The Mitchell Mountaineers brought a total team effort and turned in their best performance of the year when it counted Tuesday in the first night of the 2A NCHSAA Dual Team Wrestling Playoffs.
Mitchell received a forfeit win over Langtree Charter in round 1, and moved on to face off with Cherokee, who took out rival Swain 54-24 in round 1.
Sophomore Erris Crone started the Mountaineers off on a strong note, with a second period pin over Nakai Pheasant. Jaysin Erwin, Yeshua Guardian, and Triston Phillips then reeled off three critical pins to move the Mountaineers out to a 30-9 lead.
Cherokee answered back with two big pins at 215 and Heavyweight, closing the gap to 30-21. Sophie Robertson ended that momentum with a gritty pin at 106, and senior captain Bryson McFalls capped the night with a fall at 126 over Brayon Tucker to secure the 42-33 victory for the Mountaineers.
The win advances Mitchell to the Regional round of the state dual team playoffs for the first time since 2017. Rounds three, four and the state championships will take place next week at a location to be announced later this week.