FRANKLIN
While the Franklin High School Broncos wrestling team only went 2-2 as a unit, six of them had a winning day on the mat. They were grappling against opponents from different VHSL 1A programs.

Head Coach Daniel “Bull” Johnson said picking up two wins on Saturday was a considerable feat, as the flu bug bit the program and they only fielded wrestlers for nine of the 14 weight classes.

“We were already in the hole 30 points before we even stepped on the mat,” Johnson said. “You needed seven wins to tie, and eight wins to get a victory.”

Senior Jack Sykes is still perfect on the season, going 4-0 against opponents. The 195-pound weight class athlete picked up three of his wins by pin, and one by points. His record is 12-0.

“Jack is doing great,” Johnson said. “The last match, the one he won by points, took him to his limits, though. So he needs to work on his endurance.”

While freshman TaQuan Wiggins is not undefeated at 7-2, he went 4-0 on Saturday. However, three of the wins the first-year wrestler picked up were by forfeit, as three of the schools did not field wrestlers in the 126-pound category.

Four Franklin wrestlers went 3-1, including seniors Cameron Seddon, Khiry Reese and Stefone Pearson. Seddon, 160-pounds, won two by pin and one by forfeit.

Seddon participated in the first tournament, but missed the second due to injury. The captain is 7-2 on the season.

Reese (8-2), 182-pounds, won one by pin, one by points and one by forfeit. Pearson (10-2), 170-pounds, won two by pin and one by forfeit.

Sophomore Patrick Sheehy, 120-pounds, also went 3-1, picking up one win by pin, points and forfeit, respectively. Sheehy, a first-year wrestler, had been 2-3 going into this tournament, but is now above .500.

“He’s just been coming to practice, putting in the time and getting in shape,” Johnson said. “As the year goes on, he’s one of the ones who will get better.”

Of the nine schools invited to the meet, Franklin’s team defeated King and Queen, and Washington and Lee, and they lost to Mathews and Northumberland.

“Things are going good,” Johnson said about the season. “For being a young team, they are coming together quickly. If they keep on the pace they are going now, they ought to have a really successful season.”

The Broncos will travel on Thursday to face Northumberland and Nandua at Northumberland. On Saturday, Franklin will be at home again, hosting Southampton, Norfolk Christian and Northampton East, for a tournament starting at 9 a.m.

“They always like wrestling Southampton,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to a good quad — everyone was back at practice yesterday, healthy, so we should have a good weekend.”