FORT MILL – Two local wrestling coaches quietly reached milestone wins in their career last month and neither of them realized it.
Fort Mill’s Chris Brock reached his 400th career dual win, a 46-30 win over Pigeon Forge (TN) while the Jackets were in Tennessee Jan. 10 and 11. The Jackets are 19-5 on the season and are currently ranked fifth in the state in 5A.
Brock said he wasn’t aware of the milestone had it not been for assistant coach Ed Doran, who keeps up with team stats like wrestlers’ individual wins and losses. Brock is in his 20th season at Fort Mill and in his 30th year in education, having served as an assistant coach at Rock Hill High for a decade before coming to Fort Mill in 2000.
He didn’t take much credit for the amount of wins he has achieved over the years.
“I haven’t wrestled a match in 30 years,” he said. “The guys do that. I just play a part. I have been fortunate for the support from the district and the administration here.”
Brock also gave a lot of credit to his assistant coaches, who have been with him for most of the time at Fort Mill. Doran has been with Brock for 17 season and Adam Marullo has been with him for 15 years. Another long-time assistant for Brock is Robby Miskelly, who Brock also coached while at Fort Mill.
“There is something to be said about that,” he said. “It certainly is a milestone. I am appreciative to be able to stay in it this long.”
However, there is one thing Brock said he would trade for all those wins.
“I would trade it all in for that state title,” he said. “Some good things have happened here because of the program. I have been fortunate to have had kids that are driven.”
Brock will continue his journey for that elusive state title as Fort Mill opens the state playoffs Feb. 8 at home.
Indian Land’s Leon Boulware also recently reached a big win – No. 200 for his career in a 42-22 win over Chapin at the US Military Duals Jan. 17. Boulware, who is in his fourth year at Indian Land, came to the Lancaster County school from Nation Ford and before that coached at Lancaster as well.
Like Brock, Boulware didn’t realize he won his 200th dual until he got home that night.
“My wife told me,” he said. “It is another coaching accomplishment, but at the end of the day, credit goes to the kids. When I got into coaching, I didn’t think about winning a certain amount. My first goal was just to try and win and try to be the best in the state.”
Boulware has Indian Land at No. 1 in 3A again this year with a 25-2 record and will be going for their second consecutive state title this season. The Warriors’ wrestling state championship last year was the first one for a boys’ sport in the history of Indian Land High.
“I feel really good,” Boulware said. “Things started to come together after the duals at Chapin. We feel strong we can bring home another state title.”
Mac Banks: mbanks@comporium.net, @MacBanksFM
