Puller and Back Claim Sectional Wrestling Titles

Wilmington and Clinton-Massie wrestlers win 138-pound class at district tournament

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Josiah Puller of Wilmington and Chris Back of Clinton-Massie, who both competed in the 138-pound weight class at last year's district tournament, won their respective sectional titles in the Division II Southwest District Boys Wrestling Championship.

Why it matters

The sectional tournament is a key step on the path to the state wrestling championships, and these wins by Puller and Back demonstrate their skill and potential to advance further in the postseason.

The details

Puller and Back, who were in the same 138-pound weight class last year, both emerged victorious in their sectional tournaments, setting them up for a potential rematch at the upcoming district tournament.

  • The Division II Southwest District Boys Wrestling Championship took place on March 1, 2026.

The players

Josiah Puller

A wrestler from Wilmington who won the sectional title in the 138-pound weight class.

Chris Back

A wrestler from Clinton-Massie who won the sectional title in the 138-pound weight class.

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What’s next

The district tournament, the next step on the path to the state championships, will take place in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The sectional tournament victories by Puller and Back demonstrate the strong wrestling programs at Wilmington and Clinton-Massie, and set the stage for an anticipated rematch at the upcoming district tournament.