Hanahan wrestling is rebuilding

Hanahan High School had one of the state’s best wrestling runs of the decade, winning state titles in 2011 and ’12, while capturing second place in 2010 and ’13.
As the Hawks’ current season unwinds, veteran coach Ray Adkins has been asked the proverbial talent question: Are the Hawks reloading or rebuilding?
Adkins, who is in his 13th year at the helm of the program, doesn’t even pause to answer. “Oh, we’re definitely rebuilding,” said the coach whose team was 3-3 entering this week’s schedule. “We’re young, but I am pleased with the effort. We have kids who are giving it 100 percent for the entire six minutes. That’s all you can ask for.”
The Hawks finished second in Region 8-AAA last year to Beaufort, which went on to win the Class AAA Lower State title. Adkins looks for Beaufort and Hilton Head to be forces in the conference this winter. Hanahan? The Hawks don’t even have a complete lineup right now, but that should change by the time the Hawks do business in region competition.
Hanahan was the preseason No. 16 in Class AAA by SCMAT but has only two seniors, and two or three juniors on the roster. The rest are freshmen and sophomores.
The talent is youthful, but the goal remains the same. The team hopes to compete for the region tile and Adkins hopes to send numerous wrestlers to the state to compete in the individual championships.
“Each kid’s goal is to qualify and win the state,” Adkins said. “Every year, there are freshmen who win state titles. It’s just a matter of putting in the work and giving it your best for the six minutes.”
The team’s most experienced and talented wrestlers are the team captains: Dalton Coker and Jacob Van Maanen. Coker qualified for the state last winter in the 138-pound division while Van Maanen’s dream of competing in the big meet ended with a hand injury late in the season.
The team got a boost in talent when Alex Todd transferred in from Lugoff-Elgin. He will compete in the 182-pound classification. He missed most of last season with an injury, but Adkins says he has potential and is a good-looking athlete.
Pierce Emerine, who qualified for junior varsity state last winter at 138 pounds, will compete at either 145 or 152.
Other wrestlers Adkins is counting on include Brooks Cribb, Brendan Green, Tyell Grant, Darvon Darby Cameron Gore, Akil Dunn, Andrew Perry, Michael Marion and Jackson Barnwell.
The Hawks had matches this week against Academic Magnet and James Island and another one against Georgetown and North Charleston.
The Hawks get their first big test of the year when they compete in the Cane Bay Invitational. That match also includes Ashley Ridge and Summerville.
“It will be good to see where we are at and where we need to be,” Adkins said. “It will be a good experience for our younger wrestlers. Our goal is to get each wrestler 30 matches this year, which is a full year’s experience.”