Wrestling claims the title of Lower State Champions after defeating James Island Wednesday February 5, 2025 . Panthers dominated holding a 38-12 lead and were able to forfeit the last 4 weight classes giving James Island 24 points and pushing the final score to appear closer than it was 38-36. The Panthers will head to the State Championship Saturday February 8, 2025 vs Boiling Springs at Dreher High School at 8pm.
Carolina Forest dominated at the lower state finals match on Wednesday Feb 5th against James Island, securing their spot at the 5A-Div 1 state finals on Saturday Feb 8th.
The match started at the 150 weight class, where Josh Brown fought hard against a highly ranked wrestler. The Panthers got some momentum when Preston Crone (157) won via tech fall, and then Brody Bailey (165) pinned his opponent.
The upper weights battled back and forth, with losses for Eric Goss (175) and George Handley (215), but the Panthers got some big points on the board with pins from Bryson Dale (190) and heavyweight Qui'len (KJ) Johnson.
Then the lower weights continued the momentum, with a pin for Bradley Miller (106) and win by tech fall for Joseph Britt (113) and a decisive win by major for Isaac De Medeiros (120).
With the score 38-12 the Panthers secured the win, so coach Coach Perdue forfeited the remaining four matches of Tyler Patterson (126), Calvin Grover (132), Tristan Greene or Cooper McMahon (138), and Amari Johnson(144). The end score was 38 Carolina Forest, 36 James Island.
The energy in the gym was electric, as everyone from the wrestlers, parents and the large crowd of CF teachers and students (that had taken a bus for the almost three hour journey) cheered for the victory.

Good luck to the Panthers at the state finals!