Summerville wrestlers go for gold
The South Carolina High School League holds its individual state wrestling championships this weekend, but there will be plenty of team drama between two longtime rivals.
State qualifiers
Local athletes who will compete in this weekend’s individual state wrestling championships:
Class AAAA106James Sass, SummervilleAlbert Ednilao, Cane Bay 113Levi Joly, Bluffton Tyre Wright, Fort DorchesterWilliam Spann, Beaufort120Alex Cullen, WandoTyler Fachko, Summerville 126Gavin Perkins, Summerville Ben Crutchfield, Wando 132Nicholas Young, Stratford 138Austin Farmer, Bluffton 145A.J. Alford, Fort Dorchester Forrest Kimbrell, Beaufort152Chad Wood, Summerville Michael Meyerink, Bluffton Michael Holmes, Beaufort 160Trey Arant, Beaufort Anthony Collins, S’ville170TJ Deveaux, Stratford Zach Armstrong, Ashley Ridge Jacob Hutchinson, Fort Dorchester 182Matt Rudy, Cane Bay Codrian Smalls, BeaufortNoah Shuler, Stratford 195Clint Wright, Beaufort Tyler Moore, Ashley Ridge 220Daniel Dees, StratfordKentrell Seabrook, Beaufort285Tyler Wilson, Beaufort Class AAA106Matt Levy, Hilton Head113Tyler Fick, Hilton Head120Di’Andre Robinson, Berkeley126Dominick Gadsen, BerkeleyBrock Massey, Hilton Head132Label Lewis, Hilton Head 138Haven Horleback, Hanahan Dustin Pack, Georgetown145Frank Cromwell, James IslandBrian Joseph, Hanahan152Forest Bowman, Hanahan Trevon Rawls, Hilton Head160Zorrie Green, StallCole Zakis, HanahanAlex King, Berkeley170Dennis Flores, Hanahan 182Alonzo McGill, Berkeley195J.C. Graham, Hilton Head 220Jacob Garibay, Hanahan Jalil Smith, Georgetown285Chris Flynn, James IslandClass AA-A106Mikey Pascual, St. John’sJoseph Cuevas, Battery CreekAustin Rentzel, Timberland113Andrew Collins, Bishop England120Mario DellaRosa, Bishop England126Josh McDermett, Academic Magnet132Ivan Wiggins, Military Magnet138Brian Labean, Battery CreekDavontae Wilder, Burke145Sterling Campbell, Garrett Tech152David Sottile, Bishop EnglandRashawn Lowry, Burke160DeAndre Johnson, Battery CreekBrooks Morgan, TimberlandTramaine Carroll, Baptist Hill170Bernard Harmon, Timberland182Leonard Brown, Baptist Hill195Isaiah Sloan, Battery Creek220Malcolm Nazon, Bishop England285Johnathan Wright, Battery CreekSummerville and Rock Hill each enter the event with 90 individual state champions.
That could change by the time the two-day competition concludes Saturday at The Anderson Civic Center. Summerville has five wrestlers in action this weekend and three could claim gold medals: James Sass (106), Gavin Perkins (126) and Chad Wood (152). Rock Hill has nine wrestlers competing, but none are serious contenders for individual titles.
“The rivalry has simmered down the last few years,” Summerville coach Darryl Tucker said. “It used to be us or them. We would win the state title one year, and they would win it the next. But over the years, Hillcrest, Lexington and other teams have emerged and won state titles. Summerville versus Rock Hill has died down a little bit, but you can still feel the temperature rise when Summerville and Rock Hill meet on the mat.”
Tucker has coached some of the best wrestlers in state history, including Jordan Wigger and Aaron Hansen. Both wrestlers were four-time state champions at Summerville.
Tucker graduated from Summerville High in 1993.
“I understand the history and want to keep the winning tradition going,” he said. “I want to keep the momentum moving in a positive way.”
Two Hanahan wrestlers will attempt to defend their state titles: Dennis Flores and J.J. Johnson. Flores (152) defeated Chesnee’s Dustin Martin, 12-1 last year, and Johnson (120) cruised to victory over Buford’s Dylan Altman, 18-1.
Comments { }
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.