HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

SCMAT.com ranks Gilbert High in its preseason wrestling Top 10.

Victories at the Palmetto Classic at Irmo High and strong showings against teams in higher classifications has created a strong belief in this year’s team performing even better than the rankings.

“We have returned most of the team from last year,” head coach Mitch Hudson said. “We have returned 2-time state qualifiers senior Gaven Baker and junior Brennen Crout, who placed 3rd.

“We are returning state qualifiers in seniors Dalton Price and Eric Heydenreich, junior Joshua Coleman and 4th place finisher junior Barrett Crout.

“They have put in more time than any other Gilbert team over the summer by participating in 2 team camps and multiple camps on their own. These guys have grown tremendously with their wrestling and continue to grow every time they take the mat.”

In addition to the returning grapplers, Hudson said freshmen Blake Wise, Whit Rucker, Grayson Keisler, Neil Bastion, Harley Boatwright and Jackson Caulder have created a competitive environment.

Sophmores Dakota Price, Kyle Decker, Cody Hampton, CJ Meetze, Garrett Edwards and wrestlers in the bigger weight classes like Carson Harmon, Grady Wilson and Brice Smith also are returning.

The Indians’ goal, according to Hudson, is to stay healthy and keep improving going into Region 5-3A competition against defending Lower State champion Swansea and Pelion.

“You expect your wrestlers that have a state qualifier tag on their name to step up in big matches,” he said.

“Big matches are won by the guys no one knows, Those guys have to come up big and be ready when their name is called to surprise their opponents.

“Bonus points are big and staying off your back is the most important thing.

“We will get better and do everything we can to be battle tested in January when it all starts to count.”

Chapin wins Silver Fox Invitational

With five 1st place finishes, the Chapin wrestling team won the Silver Fox Invitational held this past weekend at Dutch Fork High School.

The Eagles scored 247 points to beat out Airport

(170), Irmo (136.5), Timberland (106), Dutch Fork

(105) and Swansea (80) in the Top 6 standings.

Porter Lesesne (106 pounds), Mitchell O’Connor (138 lbs.), Josh Green (145 lbs.), Shawn Haile (182 lbs.) and Hunter Dixon (220 lbs.) all finished in first for Chapin. Other winners were Octavio Alveraze (113 lbs.) of Swansea, Heyden Goldiner (120 lbs.) and Harrison Ginn (126 lbs.) of Dutch Fork, Jordan Reader (132 lbs.), Justin Hayes (152 lbs.) and Gary Montgomery (160 lbs.) of Irmo and Steve Salgado (195 lbs.) and Jacob McNamar (285 lbs.) of Airport.

Pelion places 4th at the Rumble

The Pelion wrestling team had 5 wrestlers that placed in the Top 3 at the Rumble at the River event this past weekend at North Augusta High School.

Blake Bagwell (120 pounds) finished 1st, Jesse Baughman (132 lbs.), Grayson Baker (170 lbs.) and Will Jeffcoat were 2nd and Brad Creech (152 lbs.) placed third. The Panthers finished fourth out of 12 teams.

Lexington, River Bluff

compete at the Classic

River Bluff and Lexington high schools finished in 5th and 6th place, respectively, at the Kingsley Classic held this past weekend in Fort Mill.

Isaac Manning (160 pounds) of Lexington and Isaac Ortega (182 lbs.) of River Bluff each placed 1st in their respective weight classifications. William Butler (170 lbs.) and Brandon Riley (113 lbs.), both of River Bluff, and Torren Hicks and Walker Anderson (285 lbs.), both of Lexington all finished in 2nd place and the Wildcats’ Chance Kilcrease (145 lbs.) placed 3rd.