BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood opened the dual wrestling Championship tournament at White Knoll High School on Saturday, Feb. 1.
The Bengals, a four-seed, faced 13th-seeded North Augusta in the first round. Blythewood dominated with a 66-9 final, and followed with a second round match against the hosting White Knoll squad. White Knoll, a five-seed, defeated Hilton Head in the first round.
Blythewood defeated White Knoll earlier in the season, and a pin from junior Khloe Ortiz, who wrestles at 105lbs, helped push the Bengals past the Timberwolves again with a 48-36 final.
The Bengals advanced to face top-seeded Rock Hill, but fell 60-23 to end their playoff run. Rock Hill advanced to down Greenwood in the title match.
“We were so close in several matches, had several of their girls on their backs, but we didn’t seal the wins” said head coach Paul Watson.
“I am so proud that our school and our wrestling program are one of the leaders in this state for promoting Women’s Wrestling,” he said. “That will continue, and we will continue to compete for State Championships each year.”
Blythewood wraps their season with an 8-3 record and will send four girls to the individual state championships next week: seniors Tiyanna Mack and Abby Ely and juniors Audra Petroff and Kennedy Mitchell.
Mack won the Upper State Championship at 130lbs for the third straight time and looks to win her third straight State Championship.
Ely, who placed second at Upper State, will also make her third trip to the State Championships. She wrestles at 190lbs.
In just her second year wrestling, Petroff (155lbs) placed third at Upper State to earn her first trip to compete for a state title.
Mitchell, a first year wrestler, placed fourth at Upper State in HWY class to earn a spot at the state tournament.
