Veteran Fort team still out for crown

There may be no better motivator than a loss, and while not focusing their energies on last year's 28-24 loss to Rock Hill in the AAAA state wrestling final, the Fort Dorchester Patriots are looking for atonement in 2010.

Head coach B.D. LaPrad says there has been little mention of last year's defeat ,but if that's what his team needs to motivate it this season, so be it.

"The loss last year is not really something I have talked about to them, but in the back of their minds I'm sure the returning kids have thought about it some," said LaPrad, who has led three different schools (Irmo, Dutch Fork, Fort Dorchester) to state titles. "We were close last year and when you get that close and come up short, you tend to think a lot about this match or that point. It can drive you crazy if you let it.

"This team's goal is to win the state championship. Finish the job. If the returning guys are using the disappointment of last year as motivation, well, that's OK. We just have to remember this is a new year and we have to go out and do it."

The Patriots are clearly one of the few favorites to win the title this season. Entering this week, they were ranked No. 1 in AAAA by SCMAT.com, the state's wrestling Web site.

LaPrad has a veteran team returning, led by two-time state champion Seiji Borja, the top-ranked wrestler in class AAAA in the 152-pound weight class. Senior Michael Young is a returning state champion as well and is the top-ranked 145-pounder in AAAA.

Senior Sonny Bugarin is a four-time state qualifier, and senior captain Geno Porter is ranked second in the state in the 215-pound weight class.

Fort Dorchester is loaded in the heavier weights. Joining Porter is senior 189-pounder Keyshon Flores and senior heavyweight (275) Michael Sellers.

Sellers, noted as one of the top football players in the Lowcountry as a running back, is wrestling for the first time and has provided an extra scoring opportunity for the Patriots.

"To be honest, ability-wise, we're probably a little better overall than we were last year," said LaPrad. "We have a eight or nine state qualifiers returning and a lot of experience and talent. We almost have more people than we have spots for, which I suppose is a good problem to have in most cases."

In an effort to gain some of the edge needed once the state playoffs begin in February, Fort Dorchester will be one of four state powerhouses competing in a quad match at Lexington High School this weekend. Joining the event are AAA power Eastside (winners of seven consecutive state titles), defending AAAA champion Rock Hill, and AAAA contender Lexington.

LaPrad says the event this weekend will help his team iron out some of the early season kinks. While Fort Dorchester is easily winning dual matches in the Lowcountry, the coach thinks his team is a little behind in their overall progress.

We've had a few setbacks in terms of injuries or guys struggling to make weight, little things, nothing major. But, we haven't jelled as a team yet. We're a little behind but it's nothing we can't get right. This team is very focused and they are working very hard so far. They have one goal -- to win a state championship."