“Ha Ha! Next question.”

That was White Knoll wrestling head coach Kyle Kimrey’s response regarding his team’s upcoming matches. Like most of his SC High School League peers, covid-19 has wreaked havoc on his team’s schedule with several cancellations.

The Timberwolves made up for the lost time with a quad-match this past Saturday. They faced Bluffton, Pelion and defending Class 2A champion Bamberg-Ehrhardt and came away victorious in all 3 matches.

Nevertheless, the defending Class 5A Lower State champions remain focused on winning it all.

“As far as excitement of winning lower-state last season, no one can take what we did last year away from last year’s team,” said Kimrey, who also earned his 200th career win. “That was last year and this is this year. So this team is focused on this season’s goals.

“I was and am concerned about having a season. To this point, we were unable to compete in a match or scrimmage so far this season. I think we’re a very good team and we haven’t had any opportunities to show that.”

Among the returning grapplers are seniors Jason Garay (138 lbs.) and Ty Shealy (195 lbs.) and Eric Lopex (120 lbs.). Kimrey also believes Cam Rice, Dawson Prevette, Zak Kerr, Cole Banks, Davin Caulder can all have special seasons as well.

How the program can negotiate through the pandemic to earn another state title berth is the challenge.

“We have definitely changed certain practice habits to minimize contact tracing, but at the end of the day, it’s hard to control this virus and who gets it, who is exposed,” Kimrey said. “There are just so many outside factors that play into this other than wrestling. Things we do not have much control over.”

SCMAT.COM TOP SENIORS

(Class 5A)

CHAPIN - Josh Green (170 lbs.)

DUTCH FORK - Tanner Ginn (145 lbs.) & AJ Henline (182 lbs.)

LEXINGTON - Landon Beeson (132 lbs.) & Brady Leaphart (160 lbs.)

RIVER BLUFF - Brandon Riley (120 lbs.), Jack Brown (152 lbs.), Quinton Boyle (160 lbs.) & William Rogers (170 lbs.)

WHITE KNOLL - Jason Garay (138 lbs.) & Ty Shealy (195 lbs.)

(Class 3A)

BROOKLAND-CAYCE - Jonah Del Priore (160 lbs.) & Deonta Strader (220 lbs.)

GILBERT - Dakota Price (132 lbs.) & Kyle Decker (195 lbs.)

SWANSEA - Angel Rosales (113 lbs.) & Alan Brantley

(Class 2A)

PELION - Will Jeffcoat (285 lbs.)