CLOVER – Fort Mill High School got the best of Clover in a battle of two top five teams in the state.
The dual was probably one of Fort Mill’s toughest of the season as Clover came in ranked third in 5A Division 1. The Jackets are ranked No. 1 in 5A Division 2, but took a commanding lead early for a 44-15 win. Fort Mill also beat Indian Land earlier in the evening 58-14.
The wins by the Jackets put them at 24-0 on the season and 4-0 in Region 3-5A. Head coach Adam Marullo said it was the best match the team had wrestled all season.
“They wrestled awesome,” Marullo said. “Finally, we are breaking through. This is what they are capable of. That was the most complete match we have had all season.”
The match started at 120-pounds with Luke Van Beynum getting an 8-5 win to put the Jackets up 3-0 early.
Grayson Wallen grabbed a 5-0 win at 126-pounds for Fort Mill and Cole Wartinger (132) picked up the first pin of the match in the second period.
Cooper Van Beynum (138) kept things going for Fort Mill as he got an 18-3 tech fall, while Clover won their first match at 144-pounds to get on the board.
Fort Mill bounced back with a 17-0 major by Lincoln Greene (150) to take a 22-3 lead.
Clover picked up another win at 157-pounds, but the Jackets wouldn’t let the Blue Eagles get any momentum.
Broden Mitchenson (165) held on for a 4-3 win to widen the lead for the Jackets and Mason Metcalf (175) picked up a 13-6 decision afterwards.
Clover didn’t go quietly as they picked up a decision at 190-pounds, but Ted Ernst (215) rallied Fort Mill with a first period pin.
Krystian Villatoro (hwt.) also picked up a first period pin for the Jackets putting the match out of reach for Clover. Peter Escudero (106) got an 11-1 major to close out the winning for the Jackets.
The Jackets will head to Virginia this weekend for an individual tournament.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
