Green Wave driven in title pursuit

Summerville was ready to board a bus for a match at Colleton County on Wednesday, and coach Darryl Tucker jested that his team "was on the road to a championship."

The affable coach didn't specify what type of championship, individual or team, region or state. But if you know Summerville wrestling history, it could be a bountiful postseason for the Green Wave, which owns an 18-2 record heading into postseason.

If you check out scmat.com, the Wave has some wrestlers who are in contention for state championship titles.

Jordan Wigger is No. 1 in the 112-pound division after winning a Class AAAA state crown at 103 pounds last winter.

Eli Ashby is No. 1 in the 135-pound division after coming oh so close to two state titles. He finished second in the 130-pound division the past two seasons.

Junior Aaron Hansen is No. 2 in the 125-pound division after gaining two straight state titles. He won at 119 pounds last year and 112 pounds two years ago.

And then there's the team event. Summerville is fourth in the state. Fort Dorchester is currently No. 1, Rock Hill is second and Hillcrest third.

The team is starting to hit its stride for Monday's first round of the playoffs.

"We finally have everyone in the right weight class," Tucker said. "We're healthy and finally starting to stabilize. If we stay off our backs and keep from giving up bonus points, we should be OK."

The team has fared well in big meets. The Wave finished third in the Tiger Classic, which was held in Chapel Hill, N.C. Tucker was pleased because his goal was to finish in the top five.

The team placed fourth in the Outback in North Myrtle Beach. The Wave would have placed second, but a wrestler was disqualified for leaving "inadvertent teeth marks on an opponent," according to Tucker.

The Wave took second to Rock Hill in the Lexington Duals.

The Wave won the Battery Creek Duals last weekend, and that could be a springboard for success in the postseason.

"That was definitely a confidence builder as we head toward the playoffs," Tucker said. "We just have to look at what's in front of us and not ahead to the future. Everyone is thinking about Fort Dorchester, but I tell the kids not to look ahead."

The team hosts White Knoll on Monday, and must be ready for a challenge.

"That's the team that ended our season last year," Tucker said. "We have to be focused."

If the Wave fares well, a showdown against Fort Dorchester looms on Feb. 10.

If the Wave defeats the Fort in postseason action, the Wave could be on the road to a state championship.