The Hawks wrestling team captured a huge win against the Ringgold Rams Wednesday night 45-33 to clinch a playoff spot in the section playoffs for the first time since 2015.

The match started at the 220-pound weight class with senior Tyler Thimons getting the pin putting the Hawks up 6-0.

After a 1-0 decision for senior Nathan Currie, the Rams took two forfeits at 106 and 113 to go up 12-9 over the Hawks.

Sophomore Bryson Bench at 120 and freshman Michael Glasser at 126 got pins to help the Hawks go up 21-12.

The Rams got a pin at 132 to gain six more points, but senior Parker Loera got the fall at 138 to gain six back for the Hawks to make the score 27-18.

Ringgold then gained a decision at 145, fall at 152, and a fall at 160 to add the score up to 33-27 in the Rams favor.

But the Hawks took care of business and got a pin from three seniors at 170 in Brandon Hartman, 182 in Riley O’Mara, and at 195 in Luke Montgomery to finish the match up at 45-33.

The Hawks will host the West Mifflin Titans in a play-in match next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Nest. A win gets them into the WPIAL playoffs.

“We have a very good chance of beating West Mifflin. But the chips have to fall in place that night. It will take a hard week of work to advance further into the playoffs,” assistant Coach Mark Eckley said.

“I hope we have a good night. It will be a tough test,” head coach Tim Crawford said.

The wrestling squad travels to the Allegheny County tournament this Friday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 18.