Despite two previous losses to Wellington, Fort Pierce Central High School's wrestling team thought it had closed the gap heading into the Region 3-3A Duals.
Instead, the Wolverines dealt a decisive blow to the Cobras' bid to advance to the inaugural Florida High School Athletic Association dual-meet state tournament.
Wellington got pins in five of the first six weight classes Thursday and rolled to a 51-22 win to earn a berth in next week's Class 3A state tournament at Kissimmee.
Jesse Weinberg (113), Robert Saldarriag (126), Justin Henry (132), Jarad Abramson (138) and Cameryn Townsend (145) had the pins as Wellington (25-1) built a 30-6 lead.
Sean Harris (120) and Cameron Golden (285) had first-period pins for Fort Pierce Central (14-5), which previously had lost to Wellington by 12 and six points.
This time, there was no stopping the Wolverines, who finished with nine first takedowns.
Wellington's only loss is to Jensen Beach in December. Jensen Beach won twice Wednesday in the Region 4-2A duals at Palm Bay to advance to state.
No other area team advanced beyond the district duals.
Wellington reached the final with 52-21 win against Jupiter (21-10).
Fort Pierce Central (14-5) defeated Royal Palm Beach 66-9 in the other first-round dual.
Harris, Danarius Yearby (132), Dwayne Yearby (138) and Steve Krantz (195) had first-period pins for the Cobras, who won 11 consecutive matches after trailing 3-0.
The individual postseason, which has existed since 1965, begins with district tournaments in February.
Summaries
FORT PIERCE CENTRAL 66,
ROYAL PALM BEACH 9
At Fort Pierce Central
106: Sean Mahermann (RPB) d. Marco Castillo, 14-7; 113: Luckas Antoine (FPC) d. Winnie Cajuste, 3-2; 120: Sean Harris (FPC) p. Xavier Agosto, :52; 126: Lance Harris (FPC) p. Jonathan Thomas, 5:36; 132: Danarius Yearby (FPC) p. Christine Cherenfant, :53; 138: Dwayne Yearby (FPC) p. Cameron Sapp, :58; 145: Anthony Gibson (FPC) p. Connor Ward, 4:48; 152: Zaine Parlor (FPC) d. Ben Asher, 14-11; 160: Jared Fleitas (FPC) forfeit; 170: Joshua Westberry (FPC) forfeit; 182: Darien Romero (FPC) p. Adrian Gilbert, 3:12; 195: Steve Krantz (FPC) p. Michael Quinn, 1:40; 220: Bryan Canedo (RPB) p. Alex St. Jean, 4:52; 285: Cameron Golden (FPC) def. Brian Ornsby by injury default.
Records: Fort Pierce Central 14-4, Royal Palm Beach 8-3.
WELLINGTON 51,
FORT PIERCE CENTRAL 22
At Fort Pierce Central
106: Chris DiFiore (W) p. Marco Castillo, 3:32; 113: Jesse Weinberg (W) p. Luckas Antoine, 4:59; 120: Sean Harris (FPC) p. Tony Widrig, 1:20; 126: Robert Salderriag (W) p. Lance Harris, 1:56; 132: Justin Henry (W) p. Danarius Yearby, 2:22; 138: Jarad Abramson (W) p. Dwayne Yearby, 3:35; 145: Cameryn Townsend (W) p. Anthony Gibson, 1:42; 152: Zaine Parlor (FPC) d. Angelo Tizol, 10-7; 160: Jared Fleitas (FPC) d. Ryhan Montes, 13-5; 170: Joshua Westberry (FPC) d. John Barry, 9-2; 182: Jake Polat (W) d. Darien Romero, 9-6; 195: Eric Saber (W) p. Steve Krantz, 1:27; 220: Elijah Green (WP) p. Alex St. Jean, 1:36; 285: Cameron Golden (FPC) p. Mason Powell, 1:59.
Note: The dual began with the 113-pound match.
Records: Wellington 25-1, Fort Pierce Central 14-5