South Carolina Wrestling News
SC Wrestling News 2020-2021
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Congratulations to all of our South Carolina wrestlers earning All-American honors at Fargo Nationals:8th William Jakeway (Hilton Head) - 88 lbs. - 16U Greco-Roman
8th Yannis Charles (Clover) - 138 lbs. - 16U Greco-Roman
4th Caitlyn Davis (Hilton Head) - 138 lbs. - Junior Women's Freestyle
8th Dasia Yearby (Christ Church) - 180 lbs. - Junior Women's Freestyle
2nd Zao Estrada (Hilton Head) - 112 lbs. - 16U Women's Freestyle
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Summary from article about Xavier "X" Johnson (former Edisto H.S. wrestler):XAVIER JOHNSON WINS GOLD MEDAL AT PAN AM CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Taylor Miller, USA Wrestling | May 27, 2021
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – The USA collected two gold medals and four silver medals to wrap up the first day of Greco-Roman competition at the 2021 Pan American Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Winning gold medals tonight were Marines athletes Xavier Johnson (67 kg) and Jamel Johnson (72 kg).
Xavier Johnson, an Olympic Trials runner-up and Senior Nationals champion, dominated his way to gold today, giving the fans a show with multiple five-point throws throughout the competition. In the finals, he finished off Enyer Feliciano of the Dominican Republic in just 1:12, scoring a two-pointer, followed by a lift for four points and finally a huge throw for five to win 11-0, securing his first international gold medal. Overall, Xavier went 4-0, outscoring his competition 38-3.
2021 SENIOR PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Guatemala City, Guatemala | May 27-30
U.S. Greco-Roman results
67kg: Xavier Johnson (U.S. Marines) – GOLD
WIN Daniel Coles (Canada), 9-0
WIN Nilton Soto Garcia (Peru), 7-3
WIN Calebe Correa Ferreira (Brazil), 11-0
WIN Enyer Feliciano (Dominican Republic), 11-0
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Summary results about Xavier "X" Johnson (former Edisto H.S. wrestler) winning U.S. Senior Nationals as well as being named Outstanding Wrestler for the Tournament:USA WRESTLING SENIOR NATIONALS
At Coralville, Iowa, April 30, 2021
Greco-Roman results
72 KG
1st Xavier Johnson (Marines) tech fall Jamel Johnson (Marines), 8-0 0:45
3rd Michael Hooker (Army (WCAP)) forfeit Griffin Parriott (Minnesota)
5th Justin Koethe (Ubasa Wrestling Academy) tech fall Hunter Murphy (Olivet Wrestling Club), 8-0 0:29
7th Ryan Ojeda (California) pin Micah Arakawa (Grapplers HI), 3:17
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JJ Peace (Cane Bay) wrestled with team MF BLACK at the NHSCA NATIONAL DUALS and went 6-0 over two days. Congratulations JJ!---------------------------------------------------
Congratulations to Hannah Mains (Ashley Ridge) selected by The National Wrestling Hall Of Fame as the state winner of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award!Congratulations to Chris Compton (Byrnes) selected by The National Wrestling Hall Of Fame as the state winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award!
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Congratulations to these S.C. wrestlers that were recognized as Wrestling USA Magazine High School Senior All Americans (Honorable Mention):Chris Compton, Byrnes
Kaleem Heard, Northwestern
Ryan Dobbs, West-Oak
Chandler Amaker, Fort Dorchester
Eyan McNight, Hillcrest
WUSA H.S. All American issue
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Congratulations to these S.C. wrestlers that placed at 2021 NHSCA Nationals (April 23-25):Senior Nationals 113 3rd James Levy (Hilton Head)
Senior Nationals 160 2nd Chandler Amaker (Fort Dorchester)
Junior Nationals 138 3rd Thomas Snipes (Hillcrest)
Sophomore Nationals 106 5th Ty Tice (Eastside)
Girls H.S. Nationals 120 5th Isabella Hoffman (Fort Mill)
Girls H.S. Nationals 128 2nd Aniyah Kelly (Woodmont)
Girls H.S. Nationals 136 6th Hannah Mains (Ashley Ridge)
Middle School 75 1st Shamus Regan (Fort Mill)
Middle School 90 8th Preston White ()
Middle School 127 4th Blue Skylar Stiffler (Eastover)
Middle School 180 6th Carter Stoyanowski (Lexington)
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2021 SCWCA North-South All-Star Wrestling Classic:5A/2A-1A 41, 4A/3A 28
All-Star match video
2021cAll-Star Wrestlers/Matches and results
2021 North/South All-Star Announcement from SCWCA
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State Tournament updates on March 6, 2021 will be at trackwrestling.com ... search for Event Name "SCHSL State Championships"2021 State Brackets:
5A State Brackets 2021
4A State Brackets 2021
3A State Brackets 2021
2A-1A State Brackets 2021
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SCMAT Guest Columnist Coach Russ Howard has contributed a great article below, which puts focus on one of the most controversial moments of the year during State Duals on February 15:Article- The God Rule
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Congratulations to Xavier "X" Johnson (former Edisto H.S. wrestler) for winning the 2021 Pan-American Greco-Roman Championships as well as the 2021 U.S. Senior Nationals in Greco-Roman and being named MOW. Stories under the SCMAT News section.Finals video for Xavier at U.S. Senior Nationals
Interview with Xavier "X" Johnson
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Zao Estrada (Hilton Head) was a double winner at USA Wrestling Nationals last week, winning USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals (16U 112 lbs) as well as USA Wrestling National Recruiting Showcase (112 lbs). These two National tournaments were held in Iowa from March 25-28.Congratulations Zao, the Estrada family and Hilton Head wrestling!
