s state championship run.

On Saturday, a group of Washington wrestlers competed at the annual Beast of the East Tournament at Croatan High School, the final meet before the football players’ return. The Pam Pack faced off against wrestlers from West Carteret, Havelock, New Bern, Currituck County, Croatan, North Brunswick, East Carteret, Chapel Hill, White Oak, Swansboro and First Flight, among others.

Washington finished in the bottom tier, while Swansboro took first with 215.5 points and Dixon second with 148. The availability of the Pam Pack wrestlers was limited, as some made the trip to Winston-Salem for the state championship, but sophomore Jacob Smith had an impressive showing in the 106-pound weight class. Smith placed third, scoring 14 of the team’s 24 total points. Smith won his quarterfinal match over First Flight’s Arien Leigh in a 5-3 decision. In the semifinal match, Smith fell to West Carteret’s Malique Johnson, the eventual first-place finisher. Despite the let down, Smith won the consolation semi-final and third-place match on decisions.

Other wrestlers who competed in the tournament were Austin Coward, D.K. Credle, Cameron Davenport, Jordan Grazier, Kenny Castaneda and Andrew Ferguson. Credle had a nice showing, winning Round 1 and 2 of the consolation bracket.

Washington travels to Hunt on Tuesday and hosts Beddingfield and Pamlico County on Thursday in the final meet before the holiday break.