WHITMIRE — This year the Whitmire High School wrestling team sent seven wrestlers to the State Competition and four of those wrestlers placed in the top four, earning All State Honors.
The wrestlers were as follows: Latrell Brewer (106, junior), Dawson Davis (126, sophomore) finished third in his weight class, Garrett Davis (132, senior) finished second in his weight class, Christian McLaren (138, senior), Terrance Gibson (182, senior) finished second in his weight class, Joey Rosenfeld (195, senior) finished fourth in his weight class and Chandler Crumley (220, sophomore).
Dawson Davis, Garrett Davis, Terrance Gibson and Joey Rosenfeld all received All State Honors for finishing in the top four of their weight class.
Seven athletes is the most that have gone to State in the program’s history, the previous record was five. Head Coach Jarrod King said they finished the season filling 12 weight classes, at one point they had 15, but finished the season with 12.
“It is great for our program, it builds credibility and interest. Kids see other kids doing it and they believe they can. Honestly, we had several years before (when the program first began) we qualified for at our first State qualify, and that was in 2012. Ever since then we’ve been blessed to have one or more go to State every year,” he said. “As soon as one kid showed it was possible, it continued to grow from there. Gives the kids hope, faith and belief, they see others doing it, they think they can do it too.”
King added that having players go to State is tremendous for increasing interest in the program.
During the State competition, which was held in February, King said the competition was solid.
“You had your best eight wrestlers in the state in every weight class there. No match where you could go out there thinking this is going to be easy, all of them earned their way to State. So it was tough competition,” King said.
During State, King said it is not unusual, this year being one of those years, where you’ll have players who finished first or second at Upper State, fall to third or fourth place at State.
“It’s just that close, one little thing goes differently and boom,” he said.
Each of the seven wrestlers had a moment that stood out to them this season, that either inspired them to get to State, or made them realize they could make it.
For Dawson Davis, he said it was the Region Championship where he won by one point.
“The time before that when we wrestled, had to go into overtime, against High Point,” he said.
For Joey Rosenfeld, it was the match at home against Ninety-Six High School.
“I should have won, I lost it because I was really upset and didn’t think of myself and didn’t think I could continue to wrestle,” he said.
Chandler Crumley recalled the match against Ninety-Six High and Abbeville.
“I didn’t know much coming in, just knew the basics. Going all the way into the third period with a couple seconds left, winning by one point,” he said.
He added that it felt great.
Christian McLaren said it was a couple of matches, but it was the fact he said he lost to people he could have beaten.
“That really helped me to work harder to practice. If I could to lose to people I’m better, than I could lose to people that are better than me,” he said.
For Garret Davis, he said it was at Upper State, the third place match. He beat a competitor and then had to face him in the State Finals. Additionally, Davis played in the North/South Game. He won one and lost one.
“The one he did win was a win by pin, you don’t see that a lot at North/South Games, he lost by points in the second,” King said.
For Latrell Brewer it was her match when the team faced off against CA Johnson High School, she said it was a really close match. Brewer has also made history for the Wolverines. She is the first female wrestler to finish the varsity season, in addition to making it to State.
Terrance Gibson said it wasn’t a match that propelled him to have the desire to go to State, but rather the fact he wasn’t supposed to be there. This year Gibson had surgery, and therapy, but his doctor didn’t clear him. Eventually his doctor would clear him, but he didn’t have his first match until late January.
“I had to keep that constant mindset,” he said.
Going to State had a different impact on each of the seven, all of which had a different memorable moment.
For McLaren, it was the entire experience. This was his first time going to State, an experience he said was fun.
“He’s been very close, and just came up short in the past,” King said.
“The feeling of everything you’ve done and hard work you’ve put in paying off, best feeling in the world,” McLaren said.
For Crumley, this was the first year he wrestled, at first he wasn’t sure if he was going to wrestle or play basketball.
“I was thinking about going to play baseball instead of going to Upper State, I was thinking I wouldn’t place. Then to go in and place third in Upper State, with the opportunity to go to State, I wasn’t expecting that. Just getting there (was memorable),” he said.
For Dawson Davis, it was more so knowing that hard work pays off in the end, this was his second time going to State. As for Garrett Davis, he said with this being his third time going, and his last, his goal was a State Championship.
“And I made it to the finals, and I came a little bit short, I can still be proud of everything I accomplished in my career,” he said.
King added that Davis improved his placement every year.
For Brewer, it was just great to go. Gibson said for him, it was hearing his name getting called.
“When I was introduced in the final, running out on the mat knowing that this would be my last time,” he said.
Seven Whitmire wrestlers made their way to State this year, four of which made All-State. Pictured, Front Row: Latrell Brewer (106), Terrance Gibson (182), Dawson Davis (126), Coach Jarrod King. Back Row: Christian McLaren (138), Garrett Davis (132), Chandler Crumley (220), Joey Rosenfeld (195).