This past Wednesday (January 24th) marked the final city championship for Wilson’s wrestling team. Despite placing third overall, the team’s performance was hindered by forfeiting matches due to a lack of participants in specific weight classes. Impressively, none of the wrestlers lost a match. Coach Barksdale expressed satisfaction in his team, acknowledging the challenge they faced.

     The Tigers narrowly lost to South Florence by 3 points, who ultimately claimed first place. The setback against South Florence resulted from four forfeited matches which were caused by an absence of certain weight classes. Similarly against West Florence, a 9-point loss was incurred for the same reason. Coach Barksdale worked to identify improvement, noting that the lower weight class wrestlers need more experience and refinement. Looking ahead, he is optimistic about working with the lower weight class, anticipating to enhance their skills and experiences on the mat. Riding a wave of anticipation, the Wilson Tigers are preparing for an upcoming regional tournament. 

     Over the weekend, Jalen and Jaden Boston (both sophomores) proved undefeated. Their astounding performance contributed to the team’s overall success, securing a commendable third place. The competition was fierce, involving bouts against four other teams. The challenges posed by these teams made the quench for victory even more satisfying, showcasing the resilience and skill of the wrestling squad. The weekend’s events not only celebrated the individual triumphs, but also underscored the cohesiveness of the team. 

     The Tigers are preparing for the upcoming city championship with unwavering focus. Notably, Tyrese Mungo's commitment to success shines through his involvement in the recent Bulldog Showdown. The pre-championship event provided a crucial testing ground where he faced top wrestlers, refining his skills and adapting strategies. Demonstrating leadership qualities, Tyrese emerged as a standout on the mat where his coach noticed a heightened level of aggression. This energy proved contagious, as the team soon embraced a more assertive approach. 
     The experiences from the Bulldog Showdown have undoubtedly deepened the team's determination to excel in the city championship, a sentiment echoed by Coach Barksdale who expressed satisfaction with the aggression displayed by his wrestlers. He believes that his team will excel in their upcoming tournament and individual matches. 
Stay tuned to see  what happens in their upcoming tournament at South Florence.

     Victoria Mack is a senior wrestler at Wilson High School. She was born and raised in Florence, South Carolina. Her mom does not work due to her underlying health conditions. Sadly her dad passed away so he is not around. Although she is faced with some tough conditions, she still finds a way to still come out on top. She practices this by having a positive mindset and putting her best foot forward.

     Victoria has been to three different elementary schools; Lester, Carver, and Timrod. When she attended Williams Middle School, she played basketball and volleyball. Her favorite song is “Love Song” by Toosii. She enjoys reading when she does not have wrestling matches or practices. Her favorite wrestling moment at Wilson was when she was introduced to the team and learned what wrestling was about. She wants to attend the University of South Carolina and study photography or graphic design.

   Wilson High School managed to hold the wrestling tournament, despite the storm. The gym was filled, which was a really respectable turnout. Out of twelve teams that competed, the Tigers finished fifth. The victories were won individually more than a collective. Multiple wrestlers from Wilson finished in the top five of their weight divisions. Junior Tyriece Mungo and freshman Kameron Esaw finished third. The juniors Joshua Faircloth and Jalen Boston finished third. Marquis Mack and Jaden Boston placed fourth place. The next game is later in the week. Their goal is to emerge victorious in the City Championship.

     After a tough loss yesterday, Jalen Boston was chosen for the spotlight. This is because when competing in yesterday’s match, he was told he needed to win, which he went on to fight for. 

     Jalen Boston’s favorite song is by Nicknxtdoor! which is called “Summer Time '' on the  album I Hate My Generation. He is from Florence where he has lived his entire life. Patrick Mahomes and Lebron James are two athletes that Jalen Looks up to and the Kansas City Chiefs is his favorite NFL team. He participates in two other sports, that being track and football (where he is a linebacker). When asked about his future aspirations, Jalen stated that he didn’t exactly know what he wanted to do but he knows he wants to go to college for engineering. Two colleges he is interested in attending are the University of South Carolina and Clemson University.

    Wilson High School’s wrestling team faced a setback in their match against Hartsville, leading to a score of 48-30. Despite losing by 18 points, the coach acknowledged areas needing improvement for the next match. He emphasized the importance of addressing specific issues. The team encountered several challenges, particularly in missing weight classes which contributed to the overall outcome of the 14 matches played.

     Notable performances include: 10th-grade wrestler Amir Gee who faced a defending state champion and 11th-grade wrestler Joshua Faircloth who contended with a formidable opponent that wrestled aggressively. Another performance came from a 10th-grade wrestler who engaged in a close match, ultimately losing by only 5 points.

     Looking ahead, the team is determined to refine their skills and strategize for success in the upcoming matches. Stay tuned for updates on their progress and performances in future competitions.

     Ernest Barksdale, the Wilson Tigers Wrestling team coach, eagerly anticipates the upcoming season with excitement for both returning and new members.

      He emphasizes the team's improved preparation, especially for off-season workouts, expressing confidence and high hopes for a strong regional performance. Notably, he commends senior James Williams' leadership and applauds the coaching staff. Returning members, such as Jaden Boston, Jalen Boston, Marquis Mack, and Joshua Faircloth, receive special mention, with Barnesdale highlighting Faircloth's increased strength.

      Underlining a desire for heightened aggression and skill development, Barksdale encourages his players to view wrestling as dynamic human interaction, not a robotic endeavor. He emphasizes mentality, quoting, "One man against another man; the strongest one will come out on top." Addressing past issues, he notes the resolution of last year's absence in certain weight classes with the addition of new players. The team's rivalry with South Florence, last year's region champs, adds anticipation to the challenges ahead. 

    Meet Makayla Coleman, a 10th-grade wrestler with a passion for sports. Born in Houston, Texas, she moved to South Carolina shortly after. Despite only wrestling for two years, Makayla finds joy in the sport. 

     Her love for sports extends beyond wrestling; she is an active member of the SGA club at Wilson High School where students contribute to community service. Makayla’s involvement reflects her altruistic nature, having a big heart and enjoying helping others.

     Makayla’s favorite food is sushi (without a specific preference) and her preferred color is yellow. Most of her hobbies revolve around sports, particularly track and wrestling. Engaging in sports aligns with her dream of becoming a travel nurse, showcasing her commitment to community service. 

     While uncertain about her career path, Makayla’s favorite subject is English, driven by her love for reading. She aspires to attend South Carolina State and study Sports Medicine upon arrival. 

    In essence, Makayla Coleman is more than just a wrestler. She is a compassionate individual dedicated to making a positive impact in her community.