Published: Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 / Updated: Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 12:07 AM

'Fantastic Four' ready for some clobbering

Fort Mill wrestlers Max Simons, Brandon Feix, Thomas Mockridge and Jonathan Miskelly got into a little spat before practice Wednesday afternoon.

Two wanted it known that they have come up with a nickname. The other two said "no, we don't want anybody to know it."

If you don't want something known, then don't say it. Sorry guys, too late.

"But people will try to figure out who is who,'' Simons said. "You know that one of them is a girl, and I just don't want people to know about our nickname.''

"What do you have to worry about?'' Miskelly said. "You are the Thing. Nobody will argue that.''

That's right.

While running laps earlier this week, Mockridge and Miskelly came up with the perfect name: The "Fantastic Four.'' After much discussion Wednesday, all four agreed that it's just a name and nobody has to pretend to be one of the comic book characters, the subjects of two movies, and especially not Susan Storm.

Four has become a significant number for the Yellow Jackets. Last weekend at Hillcrest High School, the top four places in each of the 14 weight classes advanced to this weekend's individuals state tournament starting tonight at Lexington High School.

Coach Chris Brock had only four wrestlers at Hillcrest. All of them qualified. And this season, Simons (189 pounds), Feix (125), Mockridge (160) and Miskelly (145) have been ranked No. 1 in Class AAAA. Simons and Feix still hold down top spots, have most of the season.

Feix was a state champ at 103 as a freshman. He moved three classes to 125 his sophomore season and said, "I never got going.'' He missed the entire season last year with an injured shoulder that required surgery. But he's back strong as ever.

"There hasn't been any pressure being ranked No. 1 because I know what I'm capable of doing,'' Feix said. "And when I'm on the mat, I've wrestled most of the guys in the state in my weight class and I know what they can do. I go into every match knowing I'm going to beat my opponent.''

Beating the opposition has become habit for the Fantastic Four. Simons, a junior, is 47-0. Feix, a senior, is 44-0. Mockridge, also a senior, is 46-2. Miskelly, a sophomore, is 44-2.

How about that number four that keeps popping up? Each wrestler has at least 44 wins and they have 181 victories between them. They have lost only four matches.

"As a team, each of those four kids know they have to contribute for us to win,'' Brock said. "As individuals, they expect to win and I expect them to win. Max and Brandon have been at it longer than the others and we count on them to lead.

"Thomas had never wrestled until his freshman year. In all my years I've never seen a wrestler here progress the way he has. He struggled his freshman and sophomore seasons. Jonathan is a young, raw talent who knows the sport. He's a good one.''

Miskelly has an edge. His older brother, Robby, was an outstanding wrestler for Brock. He attends practices and wrestles one of the Yellow Jackets when a stand-in is needed.

"He's helped me for as long as I can remember,'' Miskelly said. "At home, we've wrestled for years on our living room floor. He's always coaching me. I look up to him, so I listen.''

Simons is the iron man. Like Feix, he's been wrestling for Brock at different levels for nine years. He's tough, hard to beat, a monster on the mat but a fun-loving high school student off the mat.

He plays football in the fall, running back and linebacker, and is one of Fort Mill's top players.

"It comes down to experience and listening to our coaches,'' Simons said of his wrestling success. "All four of us have wrestled good people. We've been to some big tournaments. When you consider what we've done this season, you have to give a lot of credit to coach Brock.''

Mockridge, almost as quiet as a church mouse on Wednesday, said being No. 1 and dropping to No. 4 has been a "big'' motivational factor heading into the state tournament.

"It drives me,'' he said. "Losing the top spot showed me I'm vulnerable and that to reach my goal of winning a state championship, I have to work harder and keep my focus.''

• NOTE: Rock Hill qualified seven wrestlers.

Two are ranked No. 1. At 171, Josh Tuck is 50-1. Weston Beck, a state champ last year, is 58-3.

Chad Beck (140) is also a defending state champion. He's 50-4.