"We're just getting started"”

Gilbert head wrestling coach Mitch Hudson

The dreams of a 1st ever state title in wrestling were crushed for the 2nd straight year for Gilbert by the same opponent.
Top-ranked Indian Land defeated the Indians 59-6 Saturday at Dreher High School in the Class 3-A final. In repeating as state champion, the Warriors (30-2) won 12 of the 14 matches and 7 by pinfall.
The lone wins by Gilbert (27-10) were recorded by Brennon Crout (120 lbs. - decision) and Kyle Decker (195 lbs. - pinfall). It marked the 3rd consecutive year a Lexington County team had fallen in the Class 3A final - Swansea in 2018 and Gilbert in 2019 and 2020.
"We were outmatched today," Indians' head coach Mitch Hudson said. "Indian Land's got a really good team. We will learn from this. We'll grow from it. We'll start getting ready for individuals next week. 
"We've got some growing up to do. We've got some young guys in our lineup and we can go to the Lower State and be real competitive and look to be...in the mix down there, but the reality is you've got to be as good as the Upstate and that's where we're behind a little bit. We've got to get back to work."
With 6 rising juniors and gaining in more mat experience, Hudson believes the program "is just getting started" in terms of competing for state titles.
"In my mind, for us to be here is a big thing," Hudson said. "The goal is obviously to come back. There's a lot of steps you take, but the 1st one we've got to take is the goal is we've got to come back here.