Sumter wrestling team rolls to easy wins in 3 matches

Posted

The opportunities to wrestle were not as plentiful for members of the Sumter High School wrestling team as they would have liked on Tuesday in a 4-team event at the SHS gymnasium.

The teams from C.A. Johnson, Lower Richland and Marion didn't have the numbers to fill all of the weight classes, resulting in a number of forfeits. When the Gamecocks did get on the mat though, they did pretty well.

Sumter displayed an ability to wrestle for extra points and pins, losing only four matches as they rolled to easy wins in each event to improve to 16-6 in dual matches.

"I think we're still young and improving," said SHS head coach Brian Wilson. "At times we looked good, at times bad, but that's a sign of a young team."

Sumter defeated Marion 69-10, Lower Richland 73-6 and C.A. Johnson 66-18.

Sumter's roster features 12 wrestlers who are either freshmen or sophomores.

"(Our program) is coming along," Wilson said. "It's not where I want it, but we're getting there."

The Gamecocks opened up against the Swamp Foxes of Marion. Sumter heavyweight Skyler Brown began the match with a quick pin he set up from a head-and-arm takedown to give the Gamecocks a quick 6-0 lead.

Marion forfeited both the 106- and 113-pound weight classes, giving the Gamecocks an 18-0 lead. The Swamp Foxes bounced back in the next two classes, however, earning a pin at 120 and a major decision at 126, to cut the lead to 18-10. The Gamecocks took over from there, pinning the Swamp Foxes in eight of the remaining nine weight classes.

Sumter faced off against Lower Richland in its second match. Jacob McDonald set the pace early, earning a major decision victory by a score of 12-3 at 106 to give the Gamecocks a 4-0 lead. Lower Richland forfeited at 113 and earned a pin fall at 120 to cut Sumter's lead down to 10-6. Lower Richland was, however, extremely short-handed and ended up forfeiting nine of the 14 weight classes.

Against C.A. Johnson, the score was tied 12-12 after four classes. Sumter, however, picked up pin falls in seven of the final 10 matches to win going away.

The Gamecocks now begin to focus on the Region IV-5A duals scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1, at Lugoff-Elgin High School.

"The plan now is to go even harder," Wilson said. "Focus individually on what individual guys need to learn and work on."

Wilson is still wanting to increase the numbers in the program as his current group gains experience. Wilson is focused on recruiting and developing wrestlers at the middle school level.

"The plan this summer is to hit the road," Wilson said. "We're going to go to at least three team camps this summer.

"The next goal is to attack the middle school program. The goal is to get to the middle schools and get as many members as I can, so we can develop a program and not just a team."

SUMTER 66, C.A. JOHNSON 18

106 - Jacob McDonald (S) won by forfeit.

113 -- Jamarri Jefferson (S) won by forfeit.

120 - Nevaeha Mudgett (S) won by forfeit.

126 -- Travon Riley (CAJ) pinned Nicholas Jefferson.

132 -- Dejayline Jacobs (CAJ) won by forfeit.

138 - Jakarriez Sanders (S) pinned Leroy McKenzie.

145 - Miguel Bullock (S) pinned Tavian Mitchell.

152 - Christopher Ramirez (S) won by forfeit.

160 - Derrick McKnight (S) pinned Dedrick Belton.

170-- Zy`nique Easterling (S) pinned Dalante Belton.

182 - Anthony Price (S) pinned Nigel Leake.

195 - Joseph Luzzi (S) won by forfeit.

220 - Davin Jackson (S) pinned Kendell Shaw.

285 -- Ja`quarius Shaw (CAJ) pinned Keion Brown.

SUMTER 73, LOWER RICHLAND 6

106 - McDonald (S) won by major decision.

113 - Jefferson (S) won by forfeit.

120 -- Javien Bryant (LR) pinned Mudgett.

126 - Jefferson (S) won by forfeit.

132 - Sanders (S) won by forfeit.

138 - Ethan Craig (S) won by forfeit.

145 - Bullock (S) won by forfeit.

152 - Ramirez (S) won by pin.

160 - McKnight (S) decisioned Dwayne Dove 12-4.

170 - Easterling (S) major decisioned Shawn Davis 15-2.

182 - Price (S) won by forfeit.

195 - Luzzi (S) won by forfeit.

220 - Tajon Roach (S) won by pin.

285 - Jackson (S) pinned Ja`shaun Woodruff.

SUMTER 69, MARION 10

106 -McDonald (S) won by forfeit.

113 -- Jefferson (S) won by forfeit.

120 -- Kenneth Hughes (M) pinned Mudgett.

126 -- Ja`Marion Legette (M) major decisioned Jefferson 14-4.

132 - Sanders (S) pinned Marquese Foxworth.

138 - Craig (S) decisioned Mishon Gause 7-2.

145 - Bullock (S) pinned Antwan Woods.

152 - Ramirez (S) pinned Bakari Swinney.

160 - McKnight (S) pinned Javori Wright.

170 - Easterling (S) pinned Desmond Legette-Hickson.

182 - Price (S) won by forfeit.

195 - Luzzi (S) pinned Doni McFadden.

220 - Roach (S) pinned Dareon Page.

285 - Skyler Brown (S) pinned Kendrick Jones.