The Herald releases its All-Area wrestling teams and honorable mentions
The Herald’s 2020 All-Area wrestling selections provide just more proof of the dynasty blooming in northern Lancaster County.
This past season, Indian Land notched its second consecutive wrestling title. It won its fourth straight region title and had 10 Warrior wrestlers qualify for the state individual tournament — five of which won state championships.
Indian Land head coach Leon Boulware is the All-Area Coach of the Year. And his two-time state champion, Markeith Drakeford-Yegge, is the All-Area Wrestler of the Year.
Drakeford-Yegge emerges from the 160-pound weight class — the most competitive group in our area. The senior did not give up a point in the state tournament, winning by pin fall in each match.
Drakeford-Yegge shares a first-team title with Fort Mill’s Josh Cizmadia (5A state champion) and narrowly tops Andrew Jackson’s All-Area second-team selection, Tyliek Elder (2A/1A state champion).
In all, this year’s All-Area wrestling teams feature 13 individual state champions.
Find a full listing of the selections below. Pertinent records and accolades were provided by the schools.
All-Area Accolades
Coach of the Year: Leon Boulware
Wrestler of the Year: Markeith Drakeford-Yegge
ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM
(106) Drew Endes, Indian Land: The sophomore won an individual 3A Upper State title and state championship and was a key contributor on the 3A state championship team.
(113) Max Yegge, Indian Land: The sophomore finished third in the individual state tournament and was a key contributor on the 3A state championship team.
(120) Jackson Rumfelt, York; Dylan Layton, Indian Land: Rumfelt (4A) and Layton (3A) — each is a state champion — share the All-Area first team title.
(126) Kaleem Heard, York: The Cougar won a 4A state championship.
(132) Bailey Wilkins, Rock Hill: Despite not winning a fourth-straight 5A state title in his senior year, Wilkins still managed to make history. The senior won a region championship and an Upper State title. He finished his career at 262-27 — the most career victories in South Carolina wrestling history. He was also region wrestler and 5A wrestler of the year.
(138) Matthew Belk, Rock Hill: Belk finished second in the state individual tournament.
(145) Grant Witherspoon, Indian Land: Witherspoon, a junior, won a 3A individual state title and was a key contributor on the state championship team.
(152) Michael Ramirez, Rock Hill: Ramirez notched a region championship, an Upper State championship and an individual 5A state championship in his senior season. He finished his career with two state championships and a 159-42 overall record.
(160) Markeith Drakeford-Yegge, Indian Land; Josh Cizmadia, Fort Mill: Drakeford-Yegge and Cizmadia were both state champions.
(170) Xavier Dreese, Indian Land: The senior won an individual 3A Upper State title and state championship and was a key contributor on the 3A state championship team.
(182) Raul Neil, Indian Land: The senior finished third in the individual state tournament and was a key contributor on the 3A state championship winning team.
(195) Isaac Ekenemin, South Pointe; Tyrin Jordan, Chester: Ekenemin (4A) and Jordan (3A) each earned individual state titles.
(220) Graysen Lathem, Clover: The junior finished 36-9 on the season. He won a region championship and was a state championship qualifier.
(285) Immanuel Busch, Lancaster: Busch, a senior, won a 4A individual state championship. He’s committed to play football at Marshall next year.
ALL-AREA SECOND TEAM
(106) Colton Smith, Rock Hill: En route to his third place finish at the 5A state tournament, Smith earned a region championship and was an Upper State title runner up.
(113) Sebastian Colon, Fort Mill: Colon finished fourth at the 5A individual state tournament.
(120) Spencer Cox, South Pointe: Cox finished second at the state tournament.
(126) Joshua Sturgeon, Fort Mill: Sturgeon finished second in the 5A state tournament.
(132) Weston Nguyen, Indian Land: Nguyen narrowly lost (7-6) in the 3A individual state finals and was a key contributor on the state championship team.
(138) Amir Muhammed, Clover: The sophomore finished 19-3 and was a 3-5A Region champion.
(145) Steven Johnson, Nation Ford: The junior finished 28-4 and finished fourth at the 5A individual state tournament. He also finished runner up at the Upper State title and the Bearcat Invitational.
(152) Shy’Quan Ferguson, South Pointe: Ferguson finished third in the 4A individual state tournament.
(160) Tyliek Elder, Andrew Jackson: Elder earned his second straight 2A/1A state title and an Upper State championship in his senior season.
(170) Ly’Terrance Mills, Chester: Mills, a senior, finished fourth in the 3A state tournament.
(182) Webber Moore, Rock Hill: Moore was a region champion, an Upper State runner-up and qualified for the 5A individual state tournament.
(195) Matt Courtwright, Clover: The senior finished at 30-10 overall and was also a 3-5A Region champion.
(220) Maurice Bonneau, Rock Hill: Bonneau finished 23-18 on the season.
(285) Zach Blanchard, Clover: Blanchard finished with a 32-7 overall record and was an Upper State champion. The senior finished third at the 5A individual state tournament.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
TJ Stacey, Clover
Yannis Charles, Clover
Jose Mora, Rock Hill
Garrett Pfirman, Rock HIll
Nygel Moore, South Pointe
Sean Grennan, Nation Ford
RJ Lincoln, Catawba Ridge
This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 5:03 AM.
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