Beaufort grapplers enjoy successful campaign in 2011-12
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Beaufort – Competing in the same region as two of the state’s AAAA powerhouses, Fort Dorchester and Summerville, the Beaufort High wrestling program is faring quite well.
Beaufort recently hosted the region 8-AAAA individual championship tournament and coach Bill Damude’s squad walked away with five region champions in the 14 weight classes.
“We had a good night and some kids really wrestled well,” said Damude. “I’m really proud of the way all of our guys competed. There was some good wrestling all around and it was a lot of fun to be a part of.”
Junior Forrest Kimbrell was the region champion at 145 pounds and junior Trey Arant won the title at 160 pounds.
Senior Thyrik Legree was the champion at 182 pounds and junior Clint Wright was the top dog in the 195-pound weight class.
Senior Maliek Maldonado won the championship at 220 pounds. Maldonado recently became the winningest wrestler in Beaufort High’s history.
Beaufort also produced and second-place finisher with junior Tyler Wilson taking second in the heavyweight division.
Taking home third-place finishes were sophomore Jake Sharp (106), senior Clayton Wynn (152) and junior Jaclay Mixon (170).
Other starters in the lineup this season included junior Tommy Collins (113), junior Mike Pirozzi (120), freshman William Valetin (126), junior David Derepentigny (132) and junior Brandon Jenkins (138).
During the dual match season, Beaufort finished third in region eight, losing to Fort Dorchester and Summerville and recording wins over Ashley Ridge and Colleton County. The Eagles posted a dual match record overall this season of 28-8.
Damude, who has been a part of the program for more than 20 years, says next year’s team could be even better with the number of underclassmen that play key roles this season.
“We had good balance on this team with a lot of juniors who came into the year with experience and gained even more this year,” said the coach. “We had three seniors that started full-time and next year we could have eight or nine seniors. You can win with seniors.”
Damude is working hard to build the Beaufort program into one that can annually contend for the AAAA duals championship. He feels things are on the right track.
“I feel good about the progress we are making as a program but obviously we have a long ways to go,” said the coach. “The numbers in the middle school and junior varsity programs are good. Overall the program is pretty solid. AAAA is a tough division and depth is so important. That’s what we’re working on.”
