Fort Mill wrestlers lead qualifying out of Region 3-4A

The Fort Mill wrestling team will be taking a baker’s dozen to the Upper State tournament Feb. 19-20 at Rock Hill High, leading all local teams.

The Jackets put 13 wrestlers on the mat Saturday at Nation Ford High for the Region III tournament and all qualified, finishing in the top four spots of their respective weight classes. The only weight class they didn’t field a wrestler was at 220 pounds.

“We only sent 13 wrestlers and to qualify all 13 is special, especially in this region,” said Fort Mill head coach Chris Brock, who was also named region coach of the year. “This is the toughest region in the state. But I love this time of year. Everything up until now is just practice.”

Fort Mill sent eight wrestlers to the region finals, crowing three champions in John Brotemarkle (113), AJ Leitten (138) and Jack Debbout (160).

Behind Fort Mill was Rock Hill, which qualified 12 wrestlers for the Upper State tournament. The Bearcats had 14 in the region tournament. Coach Cain Beard said he is happy for his team.

“That is still really good,” he said. “We have a good shot at qualifying some of our guys for the state tournament.”

Rock Hill crowned six region champions after sending nine to the finals. Bearcats winning titles are Justin Beck (106), Danny Love (120), Noah Reynolds (170), Stephen Chesney (182), Tylik Simril (195) and Alan Salgado (HWT). Salgado was also named region wrestler of the year.

Nation Ford will send nine to the Upper State tournament and crowned two region champions, Dalen Byerley (132) and Christian Trimble (126).

“It’s the first time we have ever had two region champions at the same tournament,” said Falcons’ coach Leon Boulware. “We accomplished something today. Today turned out not to be too bad.”

York qualified eight wrestlers for the Upper State tournament, but failed to have a region champion. Clover qualified five for the Upper State tournament and had one region champion, Jharee Kerns (145).

Northwestern also qualified five for the Upper State tournament and had one region champion, Akhir Al-Qasim (220).

The only non-local region winner was Derek Turner, (152) from Gaffney.

Gaffney is sending four wrestlers to the Upper State tournament.

The dual playoffs start Feb. 6 with Rock Hill hosting a home match, while Fort Mill, Nation Ford and York are all on the road.

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 6:18 PM with the headline "Fort Mill wrestlers lead qualifying out of Region 3-4A."