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South Carolina Wrestling Coaches Association Annual Awards - presented at the SCWCA North-South All-Star Wrestling ClassicS.C. Senior Wrestler of the Year - Chris Compton - Byrnes (Coach Russ Howard)
5A Senior Wrestler of the Year - Kaleem Heard - Northwestern (Coach Leon Boulware)
4A Senior Wrestler of the Year - Eli Hall - Maye River (Coach Ashley Powell)
3A Senior Wrestler of the Year - Ryan Dobbs - West-Oak (Coach Greg Brewer)
2A-1A Senior Wrestler of the Year - Kalab Haven - North Central (Coach Jason Brazell)
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Monday, March 8 is International Women's Day 2021 ... and SCMAT would like to celebrate the accomplishment of one of our state's best wrestlers:March 8 - SCMAT Exclusive - Zao Estrada S.C. wrestling History
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The SCMAT Exclusives, entitled 10 wrestlers from South Carolina that inspired our state ... and influenced the SCMAT record book:SCMAT Exclusive - Day 10 - T.J. Dudley
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 9 - Clay Walker
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 8 - Ike Anderson
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 7 - Brittany Delgado and Brieana Delgado
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 6 - Tom Borrelli
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 5 - Sammie Henson
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 4 - Ben Connell
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 3 - Lamar Thompson
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 2 - Shelton Benjamin
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 1 - Dan Wirnsberger
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Congratulations State Duals Champions - Hillcrest (5A), Eastside (4A), Belton-Honea Path (3A), Crescent (2A-1A)SC State Duals Finals are set:
State Finals (2/20) - Round 3 - Round 2 - Round 1
SCHSL will update these State Duals brackets:
5A State -- 4A State -- 3A State -- 2A-1A State
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Super Bowl LV is later today (Sunday) and Tom Brady, quarterback of Tampa Bay, returns for his tenth Super Bowl. Let's reflect on how his Super Bowl fame began!Would you believe that a former SC wrestler (and football player) from Lower Richland would catch Tom Brady's first Super Bowl touchdown pass on February 3, 2002?
SCMAT Exclusive - SC wrestlers that went on to the NFL
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Top wrestler lists have been updated below by Coaches (2021)Jan. 14 * 5A Sr * 4A Sr * 3A Sr * 2A-1A Sr * SCISA Sr *
Jan. 19 * 5A Jr * 4A Jr * 3A Jr * 2A-1A Jr * SCISA Jr *
Jan. 21 * 5A So * 4A So * 3A So * 2A-1A So * SCISA So *
Jan. 26 * 5A Fr * 4A Fr * 3A Fr * 2A-1A Fr * SCISA Fr *
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SCMAT has two Exclusive articles this week for fans to enjoy SC wrestling history over the holidays.December 24 - SCMAT Exclusive - Part 1, 1999 2A-1A Wrestling State Tournament
December 25 - SCMAT Exclusive - Part 2, 1999 2A-1A Wrestling State Tournament
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SCMAT's Guest Columnist M. Murray returns with a new article called 4 FOR 4 (thank you M. Murray!):4 FOR 4
Jackson Stembridge 1A/2A Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Kalab Haven 1A/2A North Central
Kaleem Heard 4A York Comprehensive
Chris Compton 5A J.F. Byrnes
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SCMAT has a Guest Columnist that has contributed articles to preview the season (thank you M. Murray!):5A Preseason numbers
4A Preseason numbers
3A Preseason numbers
2A-1A Preseason numbers
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South Carolina wrestlers in the most recent National RankingsNational Girls High School Rankings
Developed by National Wrestling Hall of Fame, USA Wrestling and FloWrestling
May 28, 2021
112 Pounds
3. Zao Estrada, Freshman, Hilton Head, South Carolina, Hilton Head High School
122 Pounds
18. Isabella Hoffman, Junior, Tega Cay, South Carolina, Fort Mill High School
127 Pounds
22. April Kelly, Junior, Taylors, South Carolina, Woodmont High School
180 Pounds
7. Dasia Yearby, Junior, Wellford, South Carolina, Christ Church Episcopal School
