The Gazette
“There will be seven other guys there that want to take the title,” said Flores, who takes a perfect mark into the finals at the Civic Center of Anderson. “They’re going up there for the same thing I’m going up there for.”
Flores is among a contingent of 17 wrestlers from Stratford, Goose Creek, Cane Bay and Hanahan high schools that earned a shot at state glory in last week’s Lower State qualifiers.
The four Lower State qualifiers and four Upper State representatives will tangle for weight class championships.
Flores is the only grappler in the group hoping to make it two in a row, though.
He was 43-1 on his way to a 145-pound title last winter, topping the 38 wins he recorded as a freshman. He’s the Lower State’s top seed at 152 pounds in Class A-AA and is unbeaten in 32 matches this year.
“It’s about being smart,” Flores said. “I think I will be OK if I keep wrestling like I have been.”
He pinned three opponents in the Lower State qualifier at HHS and recorded a major decision in the finals.
“I want to be able to pin all of my guys,” Flores said. “I know my technique has gotten a lot better since last year. And of course it’s important to keep my unbeaten record.”
Of his victories this season, all but nine have come by way of pin. He sees the upside in going all six minutes.
“I always try to go for the pin but if I get a chance to work on my technique and work on my moves, that’s a good thing too,” Flores said. “A lot of guys just try not to get pinned but I’m usually able to get a lot of points.”
In addition to Flores, four other Hanahan wrestlers will go for championships this weekend.
J.J. Johnson is the top Lower State seed at 120 pounds, while Jacob Garibay was second at 220 pounds in last week’s qualifier. Kyle Sargent (126) and Forrest Bowman (160) are the Lower State’s third and fourth seeds in their weight classes.
Stratford has six wrestlers in the championships, including four that will be second seeds from the Lower State.
Nick Young (120), Austin Koile (160), Noah Shuler (182) and Brandon Young (195) were runners-up for the Knights last weekend at Fort Dorchester High School. Chad Johnson (126) and Billy Ackerman (106) were third in the qualifier.
Goose Creek and Cane Bay have three wrestlers each in the state finals.
For the Gators, Abdul Shabazz (132) is the second seed from the Lower State, while Trevon Bennett (195) and Albert Mallard (170) were third at the qualifier.
Cane Bay’s Chris David (195) is the No. 1 seed in the Lower State in the Class AAA championships. Matt Rudy (182) and Eddie Brookshire (132) are second and fourth seeds, respectively.
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