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Strong Start to 2025: JPII Wrestling Shines in January Competitions!

January 11 - Bluffton Bobcat Duals Tournament

The John Paul II Warrior varsity wrestling team competed in the Bluffton Bobcat Duals Tournament while the middle school team competed at Hilton Head for the Area Individual Qualifier Tournament for Sectionals. As a team, the Warriors went 1-4 and finished in 8th place. The Warriors defeated Whale Branch by a score of 48 to 36 and fell to SCHSL 4A #1 ranked May River (73-3), SCHSL 3A # 8 ranked Battery Creek (46-33), SCHSL 3A ranked #9 Waccamaw (54-30) and Lucy Beckham (61-12).

Individually, leading the varsity team at 4-1 were Jase Reynolds (4 pins) and Jack Hannagan (2 pins & 2 forfeits). Other wrestlers with winning records were Daniel Snyder 3-2 (major decision, decision, forfeit) and Chase LaFountain 2-2 (2 pins).  Brian Orta won 2 matches with a technical fall and a forfeit.  Picking up a win were Bailey Homer (pin), Taylor Murphy (pin) and Lathan Nichols (pin).

The middle school wrestlers competed at the Area Qualifier for the Sectional Tournament and had a solid performance overall. Individually, the Warriors were led by Nick Kessinger who went 5-1 with 4 pins and a major decision.  After losing his 2nd match in the championship bracket, Nick rattled off 4 consecutive victories in the consolation bracket, including a dominant 12-2 win in the consolation finals to secure 3rd place. With his 3rd place finish, Nick advances to next weekend’s Sectional Tournament at Summerville. He is the first wrestler in JPII history to advance to the Sectional Tournament! Going 2-2 were Brody Farris (2 pins) and Walker Benson (2 pins). James Del Mazo also earned a victory on the day. Great job middle school wrestlers! Good luck to Nick as he aims to be the 1st qualifier for the Carolina Invitational Tournament in JPII history.

Wrestlers of the Week: Jase Reynolds, Jack Hannagan and Nick Kessinger.

The Warrior wrestling team will be back on the mats on Wednesday at Colleton Prep for a quad against Patrick Henry, Thomas Heyward, and Colleton Prep. Then, this Saturday, John Paul II will be hosting the Warriors Duals Tournament.  Wrestling on Saturday begins at 9am. Come on out and pack the JPII gym with Warrior fans to cheer on the boys!

 

January 8 

The John Paul II Warrior varsity wrestling team had an away tri-meet at Bridges Preparatory School on against Benedictine Military School and the host team. The Golden Warriors went 1-1 as a team, losing 45-36 in the first dual against Benedictine and winning 42-41 over Bridges Prep in an exciting dual. The Warrior wrestlers have a 10-9 team record on the season. Individually, going 2-0 were Jude Witkowski (2 pins), Brian Orta (1 pin & 1 forfeit), Jase Reynolds 2-0 (1 pin & 1 forfeit), Tripp Thiesen (2 forfeits), Bailey Homer 1-1 (forfeit), Chase LaFountain 2-0 (1 pin & 1 forfeit). Hayes Keefer went 1-0 with a clutch pin to help secure the team victory over Bridges Prep in his 1st match of the season. Daniel Snyder went 1-1 with a pin.

 

January 4 - Whale Branch Warrior Slam Duals Tournament 

The John Paul II Warrior varsity wrestling team competed at the Whale Branch Warrior Slam Duals Tournament and went 2-3 as a team despite giving up forfeits at 6 weight classes. The Warriors had a solid performance individually with a 71%-win percentage, winning 37 of 52 of the individual matches. All wrestlers on the team picked up at least 1 win on the day. The team had a 48 to 36 win over Orangeburg-Wilkerson, a 60-6 win over Bluffton B team, and losses to St. James (60-22), Hilton Head (54-21) and Bamberg-Ehrhardt (48-27). 

Individually, the Warriors were led by Chase LaFountain with a 5-0 record (4 pins, forfeit),  Brian Orta 3-0 (pin, technical fall, forfeit), Jase Reynolds 4-1 (2 pins, technical fall, forfeit) Jack Hannagan 4-1(3 pins, decision), Tripp Theisen (technical fall, 3 forfeits), Daniel Snyder 3-2 (pin, major decision, forfeit), Alex Mercer 3-2 (pin, 2 forfeits). Also picking up a win were Jonathan Dominguez, Archer Dewig, and Isaac Borgan. 

Wrestlers of the Week: Chase LaFountain, Jase Reynolds and Jack Hannagan for their outstanding performance on the mat.