AAA LOWER STATE REPORT

By Stephen C. Sutusky

ssutusky@sc.rr.com

Email 3A Lower State results and info!

 

            The AAA Lower State picture is becoming clearer each week.  In December, Lake City, Carolina Forest, and North Myrtle Beach all wrestled to impressive finishes at the Chiefs Classic in NMB.  Theo Meryanos led Carolina Forest by finishing 1st in the 152 weight class, while Lake City’s Brockington also captured a title at 160.  The same weekend as the Chiefs Classic, Brookland-Cayce wrestled at Spring Valley’s Taco Bell Invitation and had impressive performances from Rorey Garnett at 160 and Cody Garnett at 103.  AC Flora, Camden, and Dreher all wrestled well in the Lugoff-Elgin Holiday Classic.  Dreher’s Ray Rembert (145) finally wrestled to the potential he showed last postseason by finishing second to Julius Frederick, while AC Flora’s Taylor Duren (160) was also a finalist providing an example of the improvements Flora is making under their new coaching staff. 

            Since Christmas, Dreher, AC Flora, Darlington and Camden have all been busy wrestling in tournaments.  Dreher wrestled in the Airport Eagle Classic the Saturday after Christmas against 4A schools White Knoll and Airport as well as 2A state title contender Hanahan.  Michael Whaley (103) finished 1st for the Blue Devils and Ray Rembert finished 2nd for the second straight weekend.   Also, Darlington finished 8th and Camden 9th at the Chesterfield Ram Rumble.  These two schools wrestled topnotch competition as Chesterfield edged Eastside to win the team title.  Darlington’s 152 wrestler Dove finished second and Camden’s Bracey won gold at 171.  Dreher finished 12th and AC Flora 13th at the Beaufort Low Country Invitational.  These two schools both wrestled well against a 4A wrestling field that included Fort Mill, Hilton Head, and Spring Valley. 

            This weekend Dreher will host the annual Blue Devil Invitational.  This tournament will feature 24 teams including lower state schools: AC Flora, Brookland-Cayce, Dreher, and North Myrtle Beach.  Also wrestling will be Defending 2A State Champion Swansea and 4A State title contenders Hilton Head, Spring Valley, and Battery Creek.  Last year, Woodward Academy of Georgia edged Hilton Head for the team title. 

 

TOP WRESTLERS OF DECEMBER

Rorey Garnett               Brookland-Cayce            160lbs              1st at Irmo Palmetto Classic

Theo Meryanos            Carolina Forest            152lbs              1st at Chiefs Classic

Brockington                  Lake City                  160                  1st at Chiefs Classic

Bracey                         Camden                      171                  Finalist at Lugoff and Ram

Taylor Duren                AC FLORA                       160                  Finalist at Lugoff

Josh Calder                  Carolina Forest             119lbs              2nd at Chiefs Classic

Michael Hood             Dreher                          160lbs             2nd at Irmo Palmetto Classic

Ray Rembert                Dreher                          145lbs              2nd at Lugoff and Airport

Michael Whaley             Dreher             103lbs              2nd at Airport Eagle Classic

Dove                            Darlington                    152                  2nd at Ram Rumble

Randy Matthews             Carolina Forest             103                  3rd at Chiefs Classic

Andrew Hinson             Carolina Forest            112                  3rd at Chiefs Classic