The Person High School wrestling team got off to a stellar start by easily defeating Bartlett Yancey, 72-6, Wednesday evening at Rocket Gymnasium.

Ten of the Rockets’ 12 wins in the meet were by pin. Kenzie Sherow (112 pounds), James Montaya (119), and Will Hudson (140) were victorious by forfeit, while the other nine winners triumphed by achieving takedowns, many of them in quick order.

“It’s always good to get the first win under your belt,” said Rocket head coach Mark Litchfield. “I thought everyone did a very good job. A lot of the matches ended in the first round, which is good, but we didn’t get much wrestling time out of it.”

Patrick Stewart had the fastest pin with a 29-second takedown in the 145-pound match. Andrew McCord also won the 135-pound contest in 31 seconds. Scott Rhew ended his 189-pound bout in 45 seconds, and 171-pound Michael Reardon finished off his adversary in 51.

Coach Litchfield thinks his team will see new and stronger competition at the Turkey Duels Tournament, which takes place today at West Stokes High School (9 a.m. start).

“We should see more mat time there,” he said. “You see how good the kids are in practice, but you don’t know how they’re really doing until they wrestle some new faces. I’m proud of how hard they’re working so far, and to see it pay off [on Wednesday] makes it great.”

Other Rockets who won their matches in the first round on Wednesday were: John Newton (152 pounds), C.J. Younger (160), and Antwan Bailey (215).

Gerald Pollard (125) and Nick King (130) also scored match victories for 1-0 Person, and Shaun Oakley bested his opponent in an exhibition match.

After today’s tournament, the Rockets open their Piedmont Athletic Conference season next Wednesday, Nov. 28, when they host the Chapel Hill Tigers at 6 p.m.

Person finished with a 24-10 record in 2007.