Bennett eyed a repeat, while Medvar had redemption on his mind. The Robbinsville senior that defeated Medvar went on to win the 138 state championship via major decision.įast-forward 14 months and the 2020-21 season is just now starting. Medvar was defeated after his semifinal match went to a sudden victory period. Bennett picked up a quick victory via fall to advance to the championship, where he defeated a familiar opponent 4-3 to win his first state title. Bennett held a record of 37-6 at the start of the tournament and Medvar was at 36-1.īoth reached the semifinals but it was here that their paths diverged. Both won the conference and regional championships for their respective classes to reach the State Tournament. The two joined forces as sophomores Medvar now in the 138 class and Bennett competing at 145. As the only freshman in his bracket, Medvar finished third in the state to lay a solid foundation for his high school career. Medvar took third in the 2A Midwest Regional to qualify for the State Tournament. Medvar, meanwhile, won the Western Piedmont 2A Conference Championship in the 126 class as a freshman at Surry Central. He came up just short of qualifying for the State Championship Tournament. Bennett finished 26-6 in the 126 class and was Northwest 1A Conference Runner-up. Their freshman seasons were both successful, but different. Their first titles came in mirroring seasons.īennett and Medvar begun practicing together during the offseason of their eighth-grade year. The wrestlers not only have the common goal of winning their second state title this season, but they hope to – after two tries already – finally secure a ring in the same year. However, he never got a proper ring ceremony due to the pandemic. Medvar took home the 1A 152-pound State Championship in June, and Bennett won the 1A 145-pound Championship as a sophomore in February 2020. The senior duo was recognized during halftime of Mount Airy’s playoff football game against Starmount.
Two Granite Bear wrestlers, Franklin Bennett and Connor Medvar, received their state championship rings in front of the hometown crowd Friday. The title of 1A State Champion certainly has a nice ring to it.
Bennett, Medvar receive championship rings