HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

A year ago, 5th ranked Gilbert and 2nd ranked River Bluff claimed Lower State titles before losing in their respective state finals.

Both teams have worked themselves back into position for another run at the championships in Classes 3A and 5A. Gilbert won a quad match at home this past Saturday to clinch a 2nd straight Region 5-3A title, while River Bluff claimed a 4th consecutive Region 5-5A crown after wins last week over Lexington and White Knolll

“We talk about it a lot,” said River Bluff head coach Evan Moxie about winning a 2nd state title in 3 years. “From the very beginning of the season all the way to now. That’s always 1 of our goals.

“So, we train to be there at the end everyday when we’re in the practice room. So it’s always something that we’ve talking about and always something that we’re striving for.”

River Bluff will open the playoffs against a very familiar foe in archrival Lexington Saturday. For the 2nd time in 8 days, the Gators will play host to the Wildcats in The Swamp in the 1st round.

Following the match, the winner will face either Stratford or Conway in the 2nd round. River Bluff will have homefield advantage through the 1st 3 rounds.

Region 5-5A runner-up White Knoll will open at Ashley Ridge, while Chap-in travels to Summerville.

The road back to the Class 3A title will involve 1 less match for Gilbert. The Region 5-3A champions and 2nd place Pelion will have a 1st round bye.

While the Panthers will await the winner of host team Waccamaw and Lake City, Gilbert will face either Academic Magnet or Cheraw at home at 1 pm Saturday.

Swansea will open against Battery Creek and the will face either host team Aynor or Hanahan the same day.

The state finals will take place Feb. 15 at Dreher High School.

WWW.SCMAT.COMTOP 20 RANKINGS

(Class 5A)

1. Hillcrest, 2. River Bluff, 3. Lugoff-Elgin, 4. J.F. Byrnes, 5. Fort Mill, 6. Chapin, 7. Rock Hill, 8. White Knoll,

9. Carolina Forest, 10. Dorman, 11. Lexington, 12. Summerville, 13. Fort Dorchester, 14. Ashley Ridge, 15. Clover, 16. J.L. Mann, 17. Greenwood,

18. Wando, 19. Cane Bay, 20. Boiling Springs

(Class 4A)

1. Eastside, 2. South Pointe, 3. Travelers Rest, 4. York, 5. North Myrtle Beach, 6. Belton-Honea Path, 7. Dreher, 8. South Aiken, 9. South Aiken, 10. Beaufort, 11. Greer, 12. Westwood, 13. Airport, 14. Brookland-Cayce, 15. Midland Valley,

16. Hilton Head, 17. Blue Ridge, 18. Lancaster, 19. Walhalla, 20. Palmetto

(Class 3A)

1. Indland Land, 2. West-Oak, 3. May River, 4. Crescent, 5. Gilbert, 6. Chester, 7. Union County, 8. Powdersville, 9. Broome, 10. Woodruff, 11. Chesnee, 12. Liberty,

13. Battery Creek, 14. Aynor, 15. Pelion, 16. Emerald, 17. Swansea,

18. Camden, 19. Loris, 20. Waccamaw