3-PEAT IN LOWER STATE - Gilbert defeats Hanahan to reach Class 3A wrestling final

Class 3A state final set for 1 pm at Dreher High School

THOMAS GRANT JR.
chroniclesports@yahoo.com
Posted 2/17/21

For the 3rd straight year, Gilbert High School is the champion of Class 3A Lower State wrestling.

The Indians travelled to Hanahan and came away with the 44-33 victory to advance to Saturday’s …

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3-PEAT IN LOWER STATE - Gilbert defeats Hanahan to reach Class 3A wrestling final

Class 3A state final set for 1 pm at Dreher High School

Posted

For the 3rd straight year, Gilbert High School is the champion of Class 3A Lower State wrestling.

The Indians travelled to Hanahan and came away with the 44-33 victory to advance to Saturday’s state final. They will face Upper State champion Belton-Honea Path at Dreher High School at 1 pm Saturday for the chance at claiming the program’s 1st ever title.

A pinfall win by Jackson Caulder gave Gilbert an early 6-0 advantage. Wins by Grayson Dowden and Kyle Decker pushed the lead to 17-9 before the Hawks rallied with back-to-back pinfall wins at 220 and 285 pounds to go ahead 21-17.

PInfalls by Elijah Mayers and Jayden Jenkins and an overtime win by Blake Wise gave the Indians a 32-21 lead. Victories by Jonathan Brentlinger and Landon Bastian helped seal the victory. 

“This has been a special group that has learned how to be leaders for themselves after graduating some of the guys we had last year we had a void to fill,” Gilbert head coach Mitch Hudson said. “These guys stepped up and became the leaders we needed in the wrestling room and on the mat.”

Awaiting Gilbert are the Bears, a 46-24 victory over West Oak in the Upper State final. This is Belton-Honea Path’s 7th state title appearance and 1st since 2012 when it defeated Chapin 35-30 in Class 3A for the school’s 4th championship. 

“BHP will be tough,” They have some young kids that are very talented and they have some experienced leaders on this team that were ready for the opportunity to be where they are. Coach (Chris) Strickland does a great job and has been there for a long time and will have those guys ready to go.”

River Bluff, Pelion fall 

Both River Bluff and Pelion were also on the road for its respective Lower State finals. 

The Gators were seeking their 3rd state title appearance in 4 years, but fell 34-24 to Summerville in Class 5A. 

Over in Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Pelion looked to upend the defending Class 2A champions for the 2nd time this season. The Panthers fell short in their quest to reach their 1st ever final, losing 44-27.

Gilbert wrestling

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