The Loris wrestling team will not compete for the Class AA dual state championship today, but it’s only because the event was postponed due to the winter storm rolling through the Carolinas.
Loris dropped the Lower State final to Hanahan on Wednesday, but Thursday the S.C. High School League ruled that the Hawks used an ineligible wrestler. Hanahan had to forfeit the win from the ineligible wrestler and the swing in points gave Loris the Lower State title.
Hanahan school officials said they planned to appeal the SCHSL’s ruling today, but Loris coach Thomas Britt said Friday he had not been contacted about any change in the SCHSL’s ruling.
‘’We are still in,’’ Britt said. ‘’There has been no change in the appeal, but [the state championship match] has been canceled for Saturday.’’
Britt said the four S.C. classes, which were scheduled to wrestle Saturday afternoon at Ridge View High School in Columbia, will now be split up with each class searching for a neutral site to compete for a state title. Britt said the Lions could face Woodruff, the Class AA Upper State champ, on Tuesday or Wednesday, but he wasn’t sure when his squad would find out.
Britt sees the extra preparation time as a plus for his team.
‘’I think it kind of helps us. It just has been crazy this week," he said "It gives us some time to get our bearings, relax a little bit and get ready for Woodruff."
As for Hanahan’s appeal, Britt said he "would be extremely shocked if they changed it. I think it is a dead issue."
"I do feel extremely bad for the [Hanahan] kids. It is not their fault by any means. The kids did what they were supposed to do and what the coach asked them to do. Unfortunately, I have to fight for my kids too. [Hanahan] broke the rules and we all have to follow them."
