Clover, Fort Mill and Rock Hill wrestlers earn national recognition: ‘A great reward’

Four area individuals were recently rewarded for their outstanding work in wrestling — and in different ways.

Three gained All-America status at a national tournament, while the fourth received an invitation to train at the Olympic Training Center with the team that will represent the United States in the Pan-American Games.

Yannis Charles of Clover is currently at the Olympic Training Center and working with the U.S. team. He has been there for a number of days of training. Charles is currently in his junior year with the Blue Eagles, and he served as a team captain this past season. He wrestles in the 145 weight class and has been the state runner-up in that division the past two years.

“This is a great opportunity for him,” Clover head coach Mike Fitzgerald told The Herald. “He is getting a chance to train with the best in the country.”

Fitzgerald knows that Charles will not only gain some great experience, but he’ll perform at a high level, too.

“We are all excited to see what he can do there,” he added. “Everyone in the school is very proud of what he has done.”

Charles recently competed in the USA Wrestling Freestyle and Greco Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota, and the Olympic Committee was in attendance and took notice. He finished in the top eight in his weight classification, and Fitzgerald believes that his outstanding showing there opened the door for him.

Three other wrestlers earn All-America status

Three other area wrestlers earned All-America status for their performance in the NHSC National Wrestling Tournament.

Bella Hoffman of Fort Mill finished fourth in the 120 girls high school division. Taniya Roberts of Rock Hill was eighth in the 160 girls high school classification. Trey Robinson of Sullivan Middle School completed the All-American trio with a seventh place finish in the 154 boys middle school division.

Wrestlers who finish in the top eight in their weight class are awarded All-American status.

Hoffman, who completed her fifth season in the Fort Mill program, drew praise from Yellow Jacket head coach Chris Brock.

“I am so very proud of her success,” said Brock. “I give her a lot of credit for what she has accomplished. “

The veteran Yellow Jacket head coach says her success over the years has been due to her work ethic.

“She has been very dedicated to her craft,” he added. “She is always focused on the goals that she wants to reach.”

Brock is also glad to see more female wrestlers being recognized.

“It is an olympic sport,” he said. “They are competing, getting better and winning medals. The sky’s the limit for women in wrestling at all levels.”

Roberts has also improved with each year in the Rock Hill Bearcats program.

“This is a really big deal for her,” said Rock Hill head coach Cain Beard. “There are a lot of college coaches at these events, and it gives these girls a chance to be recognized nationally.”

He is also proud of her dedication to the sport.

“She has a high work ethic,” added Beard. “She is very dedicated to improving her skills, and that paid off for her at this event.”

Beard is also pleased that the girls programs everywhere continue to grow and get more attention.

“Every wrestler in both the girls and boys divisions had 32 competitors in their brackets,” he added. “Getting to the top tier involved a lot of work. I am very proud of what she has accomplished in her time in our program as well as her outstanding showing in this event.”

Robinson will eventually move into the Bearcat program, and Beard is anxiously awaiting his arrival.

“He has done extremely well, and to do this well in a national event like this is a great reward for his work and dedication,” added Beard. “I am blessed to have such excellent wrestlers and coaches in our feeder programs.”

As far as area recognition goes, Beard is very proud of the three All-Americans in the area.

“Nobody else in the state can claim that kind of success,” he added. “The success of our three in this tournament speaks well for the quality of wrestlers that our area programs at all levels are producing.”

This story was originally published April 11, 2022 at 1:37 PM.