Fort Mill's Feix honored as state's top wrestler

Fort Mill senior Brandon Feix has been named Class AAAA's Wrestler of the Year by the South Carolina Wrestling Coaches Association.

Feix wrestled at 125 pounds this year and won his second individual state championship two weeks ago at Lexington High School. The first was at 103 pounds his freshman season.

After being moved up to 125 as a sophomore, Feix struggled in his new weight division. He injured his shoulder in the preseason last year and missed the season after surgery.

At the recent North/South Wrestling All-Star Classic at North Myrtle Beach High School, Feix was just one of four South Carolina all-star wrestlers to win against Georgia's all-stars. He beat previously undefeatedand two-time Georgia state champion Louis Ponce of Rockdale County High School.

Georgia won the South Carolina/Georgia Showcase, 44-18.

Feix also defeated three-time state champion and Class AAA Wrestler of the Year Eric Rholetter of West Oak, 17-2. He ran his 2009 record to 49-0.

But he saved his best for last. In the Georgia-South Carolina challenge, Feix remained unbeaten by defeating Richard Ponce of Rockdale High School in a 6-2 decision. Ponce, who had not lost a match in his high school career and was a two time state champion, was overwhelmed by Feix in the much anticipated match.

Fort Mill's Thomas Mockridge was 1-1 in a pair of matches. He won this year's 160-pound individual state championship. Mockridge pinned Class AA/A state champion Eric Chapman of Gilbert High School. Mockridge lost to three-time state champion and Class AA/A Wrestler of the Year Zane Newton of Emerald, 11-5.

"The guys represented our school and program with pride and class,'' Fort Mill coach Chris Brock said. "I received many compliments on the many great things we have going on here at Fort Mill High School.

"This is an event for only a select group of seniors ... very much like the Shrine Bowl and North-South football games.''

Indian Land's Dillon Creed also wrestled in the tournament and lost to Bluffton's Patrick Boulware and Hilton Head's Ryan Sparks at 145 pounds.

For Fort Mill's Brock, it was icing on the cake.

"Coaching Brandon and Thomas over the past few years has been an exciting ride. I've watched them grow from struggling, young 14 year-old kids to elite-level athletes who are capable of competing on a national scale," he said.

"I've had some really good wrestlers over the past 20 years, and I would have to say that Thomas and Brandon are among the best that I have had."

Brock said he thinks Feix and Mockridge got the exposure that potentially could propel them into college scholarships.

"There are a lot of kids out there who have not had the opportunity to perform against strong competition, and this event gives them a chance to make a name for themselves and perhaps get some quality college looks," Brock said.

This story was originally published March 17, 2009 at 1:33 PM with the headline "Fort Mill's Feix honored as state's top wrestler."