Crescent, Loris Tie for Crown
February 27, 2000
The State (Columbia, SC)
Author: FRED GONZALEZ, Staff Writer
For the second consecutive year Loris won the Class AA-A state wrestling team championship, but this year they were not alone.
Loris tied with Crescent with 83 points to share the 2000 title. In Class AA-A there is no team duals playoffs, so the team champion is determined by a point system in relation to each team's individual performances.
While both coaches were glad to have won a state championship, neither were thrilled about sharing a title.
"When things happen like this, this is the reason we need duals in Class AA-A," Crescent coach Russell Blackston said. "It's a state title nonetheless."
For Crescent (21-0), this is the first time it brings home a wrestling championship. But that wasn't the reason why it was able to take home the only state trophy in Timmons Arena.
Loris coach Mike Morris called tails on the coin flip that came up heads, meaning he'll have to wait for his trophy in the mail.
"It's not the same feeling as winning it outright, but I'll take it every year," said Morris whose team finished 23-0. "We knew with some experienced wrestlers coming back we could make a run. We had a shot, but there were no guarantees."
Swansea's Rhyne Stowe was as close to a guarantee as one could get at the 145-pound weight class. The senior won his third state title, second consecutive at 145, to close out his senior season 32-2. Stowe's teammate William Freeman won the 171-pound title.
"I just can't describe the feeling," said Stowe after John Barker of West-Oak 10-3. Stowe took a 4-3 in the second period on a reversal and never trailed again, pulling away late in the third period.
"I never even thought I could win one state championship in my first year wrestling, let alone three."
Chapin's Jeremy Mosley also won his third individual title, but his first since 1998. After winning at 103 as a freshman and 112 as a sophomore, Mosley missed last year's championships at Timmons Arena because of an injury.
"I saw the crowd last year and I missed it," said Mosley, who defeated Garnell Simpson of Crescent 5-4 for the 135-pound title. "Today I was pretty pumped up, and with all the fans it felt like a college crowd."
With his parents and brother in attendance, Mosley rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 lead on an escape and a reversal in the first period. He built a 5-2 lead before holding off Simpson's late charge.
"It was little closer than I would like, but I'm glad I could win. I wanted to win this for my coach (Bob Taylor). He's been like a godfather to me and he molded me. This win was for him," Mosley said.