With team state championships already decided on the mat, the focus on wrestling across the state shifts to individuals and their pursuit of titles. Area grapplers will attempt to seize glory Feb. 23-24 inside the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center.
Included in the local contingent is Cane Bay senior J.J. Peace, chasing history as he tries to win a state title for the fourth year in a row. Only 26 before Peace, according to records kept on SCMAT.com, have accomplished the feat in South Carolina going back to 1978.
In 2023, Peace became the first three-time state champion from the Berkeley County School District since Hanahan’s Dennis Flores (2011-13). Hanahan’s Joey Rumble (1986-88) was the only other three-time champion from the district.
Peace was one of four state champions from the school district in 2023 as it furthered a winning tradition on the state’s grandest stage. Stratford’s Noah Nichols (Class 5A) and Timberland’s Alex Rush (Class 2A-A) are also back this winter to see if they can reach the top of the awards podium again.
A month after claiming his third state title with two pins and a technical fall as a junior 120-pounder, Peace reeled in a national title at 113 pounds in the National High School Coaches Association’s Junior Nationals in Virginia Beach.
“He’s got a great attitude,” said Cane Bay coach Aaron Hynick following the 2023 state championship. “His love for the sport is what drives him. I would say close to 99% of guys who have done what he’s done at the state tournament will take some time off, rest a little and maybe feel good about yourself for a while. He was back practicing Monday or Tuesday. He keeps a good balance in life, but when it’s time to go, he’s all in.”
Charleston-area wrestlers have to advance through Lower State qualifying Feb. 16-17 (after press time) to become one of eight total at each weight class – the Upper State also has four qualifiers – who will vie for state crowns.
The school district has produced at least one state champion six years in a row and 12 of the previous 13 seasons.
In 2022, Peace (Class 5A, 113), Hanahan’s Sloan Casteel (Class 3A, 170) and Philip Simmons’ A.J. McLanahan (Class 2A-A, 132) rose to the top of the podium.
In 2021, Peace (106, Class 5A), Timberland’s Ethan Dawson (138, Class 2A-A) and Hanahan’s Josh Shaw (182, Class 3A) won state titles.
In 2020, Timberland’s Roman Wadford captured the state crown at 145 pounds in Class 2A-A.
In 2019, the district produced a pair of state champions. Stratford’s Preston Soriano was the Class 5A champion at 126 pounds, while Goose Creek’s Israel Schultz won the 5A title at 120 pounds.
In 2018, a couple of district wrestlers reached the top of the podium. Cane Bay’s Jacob D’Ambrosio (Class 5A, 132) and Timberland’s Cooper Youngblood (Class 3A, 182) won state championships.
In 2017, the district was shut out at state, failing to produce a state champion for the first time since 2010. Five grapplers advanced to finals that year, but three of those championship matches were decided by one point and another by three points.
In 2016, Goose Creek twins Christian Rubin and Caleb Rubin won the 182-pound and 220-pound weight classes in Class 4A.
In 2015, Cane Bay’s Matt Rudy (195) and Stratford’s T.J. Deveaux (182) won 4A crowns, repeating as champions from 2014. Berkeley’s Bryan Jackson (120) and Dominick Gadsden (138) were 3A champions. Another state champion in 2014 was Hanahan’s Haven Horlback (138) in Class 3A.