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South Carolina wrestlers in the most recent National RankingsNational Girls High School Rankings
Developed by National Wrestling Hall of Fame, USA Wrestling and FloWrestling
April 20, 2021
112 Pounds
4. Zao Estrada, Freshman, Hilton Head, South Carolina, Hilton Head High School
127 Pounds
15. April Kelly, Junior, Taylors, South Carolina, Woodmont High School
180 Pounds
8. Dasia Yearby, Junior, Wellford, South Carolina, Christ Church Episcopal School
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The South Carolina Wrestling Coaches Association (SCWCA) is pleased to announce the finalists for SC Wrestler of the Year. Each wrestler has been nominated by his coach as well as a teacher or administrator from his school. Good Luck to these fine athletes. (alphabetically listed)5A
Chris Compton- Byrnes
Kaleem Heard- Northwestern
Steven Johnson- Nation Ford
Eyan McKnight- Hillcrest
4A
Eli Hall- May River
Miles Scott- Eastside
3A
Easton Brannan- Belton-Honea Path
Ryan Dobbs- West-Oak
2A/1A
Kalab Haven- North Central
Will Jeffcoat- Pelion
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South Carolina wrestlers in the most recent National RankingsNational Girls High School Rankings
Developed by National Wrestling Hall of Fame, USA Wrestling and FloWrestling
March 5, 2021
112 Pounds
24. Zao Estrada, Freshman, Hilton Head, South Carolina, Hilton Head High School
127 Pounds
25. April Kelly, Junior, Taylors, South Carolina, Woodmont High School
180 Pounds
3. Dasia Yearby, Junior, Wellford, South Carolina, Christ Church Episcopal School
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Obituary (first section) of Jim Flowers - former SC wrestling coachMANNING – James Lee Flowers, Jr., 81, husband of 54 years to Barbara Jean Knight Flowers, died Friday, February 26, 2021, at Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro. He was a resident of Veterans Victory House Nursing Home.
Born October 26, 1939, in Manning, he was a son of the late James Lee Flowers, Sr. and the late Gracie Mae Lemmon Flowers. He was a US Air Force veteran and a member of Manning United Methodist Church. Jim was a talented athlete who spent most of his life in sports and coaching. He graduated Manning High School in 1957 and lettered in three sports. Upon graduation he played semi-pro football with Sumter Generals and Charleston Sports. He received a BS degree in Physical Education and Health from Eastern Kentucky University where he excelled in intramural sports and served as assistant wrestling coach. He was innovative in promoting the sport of wrestling in South Carolina. He built teams at Charleston, Middleton, Summerville and Socastee High Schools and took them to Championship levels. Among his many awards and trophies, he was proud to be named SC Wrestling Coach of the Year. He was assistant football coach at the latter three schools and served as head football coach at Elloree High School. He was also Athletic Director at Charleston, Scott’s Branch, and Elloree High Schools.
full obituary:
https://www.stephensfuneralhome.org/obituaries/James-Lee-Flowers-Jr-?obId=20106720
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The Seeds for the 2021 SCISA State Duals tournamentRegular Season Standings
1. Hammond 8-0
2. Ben Lippen 6-2
3. Cardinal Newman 4-2
4. Heathwood Hall 6-3
5. Greenwood Christian 2-5
6. John Paul II 2-6
7. Augusta Christian 1-9
8. Colleton Prep 1-6
All matches will be in Columbia (dates set by host teams.)
1vs8 Wednesday 2/3 @ Hammond v. Colleton Prep
2vs7 Monday 2/1 @ Ben Lippen v. Augusta Christian
3vs6 Wednesday 2/3 @ Cardinal Newman v. John Paul II
4vs5 Tuesday 2/2 @ Heathwood Hall v. Greenwood Christian
State Finals will be:
11:00 am Saturday 2/6 @ Hammond in the Upper School Gym
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January 3, 2021HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University wrestling team is ready to open its 2020-21 campaign, under third-year head coach Derrick Nelson.
The Cobras won eight dual matches a season ago, while also boasting four national qualifiers, a Super Region II Coach of the Year award and seven National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-Americans. The Cobras were also picked fourth in the 2020-21 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll.
