May River wrestling claimed the Region 8-3A title with an impressive 63-6 home win over Battery Creek on Wednesday.
The Sharks racked up five pins and four forfeits to blow out the Dolphins for their second consecutive region championship.
The night started off well for the Dolphins, as Alex Linares opened the match with a decision and Larson McManigle followed a win by May River’s Pat Treacy with a decision of his own to give Battery Creek a 6-3 lead.
May River’s Wyatt Banfield turned the tide with a first-period pin, and the Sharks’ strong upper weights took control. Donovan Ling earned a convincing decision, and Anthon Funderburk, Rod Grant, Eli Hall, and Kailin Prescott-Ferguson all won by forfeit to turn it into a rout.
The Sharks kept it rolling when the lineup flipped over, as EJ Seman won a hard-fought decision over Sam Degroat in one of the best matches of the night, and Travis Tran, Isham Peace, CJ Ciccarelli, and Michael Sunkins closed out the night with pins for May River.
Both teams will open the Class 3A dual playoffs on Feb. 8. The Sharks will host the first two rounds that night, while the Dolphins will open on the road.
Story and photos by Justin Jarrett
