Ashley Ridge and Summerville wrestlers put the exclamation mark on their season, finishing high in the team standings and crowning multiple state champions during the state wrestling finals.
Summerville exacted a bit of revenge during the Class AAAAA Boys Wrestling State Championships, topping Fort Mill and Chapin in team points. The Green Wave finished on top of the points standings for the championships Feb. 24-25 with 81.5 points.
Chapin, which in December handed Summerville one of what would become only three Green Wave duals losses for the 2022-23 season, placed second with 75 points. Fort Mill, which upset Summerville 34-32 in the 5A Duals Championship Feb. 11, placed third with 73 points. Ashley Ridge placed ninth with 42 points and Fort Dorchester placed 12th with 36.5 points.
Summerville’s Ben Guilliam won the 138-pound weight class to claim a state title. Guilliam won an 8-6 decision over River Bluff’s Michael Rogers in the first-place match to improve his individual record to 41-3.
Summerville’s Mason Ayers won the 182-pound class. Ayers claimed a 13-5 major decision over Fort Mill’s T.J. Miller in the first-place match to improve to 41-4.
Summerville’s Caleb Herring placed second at 126. He lost a major decision to Byrnes wrestler Conner Beaudin in the first-place match. Hassan Williams placed third at 152, improving to 41-4 along the way. Xavier Anderson placed fourth at 113. Hunter Hickman (132) and Landon Deaton (106) also represented the Green Wave at the championships.
Ashley Ridge’s Keith Grace won the 152-pound class. Grace claimed a 4-3 decision over Dorman’s Owen Hendricks in the first-place match to improve to 30-3. Christian Garland placed second at 220. The senior was edged out with a 2-1 decision by St. James wrestler Grayson Gollie in the first-place match. Garland finishes his high school career with a 20-2 record.
J.J. Marsar placed third at 120, improving to 20-2 in the process. Emory Dalton (106) also represented the Swamp Foxes at the championships.
Fort Dorchester’s Richard Springs won the 113-pound class. He defeated Gaffney’s Aaron Wilburn in a tie-breaker round of the first-place match to improve to 35-1. Zachary Gomer-Chrobocinski placed third at 106, improving to 31-6 on the way. Caleb Wilson (120) and Nathan Gates (126) also represented the Patriots at the championships.
5A Girls Championships
Ashley Ridge had the highest finish for local teams during the 5A Girls Wrestling Championships. Rock Hill finished on top of the points standings with 101 points. Greenwood placed second with 98 points and Ashley Ridge placed third with 82 points. Summerville placed 10th with 49 points.
Ashley Ridge’s Annalise Maralit won the 106-pound Lower class. She pinned Indian Land wrestler Addie Shaw in the first-place match.
Ashley Ridge’s Lillie Costilla won the 126-pound class. She claimed a sudden victory over Clover’s Kalliscya Gardner in the first-place match.
Swamp Foxes wrestler Alyssa Wildes won the 170-pound class. The senior pinned Lancaster’s Nichya Pemberton in the first-place match.
Summerville’s Caroline Gilstrap won the 138-pound class. The senior pinned Travel Rest’s Angie Knepp in the first-place match. Wave grappler Sydney Palma placed third at 132. She claimed a 2-1 decision over Bluffton’s Siobhan Rogers in the third-place match.
