The fourth ranked Fort Mill wrestling team continued its one-sided rivalry against Nation Ford winning 52-24 to claim the Region 3-5A title Thursday night.
Fort Mill, who has never lost at the varsity level in a dual against Nation Ford, improved to 21-1 on the season with the win and finished with a 5-0 region record. Nation Ford fell to 13-12 overall on the season and finished their region season at 2-3.
Nation Ford had four forfeits in the match giving up 24 points through those forfeits. The two teams actually split the 10 matches they wrestled with each school winning five.
“I will take the win and the region title,” said Fort Mill head coach Chris Brock. “That was one of our goals this season. We had some performances tonight that hurt us, that we need to work on.”
Fort Mill went up 24-0 to start the dual as Lincoln Green got a first period pin at 106-pounds, follow by Jacob Nally (113) who also got a first period pin. Tucker Gibson (120) and Aidan Eubanks (126) for Fort Mill won by forfeit.
Nation Ford grabbed their first win as Mitchell Ladamus won a close 10-7 decision at 132-pounds as the teams would trade wins over the next five matches. Gavin Mitcheson (138) and Noah Kitchton (152) won for Fort Mill, while Dalton Curtsinger (145), Ross Esparcia (160) and Isaac Nieves (170) would win for Nation Ford to put the score at 36-18 in favor of the Jackets.
Both teams would again split the remaining two matches with Sebastian Villatoro (182) winning for Fort Mill with a 10-2 major and Alan Minarro (195) getting a first period pin for Nation Ford.
Fort Mill’s Henry Debbout (220) and Grayson Sykes (hwt.) would pick up forfeit wins for the Jackets to close out the match.
Despite the loss, Nation Ford head coach Bret Peltier said he was proud of the guys he sent out there knowing he was going to have to forfeit several weight classes.
“The kids competed,” he said. “We won half the matches. I am not upset with the effort.”
Fort Mill’s dual season is finished for now as they will host the Region 3-5A tournament Saturday, Jan. 28. Nation Ford has one more dual match scheduled at Providence Day Jan. 24.
The 5A state playoffs start Feb. 4. Fort Mill will host the first two rounds, while Nation Ford, which should finish fourth in the region, would be on the road.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
