EASTVILLE—Dropping down a weight class late in the season paid off for Franklin senior Xavier Freeman.

Freeman took the region title in the 132-pound weight class during the Sunday and Monday tournament at Northampton High School in Eastville.

“He made a good decision to drop down,” said Franklin Coach Bull Johnson. “He wrestled at 138 most of the season until the last match. He was close to that weight class (132) already. We thought 132 was safe.”

Freeman pinned his first opponent and defeated the others in points to take the title.

Senior Zack Hopkins won all but one match to place third in the 195-pound class and qualify for the state tournament on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16, at the Salem Civic Center.

Johnson was pleased with Hopkins’ performance.

“It was great,” Johnson said. “He worked hard and deserves to go.”

The region tournament was delayed by two days after the wrestling team couldn’t get to Northampton because high winds prohibited their bus from crossing the 23-mile Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel. The winds on Friday were 55 mph. Anytime they exceed 47 mph, buses cannot cross the bridge, which connects Virginia’s Eastern Shore with the Virginia mainland.