RALEIGH — Millbrook dominated a Wakefield team decimated by injuries Wednesday, winning 76-6 in a conference dual meet.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 8 among area teams in The News & Observer’s poll, registered four pins, one major decision and took eight matches by forfeit over a young Wolverines team in Cap Eight competition.

“When you get to this point of the season in January it’s mostly of our conference (meets), so you want to keep improving and be ready for the heart of the schedule,” said Millbrook coach Scott Saby. “The conference is important to our team and any team that’s going to compete because that’s the first step to where we want to go.”

Lee Patton started things out for Millbrook, winning the 113-pound weight match over Mason Core with a pin in 28 seconds.

Other Millbrook pins included Nick Norton (120) over Vincent Piombino in 1:05, Chris Williams (170) over Tyler Elliot in 1:40 and Aaron Rehberg (195) over Savon Johnson in 48 seconds.

Angelo O’Briant defeated Wakefield’s Garrison Roberts by a major decision, 22-12, in the 132-pound patch.

Sophomore Billy Liptrot earned the only points for the Wolverines, winning the 126-pound match by pinning Kenyon Rochelle-Simmons in 3:36.

The Wolverines dressed just six wrestlers for the meet. Riddled with injuries from concussions to ligament issues, Wakefield put a freshman and five sophomores against a mostly experienced Millbrook team.

The injuries to many of the team’s upperclassmen have turned what could have been a competitive season into an “unexpected rebuilding year,” said Wakefield coach Jason Booser.

“I know for a fact I’ve got a .500 team whether they’re iced up or taped up, and that’s the tough part,” he said. “We may not win a meet all year, but we have to let the team score go and focus on the individual matches.”

The focus is mostly on developing the young wrestlers, keeping spirits up and getting them back for next year.

“Win or lose if we know we’re better than the week before, we’re on the right track,” Booser said.

Millbrook has had significant contribution from young wrestlers, as well, starting three freshmen who have won several matches this year.

Patton, Crayton Saby and Hunter McClelland are all freshmen starters for the Wildcats.

Saby (106) and McClelland (220), along with Brett Burton (138), Nigel Griffin (145), Devonte Smith (152), Mitchell Dudley (160), Jonathan Woodbury (182) and Donovan Dawkins (285) all won their matches by forfeit.

Wakefield will travel to Millbrook again Saturday as the Wildcats host the Cap Eight/Greater Neuse Challenge.

Grant: 919-829-4538