It has only been done one other time in school history with boys’ tennis in the 1990s, but the Fort Mill High School wrestling team is eyeing a fourth consecutive dual state championship.
The Jackets open their 2025-2026 season after three consecutive state titles against several teams in the Venom Duals at Catawba Ridge High School on Saturday, Nov. 22. Fort Mill enters the season ranked No. 1 in 5A Division II with the Eastside Eagles being ranked second and Indian Land Warriors being ranked third.
Fort Mill head wrestling coach Adam Marullo said a fourth state title isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but isn’t trying to look that far ahead. Fort Mill finished the season 19-0 last year.
“We graduated nine guys last year,” Marullo said. “We have a bunch of guys coming back that were also contributing last year. I am expecting big things out of this group. We still have a lot of work to do. I think this group has the most potential maybe that has ever came through this school. But potential doesn’t mean anything if you aren’t living up to it.
“A fourth (title) is feasible, but we have a lot of work to do,” he added. “There are teams out there that would love to knock us off. The goal going into the season is a fourth state championship.”
Returning for the Jackets are several key wrestlers like Lincoln Greene, who could set the school’s all-time wins mark this season if he stays healthy. Fort Mill has eight returning state qualifiers from last season including Greene.
“He is one of our team captains,” Marullo said. “Ted Ernst and Luke Van Beynum are team captains also. We expect big things out of those guys. We got other guys knocking at the door as well.”
When it comes to Region 3-5A, Fort Mill’s biggest competition will most likely come from Indian Land, who they beat twice last year – once during the regular season and once in the playoffs.
“They are going to be tough,” Marullo said. “Clover is solid, Catawba Ridge is solid. Our region, top to bottom is solid. All the teams our tough. I would put our region against anyone in the state.”
Marullo said that he isn’t sure what the landscape looks like across the state, but knows that Eastside again will be tough come playoffs.
Besides the Venom Duals, Fort Mill will head to the Southern Slam at Eastside on Dec. 5-6 and will host the Kinglsey Marine Classic on Dec. 12-13. Their first home match will be a tri-match on Dec. 16.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
