The No. 1-ranked St. James wrestling squad’s quest for the Class AAA state championship came to a disappointing end Wednesday in the same round and to the same team as last year’s near-miss.
After falling to Chapin at home in last year’s Lower State Final, the Sharks took a 3 1/2-hour trip to the Eagles’ home gym on Wednesday only to suffer the same fate.
But this time it was by the narrowest of margins. Chapin defeated St. James 33-32 in the hard-fought Lower State Final to advance to the state championship round.
Individual results were not immediately available but it was the first loss of the season for the Sharks in a dual match. They finish the season 23-1.
The Sharks still have several opportunities for individual state titles, like reigning state champion and top-ranked John Van Slooten in the 152-pound division.
St. James has nine starters carrying top seeds into the Feb. 18 Class AAA Lower State individual meet at North Myrtle Beach High and 14 qualifiers overall.
- Photo by Rancier Photography
