A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Clover High School boys wrestling TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2026 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAAA Division 1 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Clover High wrestling team of York County captured the state title at the state tournament held in Lexington on Wednesday, February 11, 2026; and

 

Whereas, to the thrill of their exuberant fans, the Clover High Blue Eagles defeated first-ranked rival James Island High School in a nail-biting 34-31 final score, finished the season with a 30-3 record, and took the state trophy at the program's first-ever championship appearance; and

 

Whereas, in order to advance to Clover's first state championship appearance, the Blue Eagles had playoff wins over Dutch Fork, 68-12; Boiling Springs, 45-29; and Rock Hill, 40-29; and

 

Whereas, James Island and Clover came into the match ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in class AAAAA rankings. In the state championship match which went back and forth, the Blue Eagles overcame a previous 45-23 loss in regular season to the Islanders on December 30, 2025; and

 

Whereas, a James Island pin at 144 pounds put the Islander's up, but the match came down to the final two matches at 215 pounds and at heavyweight. Jonas Plummer winning on a technical fall at 215 put Clover up 34-28. At heavyweight, Clover's Messiah Outing avoided a pin in the last match to seal the victory; and

 

Whereas, making the varsity state championship all the sweeter, the Clover junior varsity took the junior varsity state title. Colin Gregory and Henry Parker won individual junior varsity state titles; and

 

Whereas, members of the Clover High team included Beckham Boggess, Keller Brunnelson, Chris Conly, Paul Conly, Leo Ferguson, Xavier Gonzales, Colton Gregory, Joey Gutierrez, Luke Hudson, Johnny McClure, Blaine McElheney, Jack Moore, Will Naves, Tyrone Norris III, Messiah Outing, Henry Parker, Jonas Plummer, Casey Rhoden, Noah Robbins, Peyton Rudd, Aedan Santiago, Jamison Smithers, Owen Tatum, Ryder Todd, Liam Vanderveer, Ethan Vaught, Jordan Weatherby, Keygan Western, and Elaina Hodnett; and

 

Whereas, in a sport that requires personal excellence, strength, and strategy, Head Coach Michael Fitzgerald, Assistant Coach Chauncey McElheney, and their skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic ability and training to forge a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the mats; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the pride and recognition that the Clover High grapplers have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued achievements in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Clover High School boys wrestling team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2026 South Carolina Class AAAAA Division 1 State Championship title.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Donna Farris and Coach Michael Fitzgerald.

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