Ian Barker and Andrew Young from
Summerville relax and chat before
their All-Star match in 2004.
Barker now wrestles for Limestone
and Young wrestles for Newberry.
Jeremiah Webb of Battery Creek
during his 2005 State Finals match.
Webb now wrestles for Spartanburg
Methodist.
Though we have some great long-standing wrestling programs in state, The Citadel and Anderson College,
this article will focus on our state's newest programs that have 5 or less years competing nationally.
Newberry College, Limestone College and Spartanburg Methodist College have been cracking into the
Top 25 Nationally the last 2 seasons and they deserve some recognition for this achievement.
Let's jump into each program and take a quick view of where they have gained the momentum.
Newberry CollegeAn NCAA Division 2 program for the last 3 seasons, and competing in the NWCA 4 seasons ago, Newberry College has recently climbed into the Number 9 spot of the National Rankings. In 2006-2007, Newberry finished 25th in the Nation at D2 Nationals. Head Coach Jason Valek, along with Assistant Coaches Kelly Revells and Matt Finley have been making progress for 4 straight years and their recruiting has landed strong classes each year. Some key points of interest on their web site include: Wrestling Roster - Newberry Wrestling Media Guide - Newberry Collegiate Qualifiers and All-Americans include: 2007 - Andrew Young - 133 lbs. (wrestled at Summerville) 2007 - Latra Collick - 149 lbs. 2007 - Quinn Tolbert - 174 lbs. (wrestled at Summerville) 2007 - Keeno Griffin - 184 lbs. 2007 - Kelly Anundson - 197 lbs. 2007 - Cy Wainwright - 285 lbs. 2006 - Alonso Azumendi - 165 lbs. (wrestled at Byrnes) 2006 - Quinn Tolbert - 174 lbs. (7th, All-American) (wrestled at Summerville) 2006 - Kelly Anundson - 285 lbs. 2005 - Quinn Tolbert - Newberry College (NCWA) - 1st place (National Champion), 174 lbs. - (wrestled at Summerville) 2005 - Trevon Fordham - Newberry College (NCWA) - ? place, 165 lbs. - (wrestled at Hanahan) Limestone College
An NCAA Division 2 program for the last 4 seasons, Limestone College has recently climbed into the Number 15 spot of the National Rankings. Head Coach Ben Stehura along with Assistant Coaches Kevin Vees and Trent Goodale have really started to see the program gain momentum. Some key features on their web site include: Wrestling Roster - Limestone Wrestling Media Guide - Limestone Collegiate Qualifiers and All-Americans include: 2007 - Trey Moss - 285 lbs. (wrestled at White Knoll) 2006 - Brent Clausing - 125 lbs. 2005 - John Richard - HWT (7th, All-American) Spartanburg Methodist College
An NJCAA program for the last 5 seasons, Spartanburg Methodist College has recently climbed into the Number 5 spot of the National Rankings. Jeremiah Webb is currently Ranked #1 at 197 lbs. In 2006-2007, the team placed 9th in Division I of the NJCAA and 13th in the field of 35 teams competing in the overall tournament Head Coach Robbie Higdon along with Assistant Coach Tony Caterisano have seen great success over the last 5 years and expect to climb higher. A key feature on their web site includes: Wrestling Roster - Spartanburg Methodist Sports Media Guide 2006-2007 - Spartanburg Methodist Collegiate Qualifiers and All-Americans include: 2007 - Michael Boring - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 125 lbs. - (wrestled at Goose Creek) 2007 - Justin Newell - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 133 lbs. 2007 - Jonathan Webb - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 141 lbs. 2007 - Tim Burdine - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 2nd, 149 lbs. 2007 - Jonathan Jackson - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 157 lbs. - (wrestled at Lake City) 2007 - John Murray - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 8th, 165 lbs. 2007 - Jeremiah Webb - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 6th, 197 lbs. - (wrestled at Battery Creek) 2006 - Justin Newell - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 125 lbs. 2006 - Jonathon Webb - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 133 lbs. 2006 - Andy Schuster - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 141 lbs. - (wrestled at Ninety-Six) 2006 - Charles Bugarin - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 149 lbs. - (wrestled at Bishop England) 2006 - Jonathon Jackson - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 157 lbs. - (wrestled at Lake City) 2006 - Cody Galloway - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 184 lbs. - (wrestled at Northwestern) 2006 - Sidney Russell - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 197 lbs. - (wrestled at Wando) 2005 - Charles Bugarin - Spartanburg Methodist College (NJCAA) - 8th, 149 lbs. - (wrestled at Bishop England) Hopefully in this SCMAT exclusive article for 2007-2008 the history of SC wrestling is defining itself as an exciting past with a future awaiting more greatness. These historical articles at SCMAT will hopefully provide accurate facts though we may always have missed some data at some point. If you notice a correction, addition or just want to comment please send a reply to scmat@hotmail.com thanks, Mark Buford