Wrestling in Washington has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years. The high school wrestling team hosted the state team duals on Tuesday at P.S. Jones, which has proven time and again to be a fantastic feeder system into the high school.

The team, made up of nine eighth-graders and 13 seventh-graders, wrapped up its season at A.G. Cox on Tuesday. The boys had already beaten A.G. Cox in Washington earlier in the season and a win would have completed an undefeated campaign for the Demons.

It doesn’t end there, though. The graduating wrestlers have a bright future ahead of them. Some of those that choose to continue their career with the Pam Pack may even be asked to fill roles immediately.

“These kids are going to go to a very successful high school wrestling program,” coach Phil Harris said ahead of the season-finale match. “(Washington) is losing Neill Jennings at heavyweight and I’ve got two heavyweights that weigh 250 pounds. The limit at the high school is 285 so they’ll be able to fill a gap there.”

Even those that don’t slot right into a starting role will add depth, which is always valuable. Harris named Brodie Moore — the Demons’ 100-pound starter — as someone who can help out at 106 pounds. Gavin Woolard, who earned third place at the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference tournament, currently mans that spot.

As a whole, the team’s success is promising for the future of wrestling in Washington. The Pam Pack continues to evolve as a powerhouse in the east. Such success at the middle school level is important to consistent success at the high school level.

One of P.S. Jones’ marquee wins this season was a 63-36 victory over Broad Creek, which is the school that feeds into Croatan. The Cougars are always in the race for top team out of the east. Washington coach Chris Penhollow said that the winner of the 2-A East Central conference generally represents this side of the state in the championship.

“I think we’ve got the interest up and the programs will continue to thrive,” Harris said.