SHEFFIELD — For one final time, cross-county rivals Sheffield and Youngsville took to the mat for their annual dual match Thursday at Sheffield Area High School.

The Wolverines emerged a 39-24 winner, however, both schools left the gym holding their heads high.

“It was an amazing, emotional night,” said Sheffield coach Tom Holden. “For both teams. I can’t believe this district can do away with two schools that have such positive things going on for their students. All wrestled well tonight and both schools were well represented.”

It was Sheffield that drew first blood in Thursday’s match, which started at 160 pounds. Sheffield senior Alex Marfink squared off with Youngsville’s Michael Raffanello and built a 9-1 advantage before logging the second-period pin.

The Eagles’ four victories of the night followed all in successive order.

First, Carsyn Branstrom was a winner at 172 pounds, needing just 92 seconds of the first period to pin Sheffield’s James Wagner.

Next, Youngsville sophomore Bryce Spinks put together an impressive bout squaring off with the Wolverines’ Joby Hilyer. Spinks scored two takedowns and four back points in building a 10-3 lead before pinning Hilyer at 2:34 of the match for his second varsity pin.

Eagle twins Graeme Minnis and Connor Minnis followed Spinks with back-to-back forfeits at 215 and 285 pounds to put the Eagles on top 24-6 after five weight classes.

After no contests at 107 and 114 pounds, the remainder of the night was all Sheffield.

Garett Copley and Bryden Letendre needed just 25 and 20 seconds, respectively, to log pins of their Youngsville opposition, closing the gap to 24-18. At 133 pounds, Sheffield’s Hayden Holden won via forfeit to tie things up at 24-24.

The final two contested matches of the night were at 139 and 145 pounds with Michael Knapp pinning Youngsville’s Michael Carnahan just before the buzzer of the second period and Tyler Westrope earning a hard-fought 11-7 decision over the Eagles’ Ellie Shellhouse.

The match was closed out with a forfeit victory for the Wolverines’ Travis Childress at 152 pounds.

“We moved some kids around to make some of the matches closer,” added Holden. “I’ll say it again; these two communities are amazing. Something is wrong with our school district.”

Youngsville will next compete in the District 10 Class AA Section 1 Tournament on Feb. 14-15 in Meadville. Sheffield next competes in the Allegheny Mountain League Championships this weekend in Bradford.

SHEFFIELD 39, YOUNGSVILLE 24

160: Alex Marfink (S) p. Michael Raffanello, 2:51

172: Carsyn Branstrom (Y) p. James Wagner, 1:32

189: Bryce Spinks (Y) p. Joby Hilyer, 2:34

215: Graeme Minnis (Y) won via forfeit

285: Connor Minnis (Y) won via forfeit

107: Double forfeit

114: Double forfeit

121: Garett Copley (S) p. Sarah Blauser, :25

127: Bryden Letendre (S) p. Tristan Ives, :20

133: Hayden Holden (S) won via forfeit

139: Michael Knapp (S) p. Michael Carnahan, 4:00

145: Tyler Westrope (S) d. Ellie Shellhouse, 11-7

152: Travis Childress (S) won via forfeit