Hanahan eyes repeat of wrestling title

A year after winning the Class AA state wrestling championship, the Hanahan Hawks seek an identity after losing seven seniors. They also seek another title.

Coach Ray Adkins guided his team to a 31-3 record and a 53-25 victory over Chesnee in the state championship, the Hawks' first title in the sport.

Hanahan is currently No. 1 in the latest state coaches poll, but Adkins admits there is work to be done.

"We're going to have to fight and earn the state title," he said. "Nobody is going to give it to us. The kids have to go out each night and prove they are the best. So far, we just haven't been that impressive. Some other teams have fought harder and wanted it more than we did."

The Hawks have struggled at times this season. Adkins said the Hawks haven't been able to put their best wrestlers on the mat due to some nagging injuries and a successful football season that kept some wrestlers on the gridiron two weeks longer than other athletes.

The team has talent. J.J. Johnson returns after finishing second in the state in the 103-pound weight division, while Dennis Flores was crowned state champ in the 145-pound division. Johnson is currently No. 1 in the 120-pound classification and Flores tops the 160-pound classification. Both grapplers earned All-American status.

Kevin Murray (106), Kyle Sargent (132) and Haven Horlback (145) are other starters who should make an impact.

The team has talent. But Adkins says it takes something special to win a championship.

"The kids last year had fire in their bellies," Adkins said. "They wanted to win. All of our kids aren't there yet. We graduated seven seniors, and not all of them were pinners and state qualifiers. But they did know how to avoid getting pinned."

The Hawks hope to dominate the Region 6-AA duals and contend with Aynor and Edisto for the Lower State title.

"I'd like to put us in the same category as them, but right now, we're just not there."