Bearcats march past Trojans to advance

By Barry Byers - bbyers@heraldonline.com

There are several new faces on Rock Hill’s wrestling team this season, but it’s playoffs time and coach Cain Beard is getting the most from his Bearcats.

Rock Hill has made it to the state championship match three straight seasons under Beard. After winning it last year, the goal all season has been to get back and do it again.

Northwestern was the unfortunate victim to start this year’s run and fell 58-9 to the Bearcats in Tuesday’s first round of the Class AAAA Upper State playoffs at Rock Hill’s auxiliary gym. It was a case of the Bearcats being older, more experienced and stronger in most matches.

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The Bearcats (23-4) are back in action at home tonight for a second-round match against Dorman. The Cavaliers beat Greenwood 71-3 on Monday.

Rock Hill won 12 of the 14 weight classes, six on pins.

Northwestern had reason for hope after the first four matches. At 112, Chris Nguyen pinned Rock Hill’s Alston Threatt in the first round. Northwestern got a 5-4 decision from Lebrockton Love at 135, but that was it for the Trojans, who trailed 33-9 at that point.

The match draw was 215 pounds and the Bearcats jumped ahead 3-0 on a 3-2 decision by Jared McIlwain over Trevor Smith. The gap moved to 15-0 on pins by heavyweight Josh Tucker and Jordan Grav at 103.

“I felt good about my pin because Threatt is a good wrestler,’’ Nguyen said. “But they were too strong for us and we knew they would be. I got the pin on a mistake. He shot in and left his arms open. I was able to throw him and get the pin.’’

Nguyen’s victory appeared to have a lifting effect on the Bearcats, who turned it on for three straight matches and 18 more points. Twelve came on pins by J.T. Charette at 119 and Seth Beck at 130. The other six came on a forfeit, with Weston Beck getting his points just by walking onto the mat.

“This was a good match for us because we started several of our backup wrestlers to get them some duals experience,’’ Beard said. “I felt we’d be OK because most of them have started this season and know what we expect from them.

“But give Northwestern some credit. There were five or six matches that were close and went down to the wire.’’

There were six decisions and four fell in the 1-point win category. Besides McIlwain’s 3-2 win at 215 and Love’s 5-4 win at 135, Rock Hill won 6-5 at 171 with Jonathan Schavey’s win over Ruben Walker and Duran McDaniel’s 1-0 decision over Devin Mills at 198.

Another should count because Zack Hubbs and Johnny Munas were tied 6-6 at the end of regulation. Rock Hill’s Munas got two take down and three near fall points for an 11-6 win. The other was no contest as Rock Hill’s Dominique Jenkins scored a 10-1 major decision over Lamar Mitchell.

“There were some close matches that went down to the wire and that showed we are not the same team that came over here early in the season,’’ Northwestern coach Mike Biddix said. “We had four freshmen get pinned and our kids that are non-freshmen fought hard.’’

Rock Hill closed out the match with six straight wins, with pins from Darsheay Moore at 152 and Colin Meachum at 160. Beard said he’s very satisfied with Moore, who was ineligible the first semester. Tuesday’s was his ninth match of the season.

“I practiced and came out and supported my teammates when I wasn’t wrestling, Moore said. “Since I’ve been back, I’ve been able to fill a hole in our lineup that needed filled. So we’re off to a good start and we don’t want it to end until February 13th at the state championship.’’

Northwestern ended the team portion of its schedule at 15-15. The Trojans will compete in the Region 3-AAAA individuals tournament at Fort Mill on Thursday.

ROCK HILL 58

NORTHWESTERN 9

(starting draw was 215 pounds)

215 — Jaret McIlwain (RH) dec. Trevor Smith, 3-2. Hwt. — Josh Tucker (RH) pin Joe Burns, :27.7 3rd. 103 — Jordan Grav (RH) pin Aaron Ashworth, 1:24 2nd. 112 — Chris Nguyen (N) pin Alston Threat, 1st. 119 — J.T. Charette (RH) pin Bart Smith, :37.5 2nd. 125 — Weston Beck (RH) by forfeit. 130 — Seth Beck (RH) pin Nevin Barnett, :33.2 1st. 135 — Lebrockton Love (N) dec. Justin Collins, 5-4. 140 — Johnny Munas (RH) dec. Zack Hubbs, 11-6 OT. 145 — Dominique Jenkins (RH) jam. dec. Lamar Mitchell 10-1. 152 — Darsheay Moore (RH) pin :4.1 1st. 160 — Colin Meachum (RH) pin Hyannis Gravamen, :36.8 3rd. 171 — Jonathan Schafer (RH) dec. Ruben Walker, 6-5. 189 — Duran McDaniel dec. Devin Mills 1-0.