One streak was going to end, but which one was anyone’s guess.
In the end it came down to the last weight class as the Upper State championship came down to criteria with Fort Mill winning 34-33 over the Eastside Eagles. Fort Mill won based on more pins – 4-0 – over Eastside.
Fort Mill, ranked No. 1 in the state in Division II, came into the Upper State dual championship Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 17-0 and as two-time defending 5A state champions. Eastside came in ranked No. 2 and at 34-0 on the season, winners of nine consecutive state championships, in the 4A level.
“We have been preaching it all year,” said Fort Mill head coach Adam Marullo. “They fought hard. Every single point matters. They did what we needed them to do. They stepped up when we needed them too. They are awesome kids and they work their tails off.
“Eastside is an amazing program. They have nine straight state championships, but tonight we were the better team. Our goal is not to beat Eastside. Our goal is to win a state championship.”
Fort Mill will wrestle for a third consecutive 5A state championship at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Dreher High School against Lugoff-Elgin.
The draw started at 113-pounds with a Luke Van Beynum getting a fast start as he picked up a first period pin to put the Jackets up 6-0.
Eastside popped back getting a 17-0 tech fall at 120-pounds pulling within one. The Eagles got an 11-8 win at 126-pounds by Owen Salvato to take an 8-6 lead. Kellen Smouse kept things going with a 17-1 tech fall for Eastside at 132-pounds and Sam Wyland (138) then got an 18-2 tech fall to put them up 18-6.
The Jackets tried weathering the storm without giving up bonus points, but the Eagles technical skills were hard to contain. Fort Mill was able to stay off their backs and not get pinned, which helped in the long run.
Fort Mill was able to close the gap with a first period pin by Lincoln Greene (144).
Eastside came back with another tech fall at 20-5 by Hank Lee at 150, putting Fort Mill down 23-12.
The Jackets rallied again with a first period pin by Keenan Coston (157), but George Maholtz picked up a 15-0 tech fall at 165-pounds for Eastside to make it 28-18.
Eastside continued to pick up bonus points with a 17-2 win by Bronek Snizaski at 175-pounds as the Eagles went up 33-18, but that is when the Jackets’ final rally started in full.
Fort Mill picked up a much-needed pin by Maurice Lawrence at 190-pounds in the second period making it 33-24 and putting the Jackets within striking distance. Ted Ernst (215) got a 7-6 overtime win for Fort Mill putting the Jackets within six points with two weight classes to go.
Heavyweight Jonathan DaSilva picked up a 4-0 decision pulling the Jackets to within three and making the dual come down to the last weight class. In that final weight class, Brody Harris (106) won 11-9 to tie the match at 33 forcing it to go to criteria.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
