Chapin’s Preston White has dominated on the wrestling mat since bursting on the scene two years ago.

The junior is a two-time state champion and one of the best wrestlers in South Carolina. He is currently ranked No. 1 in all of 5A for the 126-pound classification and eyeing a third consecutive state title.

White spends countless hours a week honing his craft. Outside of his work with the Chapin team, White works out on his own and with private personal trainers.

All of this work is done to help him achieve his ultimate goal of wrestling in college and becoming an All-American. Pushed by his faith and desire to improve, White is already on the right track to make those dreams come true.

“I enjoy the drive. I’m all about set your high goals, and then you try and achieve them,” he said. “ I feel like God gave me a gift and I’m using it.”

Starting young

White started wrestling at a young age. He first competed on the mat at six years old as a member of a local youth program.

White’s father was a big influence in getting started. He was a coach at Dutch Fork during that time. When his son started wrestling, he transitioned to become the leader of the youth program and coached White during those key early years.

Years later, despite not being his coach anymore, White’s father has always been supportive.

“ He’s always told me that no matter what if I ever want to quit the sport, he’ll support that decision, but he will give me the opportunities to do whatever I want to do,” White said. “If I want to be a national All-American, then he will present those opportunities to me and make it happen.”

As time passed, White’s talent became evident. He started working harder to get better and turn into the dominant athlete. He began training on the regular and started working with personal instructors.

When he reached the middle school ranks, White was clearly an up-and-comer to keep an eye on. During his final season before high school varsity, he went undefeated and won the 106-pound middle school state title after pinning every opponent.

Committed to the craft

Since arriving on the varsity scene, White has already become one of the most successful wrestlers in Chapin’s history. From winning two state titles to going wire-to-wire ranked No. 1 this season, White is reaching new heights.

While the success has been enjoyable, he acknowledged none of it would’ve happened without his commitment and the support from those around him.

White works with a few different private coaches and trainers. He has very few off days and makes regular commutes to North Carolina for even more training.

“I’m going to workouts at normally 9 a.m. I have a personal trainer. I go see him, get a lift. I come back. I do some school work, and then, if I’m close on weight, I’ll get on my bike, get in the sauna, and then I’ll head to Dark Horse in North Carolina,” he said. “My coaches there have helped me a lot.  They have been with me since I was young.”

Dark Horse, a training facility, had a huge effect on White’s development as a wrestler. But the constant trips to North Carolina meant he had less time to do other things outside of wrestling.

To White though, the sacrifice was worth it. But he was not the only one who made sacrifices during his pursuit of excellence.

His family sacrifices a lot of free time to support him during his journey. His parents took the time to drive him to and from Dark Horse, often multiple times a week, and never complained.

“ Even though they have work, they always drive me, they always make time,” White said. “ Also my sister, she’s been a big support. She’s always there at my matches. She missed out on her friends. They’ve hung out and she missed out on that. Or church events, she missed out on those.”

Even the Chapin team has sacrificed by allowing him to take off team practice to go to Dark Horse.

“Though it wouldn’t benefit my team, it would benefit myself, that was really something that I thought was special to me,” White said. “A lot of coaches won’t let people do that.”

The constant sacrifice can be hard at times. He said the biggest obstacle in his career has been overcoming that feeling of wanting to quit. But with a serious focus on his goals, he always overcomes that battle.

“ I just want to have that time, hanging out with my friends. I miss a bunch of stuff. I miss prom sometimes. I miss all the fun stuff my friends are doing,” White said. “My family really steps up and they’re like, ‘What do you want? What are your future goals?’”

Balancing act

When White does get some free time, he does things most normal kids do. He hangs out with his friends and girlfriend, plays video games, naps and does homework.

He also spends time at church, participating in youth group and church activities.

White goes to Wednesday youth meetings if his wrestling schedule permits. Even if not, he is always there Sunday mornings to practice his faith.

“ My faith is my biggest number one,” he said. “God first, and everything follows.”

White has gone on mission trips with the church. He recently went on a trip to Nicaragua and spent time with some young kids there, playing games and performing plays.

Theater is actually a big part of his church experience. His church has a drama group that does skits on topics and stories related to the Bible.

“ I really like it because it’s like I’m out there doing something for God and telling his story,” White said. “Someone may be able to relate to that. So, that’s something that I’m pretty big into.”

White’s faith is with him during every match. Tattooed across his left arm reads “God first.”

Outside of church, he also finds some time away from wrestling during school. White is actually a homeschooled student.

Not being in a traditional setting, White has had more free time to do other things while still being a successful student and wrestler.

“ I don’t have to be there from like seven to four,” White said. “I only do a couple of classes. I can pick my classes. I’m actually doing some dual enrollment through Midlands Tech College, so I can already get those classes done.”

It has also made White’s wrestling schedule easier to manage.

 ”Say I have a tournament coming up, like Friday, I can leave Thursday if I’m flying to like New York or Pennsylvania,” he said. “I don’t have to miss days and all that. I’d say that benefits me a lot.”

Future focus

White is only a junior, which means he still has another year to improve and add accolades. Everything he has accomplished so far has meant so much, but he wants more.

“ Winning states is definitely a pretty big thing. Not many people have done that,” he said. “But it’s even bigger than that. Like going to national tournaments, sometimes not even placing. Just going to Fargo and trying to represent South Carolina, trying my hardest. And then at NHSCA. I’m hoping this summer, I can place.”

White can win his third individual state title this season. Chapin is currently advancing through the 5A Division II team tournament with a match on Wednesday against Lugoff-Elgin after the Chronicle’s press deadline. The winner advances to Saturday’s dual championship at Dreher High School.

The individual qualifiers will be soon after that, taking place on Feb. 14 and 15.

White has lofty goals for this postseason and wants to prove without a doubt he is the best wrestler in his class. Next year for his senior season, he wants to earn a college scholarship and dominate high-level competition.

“ I want to be undefeated, this year I’ve been undefeated so far,” White said. “ At the state tournament, zero points scored, probably tech everybody, set those goals …  look for the hard opponents, the tough, high ranking guys, even if I have to go up a weight class or down to find them.”