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Patriot grapplers should be contenders

Published Tuesday, December 01, 2009 2:16 PM

By Roger Lee
The Gazette

File

Michael Young (top) returns to the Patriot wrestling team after being named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for the AAAA division last season.

The Patriot wrestling team is looking to return to the state title match this season.

Fort Dorchester won the 2009 Lowerstate championship to advance to the state finals, where it fell 24-28 to Rock Hill. The Patriots enter this season ranked second in the state behind Rock Hill and poised for another great year.

“We certainly look good on paper,” Patriot coach B.D. LaPrad said. “We have most of the group back who we went to battle with last season, including two state champions and a wrestler who placed third at the individual championships. Barring any injuries or unforeseen things, I like our chances.”

Seniors Michael Young and Seiji Borja return to the team after claiming individual championships last season.

After winning the 135-pound championship, Young was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for the 4-A classification. Young also placed third at 130 in 2008. LaPrad says he will not settle on a lineup until after Christmas, but Young will likely jump up two or three weight classes this season.

Borja claimed his second consecutive state championship at 140 last season. He also qualified at 130 in 2007.

Ashley Bracklein returns after placing third at 145 last year. In 2008 he placed third at 135 and in 2007 he placed fourth at 135.

Other returning qualifiers include seniors Sonny Bugarin, Tyler Walker and Geno Porter, junior Marquise Robinson and sophomore Alex Bugarin.

However, the Patriots also have some promising younger wrestlers so some of last year’s starters may find themselves battling for a slot.

Sophomore Brent Barfield wrestled at 103 last season, but will likely move up a class or two this season. Sophomore Daquan Wilson, who placed sixth at 135 during the 2009 High School Freshman Nationals tournament to garner All-American honors, is expected to vie for a starting position.

Senior Michael Sellers, the leading rusher for the Patriot football team, is looking to make a contribution to the squad in his first year out. While he has very little wrestling experience, LaPrad says Sellers has shown a lot of potential.

“We are a veteran team, but we also have some young guys with a lot of skill,” LaPrad said. “We just need everyone to pull together and to get everyone in the right weight class at the right time. We have good depth so when we get to the playoffs we should be able to move people around if needed.”

However, LaPrad knows getting to the state finals is no simple task. Summerville enters the season ranked eighth among the 4-A teams. The Green Wave also returns a veteran group and is seeking revenge for the loss the Patriots handed it in the Lowerstate championship last season.

In addition to Summerville, Lexington, Dutch Fork and Stratford are all ranked among the Top 10 teams in the state for the 4-A division. Berkeley, Goose Creek and Wando fielded strong teams last season and are again expected to be competitive.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.

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