Area Boys Wrestlers Qualify for State Championships

Top qualifiers from Upstate South Carolina advance to SCHSL state tournament

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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High school boys wrestlers from the Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg areas have qualified for the SCHSL state championships after winning their respective weight classes at the Upper State qualifiers on February 14. The top qualifiers in Classes 5A, 4A, 3A, and 2A will now compete at the state tournament in Florence on February 20-21.

Why it matters

The SCHSL state wrestling championships are a highly anticipated annual event that showcases the top high school talent in South Carolina. These local qualifiers have earned the opportunity to compete for state titles, which can lead to college scholarships and further success in the sport.

The details

The local qualifiers include champions in a variety of weight classes across the different classifications. Some of the notable winners were Jake Strickland of Hillcrest in Class 5A 113 lbs, Drayton Johnson of Eastside in Class 5A 120 lbs, and Brody Lawson of Broome in Class 3A 144 lbs.

  • The Upper State qualifiers took place on February 14, 2026.
  • The SCHSL state wrestling championships will be held on February 20-21, 2026 in Florence, South Carolina.

The players

Jake Strickland

A wrestler from Hillcrest High School who won the Class 5A 113 lb weight class at the Upper State qualifiers.

Drayton Johnson

A wrestler from Eastside High School who won the Class 5A 120 lb weight class at the Upper State qualifiers.

Brody Lawson

A wrestler from Broome High School who won the Class 3A 144 lb weight class at the Upper State qualifiers.

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What’s next

The state wrestling championships will take place on February 20-21, 2026 in Florence, South Carolina, where the local qualifiers will compete for individual state titles.

The takeaway

The success of these local wrestlers at the Upper State qualifiers demonstrates the strength of the high school wrestling programs in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Their advancement to the state tournament is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the sport.