Nelson says that the Cobras want to build on what they accomplished a season ago.
"We have lofty goals for this season," said Nelson. "We want at minimum four guys back at nationals, we want to challenge for regional and conference trophies. We want to be in the discussions as one of the best teams in the country. That's across the board. We have to believe it otherwise it will never come."
The Cobras return the majority of last year's roster, including 2019-20 Division II national qualifiers Omar Armengol, Corey Christie and Zachary Van Alst. Nelson believes that high-level experience will play in their favor this season.
"We have the luxury of having several wrestlers on the roster with national tournament experience at the Division II level," said Nelson. "These returners have been through a season, and the dual schedule and will be relied on heavily to hold down the fort while our younger wrestlers find their footing. Even guys who have not seen the tournament yet but are putting in the work that have been here growing and getting better are going to be a big boost to us once we can all be together."
Nelson also spoke very highly of his incoming recruiting class, mad up of seven freshmen and three transfers.
We are excited about our newcomers, and will be looking to them for a spark and a shot in the arm to add to what we already have established here," said Nelson. "We have guys with Division I experience, that have been on the tops of state podiums looking to cut their teeth and help the Cobras succeed."
Nelson added that the returners and newcomers have been able to push each other and mesh together nicely as a team.
"It has been a seamless experience, with COVID-19 you wouldn't expect it, however we had some time to get together and train, and grow together as a family," said Nelson. 'We were fortunate to be able to have the time to train over the breaks and in the Fall to get to know one another, and to figure out each other's personalities and senses of humor. Luckily we have brought in a great group of guys that adds to the great group we have here already."
Several Cobras have garnered recognition in the national preseason polls. Armengol is ranked No. 15 at 133 pounds by FloWrestling, while Christie is ranked No. 15 at 165 pounds by FloWrestling. Van Alst is ranked No. 14 at 141 pounds by The Open Mat, while Matthew Shields is ranked No. 16 at 174 pounds by the Open Mat. Nelson says the high expectations extend beyond those nationally ranked.
"We have high expectations for everyone on the roster," said Nelson. "We wouldn't have recruited them here if we did think they couldn't help us be successful, and vice versa. We've been down the rabbit hole the past two years putting maybe one or two guys on a pedestal or under a microscope and that doesn't benefit anyone. We have high expectations for all of these guys, we want to have more than just four guys going to nationals, so we have to expect the best from all of our guys every day."
The Cobras open the season at Emmanuel (Ga.) on Jan. 5, before hosting Queens (N.C.) on Jan. 11 and No. 25 Belmont Abbey on Jan. 15. The Cobras conclude the month of January hosting No. 8//9/12 Newberry on Jan. 22, before traveling to No. 20 Limestone on Jan. 28. The Cobras travel to King (Tenn.) on Feb. 7, before hosting Mount Olive for Senior Night on Feb. 12. Coker will wrap up the regular season at Lander on Feb. 18.
"I think we have a very competitive conference that doesn't always get the most the love from the national pundits, but if you look out over our schedule we have teams with highly ranked wrestlers, strong dual meet lineups and great coaches," said Nelson. "We have to be on every dual meet if we want to be where we want to be at the end of the year. That starts on Jan. 5 and will end after nationals are concluded."
The season opener against Emmanuel (Ga.) on Jan. 5 is set for a 6:00 p.m. start from Franklin Springs, Ga., with video available at www.cokercobras.com.
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Congratulations to the four SC High School Girl wrestlers that are ranked in the Top 25 Nationally:Link to Full Rankings
National Girls High School Rankings
Developed by National Wrestling Hall of Fame, USA Wrestling and Flowrestling
November 5, 2020
106 Pounds
24. Zao Estrada, Freshman, Hilton Head, South Carolina, Hilton Head Island High School
117 Pounds
25. Maya Vincent, Junior, Columbia, South Carolina, Irmo High School
164 Pounds
25. Kyleigh Dean, Junior, Aynor, South Carolina, Aynor High School
180 Pounds
5. Dasia Yearby, Junior, Wellford, South Carolina, Christ Church Episcopal School
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Islanders Wrestling is Hosting a All Girls Wrestling clinic on November 21 with Brandy Green Olympic wrestler. If interested please contact coach Bayer at islanderswrestling@hotmail.com.or or call 843 707 3240.---------------------------------------------------
High School Realignment---------------------------------------------------
2019-2020 Season results have all been moved under the History section links to the left.---------------------------------------------------
Dixie is looking for used wrestling mats. Call Coach Anthony Martin - 803-920-1864---------------------------------------------------
