By Thomas Grant, Jr.
Several Lake Murray–area wrestling programs are entering the season with statewide recognition, as nine local teams were included in the South Carolina Wrestling Coaches Association preseason polls across multiple classifications.
In Class 5A Division I, three Lake Murray schools earned spots in the Top 20. Lexington is ranked 11th, River Bluff comes in at No. 16, and Dutch Fork is ranked 19th, reflecting the strength and depth of wrestling in the region’s largest classification.
Class 4A features Gilbert at No. 5, making the Indians one of the highest-ranked Lake Murray teams in any division heading into the season.
In Class 3A, Swansea checks in at No. 11, while Class 2A includes Pelion at No. 13 and Mid-Carolina at No. 20, giving the area representation in nearly every boys classification.
Local programs are also well represented in the girls preseason poll. River Bluff is ranked No. 3 in the state, while White Knoll earned the No. 6 spot, highlighting the continued growth and competitiveness of girls wrestling around Lake Murray.
With nine teams appearing in the preseason rankings, the Lake Murray area is once again positioned as one of the state’s strongest regions for high school wrestling as the new season gets underway.
