By Neill Kirkpatrick
Special to the HSSR
St. Stephens – Over the past three season Timberland has established themselves as one of the top-class AA wrestling programs in the lower state finishing with a lower state title and a lower state runner-up finish in that time while Head Coach Ryan Rhodes has had to tweak and reload his roster each year.
“I really didn't know what to expect with only one returning state qualifier and a lot of first and second-year wrestlers,” coach Rhodes said. “We were a work in progress as a team for most of the year, as half of our starters were inexperienced and our schedule this season was rigorous, as we wrestled a lot of 5A and 3A/4A schools.”
Coach continued, “Overall I am incredibly happy with the season. The guys understood it would take a lot of work and sacrifice if we were to have a successful season.”
The Wolves entered the state dual tournament as the number four seed. After a bye in round one they beat Cheraw 58-24 and then dominated the top seed North Central 51-18 to advance to the lower state finals. Unfortunately, they in the lower state finals to Buford 39-30.
Leading the way for the Wolves was senior Alex Rush at 120. He won his second consecutive state title in dominating fashion posting the fastest pin (19 secs) and winning the championship match 14-1. Along the way he set a school record for most wins in a season with fifty-one and career wins with fourteen.
Senior Gavin Lewis (126) had a solid year and won a match at the state individual meet while fellow Senior Robert Brown Jr. placed fourth at state individual meet in a very tough 138-pound weight class
Seniors Robert Munn (144), Nicholas Shurlknight (152), and Caden Hawkins (157) also were starters and provided leadership all year while senior Steven Prioleau (175) was a big surprise as a first-year wrestler. Hawkins was a state qualifier.
Coach Rhodes has solid group returning in juniors Avery Thames (132) and Nickolas Musgrave (215), and Aiden Shelley (113), Nicholas Ireland (165), Aiden Berrios (175) and Jerek Brixey (Heavyweight). All were experienced coming into the year except Shelley who was in his first year. Musgrave was a state qualifier.
Other first year wrestlers are freshmen Avery Thames (106), Antaun Faison (150), Micah McHoney and Anthony Peeples (165), sophomore Owen Berrios (132/138) and eighth graders Lloyd Bone (135) and Michael Middleton (190).
The Wolves had four female wrestlers this year Samantha Williams (106), Brooke Brown (113), Riley Morris (113), and Zyona Bartley (165). Coach is roaming the halls looking for more girls so they can have their own team.
“I was happy with the season and am looking forward to the challenge of building a team with a new roster for next season. I have a good group returning, so hopefully we can surprise a lot of people next year too,” the coach said.
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