Columbia Star

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Local schools dominate SCISA individual state championships



Cardinal Newman’s Max Miller tries to keep Ben Lippen’s Price Medlin flat on the mat. Photo by Perry McLeod

Cardinal Newman’s Max Miller tries to keep Ben Lippen’s Price Medlin flat on the mat. Photo by Perry McLeod

Wrestlers from ten SCISA schools descended upon Cardinal Newman Saturday, February 15 for the 2020 SCISA Individual State Championships. When the final match was finished, 12 wrestlers from the four Columbia-area SCISA schools–Ben Lippen, Cardinal Newman, Hammond, and Heathwood Hall–walked away with state titles.

In the 106-pound weight class, Ben Lippen’s DJ Croteau won against Hammond’s Luke Martin. The match was a back-and-forth affair with both wrestlers gaining multiple points on reversals and near falls, before Croteau finally pinned Martin in the third period.

John Paul II’s Peter Torinese won the 113- pound weight class.

In the 120-weight class, Hammond’s Sam DuBose defeated Pinewood Prep’s Noah Kessler.

At 126, Heathwood Hall’s Myles Roberts won a 20-4 technical fall against Cardinal Newman’s Peter Wilbur.

At 132, Hammond’s Leo Addeo downed Ben Lippen’s Matthew Spence with a 15-0 technical fall.

Hammond’s Harper Meacham won the 138- pound weight class with an 11-5 decision over Heathwood Hall’s AJ Kuse. Meacham was also named the SCISA Most Outstanding

Hammond’s Harper Meacham takes a shot against Heathwood Hall’s A.J. Kuse. Photo by Perry McLeod

Hammond’s Harper Meacham takes a shot against Heathwood Hall’s A.J. Kuse. Photo by Perry McLeod

Wrestler at the end of the day by a coaches’ vote.

The closest battle of the finals came at 145, where Heathwood Hall’s McIver Merritt and Cardinal Newman’s John Maddock battled for the title. In this low-scoring affair, Merritt had the upper hand through two periods, but led only 5-2 with 15 seconds left. Maddock parlayed one final burst of energy into a two-point near fall, but the clock ran out before the requisite time for a third point, giving Merritt a 5-4 victory.

At 152, Heathwood Hall’s Darius Bates also won a low-scoring contest, outpointing John Paul II’s Jonathan Field 3-0 to claim victory.

Greenwood Christian’s Caled Mack beat Hammond’s Aiden Palisin to take the 160-pound weight class.

Hammond’s Owen Hales pinned Augusta Christian’s Eric Young in the second period for the title at 170. Hammond’s Jamison Phillips scored a pinfall over Cardinal Newman’s Chase Brooks at 182 for a title of his own.

Heathwood Hall’s Darius Bates goes for a takedown against John Paul II’s Jonathan Field. Photo by Perry McLeod

Heathwood Hall’s Darius Bates goes for a takedown against John Paul II’s Jonathan Field. Photo by Perry McLeod

Cardinal Newman’s Max Miller took down Ben Lippen’s Price Medlin with a pin in the second period at 195. The Cardinals’ Charlie Skehan won the 220 pound weight class with a first-period pin of Greenwood Christian’s Luke Ergle

Finally, Ben Lippen got its second title when JC Green pinned Greenwood Christian’s Will Moore in the second period.

In all, team state champion Hammond had five winners and two second place finishes. Heathwood Hall won three titles, had two second-place finishes, and two third-place finishes (Matthew Black, 106; Grayson Tanner, 195). Cardinal Newman won two titles, had three secondplace finishes, and three third-place finishes (Luke Appleton, 152; John Kingkade, 160; John Darby, 170). Ben Lippen claimed two titles, two-second place finishes, and two-third place finishes (Drake Porter, 113; Nathaniel Cole, 220).

Ben Lippen’s DJ Croteau attempts a pin against Hammond’s Luke Martin. Photo by Perry McLeod

Ben Lippen’s DJ Croteau attempts a pin against Hammond’s Luke Martin. Photo by Perry McLeod

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