Pam Pack wrestlers finish second at conference meet

Published 4:25 pm Friday, June 4, 2021

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The Washington High School wrestling team’s string of six straight conference tournament titles ended Friday as they finished second to the host school, South Lenoir.

All nine of the Pam Pack wrestlers finished in the top three, but South Lenoir had a wrestler in each of the 14 weight classes and prevailed by 26 points. The Pack claimed its seventh straight conference regular season title earlier in the week with a 10-0 record and finished 19-2 overall.

Congratulations to them,” WHS coach Chris Penhollow said. “I think this is the first time in my seven years here that we haven’t had a full 14 man roster for the conference tournament, but it’s been that kind of year. We had a couple of matches go the other way and that’s wrestling. South Lenoir runs a good program and earned it.”

Freshman Braxton Woolard is the conference champion at 106 pounds, while junior Isaac Campbell (126) stayed undefeated at 22-0. Senior Tristen Nixon (154) and freshman Bryant Smith (160) also claimed titles.

Junior Zack Warren (113), freshman Walker Heath (170) and senior Adam Bonner (182) finished second, while freshmen Wyatt Campbell (132) and Kahlil Rogers (195) took third.

“I’m proud that every guy we took made the podium,” Penhollow said. “They all competed hard and that’s what we ask of them. We’ll re-group and get ready for regionals in two weeks.”

The post-season format changed this year because of COVID-19. Individual wrestlers will use the regional to qualify for the state meet, but there will be no team competition at either level.