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Hartsville wrestling making a comeback under Lynch

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Hartsville – In two years, Michael Lynch has turned the Hartsville High wrestling program completely around and big things could be in store for the Red Foxes down the road.

Lynch, who wrestled at Hartsville and graduated in 1993, returned to the program as the head coach last season. He inherited a total of four, yes four, wrestlers when he started last season.

Now, the program has grown to 84 wrestlers, including those at the middle school and junior varsity level. And, there will likely be more than 100 kids in the program by the start of next year.

“When I came back as the head coach my number one priority was to increase the level of interest at the lower levels and get as many kids involved in the sport as I could,” said Lynch, who wrestled at Gardner-Webb and spent some time as an assistant. “We started a summer camp last summer and had great response. We are getting the young kids involved and by the time they reach the varsity level, it is our hope that they have three or four years of experience under their belts.”

Hartsville posted a 31-5 dual match record this season and captured the region 6-AAA title for the second straight year. The program had won only eight region titles since its inception in 1971.

Lynch had four seniors in the starting lineup this season, thus has most of the team returning. Several of the starters were freshmen and with the quality junior varsity program producing more talent, the sky is the limit for the program.

“We have high goals in terms of the program,” said Lynch. “It might take a few years to see it all come together but we are hoping to become an elite program. With 32 kids on the middle school level and another 50 or so with the jayvee and varsity, we have the potential.”

Hartsville’s four starting seniors this season at Stanton Tucker (152), Josh Blackmon (182), Eddie Stuckey (215) and Logan Fishburne (126).

Junior starters include Devan Roberts (138), Ricky Holloman (195), Kenneth Powell  (120), Keean Benjamin (132), Dominick Robinson (160) and Michale Stuckey (171).

Rounding out the lineup are freshmen Brooks Haley (106), Brian Quick (113), Anthony Nycum (145) and Dakota Goff (285).

“We have not had a kid qualify for the state tournament in a long time so we’re hopeful we can change that this year,” said Lynch. “I think we have a shot with a few kids so we’ll see how it turns out.”

Three members of the program did qualify for the junior varsity state tournament, including Nycum, Gage Chavous and Javious Lyghty.

 

 

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On the season, linebacker Greg Thompson Jr. leads the way with 71 total tackles, followed by Foxx (65), Venson (57), defensive back Adam Peterson (43), Scarborough (40), Cole (35) and Clair (32).

 

Thompson, Jr. making impact in middle of Red Foxes defense

By Rob Gantt
Special writer
Hartsville -  Last fall, Hartsville's Greg Thompson, Jr. was not the marquee performer he's turned into.
    His transformation is one of the top stories of the Red Foxes' season.
A move from the defensive front to middle linebacker has been a successful one for the senior.
    "When he was playing defensive line, for some reason he didn't process the calls fast enough," Hartsville coach Jeff Calabrese said. "Maybe he was overthinking it. When he's playing linebacker, it's all about reaction. That's been the thing for him. We tell them what to look for and he sees it and can do it."
    Thompson leads the Red Foxes in tackles with 67 total stops this season. In a 21-17 win over Spring Valley Friday, Thompson led the way with 16 stops.
    "He's having a fantastic season," Calabrese said. "I think he's showing he could play in college if he wanted to."
    Thompson's work ethic and dedication to learning the position has helped him morph into the player he has.
    "Greg is a student of the game," Calabrese said. "He's applying that knowledge on the field. He's trying to learn as much as he can about playing middle linebacker. And he's a very good athlete too. He's able to slip off blocks and make plays."
    Thompson also makes good grades in school, Calabrese said
    Fellow linebacker DeShane Foxx is second on the team this season with 59 tackles.  He had eight stops against Spring Valley.
    Defensive back Victor Venson  has 49 tackles. He had 11 against Spring Valley.
Offensively, Dre Scott has been the spark plug on the ground. Against Spring Valley, Scott tied the school record with 265 yards and 20 carries. He also scored twice.
On the year, he's got 691 yards and six touchdowns.
    The Red Foxes are off this week and will take on Carolina Forest Oct. 9.