Story & photos byMike Maddock

Dreher head wrestling coach Paul Watson believes the Blue Devil Wrestling Invitational might be the marquis high school sporting event in the city of Columbia. A quick look at this year’s participants may just prove him right.

Half of the teams at the Dreher High School event held January 13 and 14 are ranked in the top 20 in their respective classes by www.scmat.com. That includes two number ones, one number two, and seven top tens. An astonishing 91 wrestlers participating in the tournament are ranked in the top ten in their respective weight classes. So when Watson says the Blue Devil Wrestling Invitational is the premier event in Columbia, he’s not just speaking from the heart. The numbers back him up.

The list of tournament sponsors backs him up as well. Sponsors included the Devine Street Merchants Association, Moore Orthopedic Clinic, Piggly Wiggly, Chick–Fil–A, The Gourmet Shop, Pulliam Ford, and others. Mayor Bob Coble was also a sponsor. He opened the ceremonies Friday night. Not to be outdone, city councilman and restauranteur Daniel Rickenmann provided dinner for everyone on opening night. Watson was overwhelmed and grateful for all the support.

AC Flora’s Chris Harris (rear) wraps up Carolina Forest’s Josh Eurell. Harris won this match and finished third in the 140 pound weight class. Watson has been involved in all but two of the 16 Blue Devil Wrestling Invitationals. He has been a head coach for seven, an assistant coach for three, and he was one of the wrestlers four years. This year was particularly satisfying for Watson because the Dreher team’s fourth place finish was its highest ever.

Watson says, “This proves our program is becoming one of the state’s best.”

Again, Watson’s point is hard to argue. Six of his Blue Devils finished fourth or higher. Robbie Pooler was one point away from winning the 140 pound weight class.

Dreher was not the only local team to enjoy success. Spring Valley’s Tyler Thompson continued his domination of the 112 pound weight class, and Kyle Fischer won the 275 pound weight class. The Vikings finished eighth overall. Brookland–Cayce wrestler Robert Burgess won the 135 pound weight class, and three others finished as runner–ups for the Bearcats. Ridge View finished seventh with two top four individual finishers. SCISA power Hammond tied for ninth getting fourth place finishes from Ross Power and Eddie Fishman. Chapin and Airport were 11th and 12th respectively. AC Flora and Blythewood finished 16th and 17th while Richland Northeast and Lower Richland were 20th and 21st. Lower Richland’s Chistopher Francis finished third in the 119 pound weight class.

Dreher’s Stephen Stockard (rear) gets Hammond’s Hudson White in an awkward position. Stockard won this match. Class 3A power North Myrtle Beach won the invitational placing second or better in seven weight classes.

Brookland–Cayce’s J.C. Gypin has a hard fought match with Ridge View’s Briggs Tucker. Gypin won this match but lost in the final to Bluffton’s Nick Shappee.Dreher’s Colby Taylor (rear) goes for the throw against Blythewood’s Brett Mullaley. Colby won this match by pinning Mullaley.Spring Valley’s Brandon Thompson (top) wrestled North Myrtle Beach’s T.T. Prayther to an overtime period but could not hold on. Prayther went on to finish second in the 125 pound weight class.