Three Midlands teams to wrestle for state title. Here’s the full schedule, what to look for
The South Carolina High School League wrestling dual state championships are Saturday at Dreher High School.
Here is a look at the schedule, ticket prices and what to watch for in Saturday’s matches
Ticket prices: $10 (5 and under admitted free).
Class 2A: North Central vs. Bamberg-Ehrhardt, 11 a.m.
Notes: It’s the second year in a row two teams have wrestled for the state title. B-E won 39-3 last year. North Central is looking for just the second state title in any team sport. The Knights’ other team championship was in softball in 1999. North Central High School was hit by a tornado last month, and the Knights have had to wrestle and hold their matches at a middle school in Kershaw County. B-E is ranked No. 1 in SCMat rankings and NC is fifth. North Central junior Kalab Haven is a two-time individual state champion. B-E is making its 11th state title appearance since 2006.
Class 3A: Gilbert vs. Indian Land, 1 p.m.
Notes: It’s the second year in a row two teams have wrestled each other for the state title. Indian Land won 44-12 for its first state title. Gilbert seniors Brennen and Barrett Croup both are signed to wrestle at Spartanburg Methodist. Barrett is 41-0 this season. Gilbert’s only loss to a 3A opponent this year was to May River last month. Indian Land is No. 1 in SCMat rankings, and Gilbert is fifth.
Class 4A: Eastside vs. Hartsville, 3:30 p.m.
Notes: Eastside is going for its seventh state championship in the past eight years and 15th overall. The Eagles’ 14 state titles are the second most in state history behind Rock Hill’s 18 titles. It’s the first state championship appearance for Hartsville. Eastside is ranked No. 1 in SCMat rankings, and Hartsville is No. 8.
Class 5A: White Knoll vs. Hillcrest 6 p.m.
Notes: It’s the first state title appearance for White Knoll. The Timberwolves are coached by Kyle Kimrey, who is in his third season after coaching at Dutch Fork, Irmo and Battery Creek. Kimrey won three individual state titles in high school at Dutch Fork.
“It is an awesome, fun ride and an experience we are going to enjoy,” Kimrey said. “I came to White Knoll for this. I knew with this community, it is a blue collar community, not scared to fight and work hard. With the group we had, we get along well and work hard. Special group of kids. The camaraderie is the best I have ever had.”
Hillcrest is the defending state champion and ranked No. 1 in SCMat. White Knoll is ranked eighth and finished second in Region 5-5A behind River Bluff.. The Timberwolves advanced to the state championship by winning all four matches on the road, traveling 15 hours in a five-day span. White Knoll has five seniors on the squad - Nolan Shannon, Quentin Dodd, Jack Scott, Chris Kirk and Nick Taiste. Shannon is 50-6 and has lost to only one in-state wrestler this season. Taiste is in his first year on the team and is a South Carolina State football commitment.
This story was originally published February 14, 2020 at 9:20 AM.
