Hanahan stripped of state spot, will appeal | Sports | Our Gazette

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Hanahan stripped of state spot, will appeal

Published Thursday, February 11, 2010 11:40 PM

By Rob Gantt
The Gazette

For now, Hanahan has been stripped of its spot in Saturday’s Class AA state wrestling finals.

The South Carolina High School League ruled the Hawks used an ineligible wrestler at the 125-pound weight class during the 34-33 win over three-time defending Lower State champion Loris Wednesday night.

“They said we needed to forfeit one of our matches because a wrestler had gone three weight classes below a previous competition weight,” Hanahan coach Ray Adkins said.

Loris was awarded six points, the same amount as a forfeit at the weight class, and the Hawks lost the three points Koffi Dwira got for them after besting Jamar Gore 12-5.

Loris was credited with a 39-31 victory and penciled in to face Woodruff for the title.

Hanahan, which was set to make its first title appearance since 1987, will appeal Friday morning and some feel the Hawks have a good chance once their complete case is stated at the High School League office.

Adkins’ biggest issue with the ruling is that it can’t be found on any web site or rule book that he knows of. He and others seeking the information have not been able to locate it.

“The rule is unavailable,” Adkins said. “They’re saying I’m responsible for an email they may have sent. They said it was on email or it was covered in a meeting.”

Adkins also said Dwira is certified to wrestle at 125 pounds on the optimal performance calculator program through the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Adkins doesn’t see where his team has done anything illegal and neither does Hanahan athletics director Charlie Patterson.

“We’re proceeding like we’re going to Columbia on Saturday,” Patterson said. “Hopefully, they will hear our side of the story and rule in our favor.”

Either way, Hanahan sort of gets a chance at redemption in the team standings in the individual championships Feb. 26-27.

“I’m just really proud of these guys,” Adkins said. “If this opportunity is taken from them, I’m sure they’ll respond for the individual Lower State and state tournaments. We’ll get a chance to show why we think we’re the best Class AA team in the state of South Carolina… That’s the best tournament all year for us to be in, compete and win.”

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