Charlotte Latin wrestlers win another title

Correspondent

Richard Fletcher and his Charlotte Latin wrestling team expect to compete for championships every year.

This season, the Hawks won their second straight NCISAA state title by 31 points over Providence Day.

Fletcher coached a team with five individual state champions: Billy McClelland (122), Charlie Horvath (140), Alex Julian (184), Sam Wilson (222) and Toby Okwara (287). Matthew Bredder (162) was state runner-up.

Providence Day finished second at the state meet, led by Tanner Love’s individual NCISAA state title (134).

Charlotte Christian’s Charlie Rand (128) also won a NCISAA individual state crown.

South Mecklenburg also had a season to remember as coach Scott Kendrick and the Sabres brought home their first Southwestern 4A championship since 1987. Klevar Mason (132), Brett Barber (138) and Joseph Coss (145) won conference championships for the Sabres.

Charlotte Catholic was ME-GA 7 conference champions, and finished sixth at the 3A Midwest Regional.

All-South Charlotte News wrestler of the year: Chase Hayes, Charlotte Catholic – Chase Hayes accomplished nearly everything in his Charlotte Catholic wrestling career. Except winning a state championship.

He came up one point short in his final shot at an 3A state individual title, losing 4-3 to Forestview’s Collin Munson at 152 pounds. He also finished as state runner-up his sophomore year.

Hayes, a senior who was 49-3 this year, won a ME-GA 7 conference title, the Mecklenburg County title and the Jim Hayes’ Invitational championship, where he was named most outstanding wrestler.

Hayeswas also the 3A West Regional runner-up to Munson.

All-South Charlotte News wrestling coach of the year: Richard Fletcher, Charlotte Latin – This year, Richard Fletcher won his ninth NCISAA state wrestling championships in a 23-year tenure as Charlotte Latin’s coach.

The Hawks, who have finished no worse than fourth in the state since 2000, also won their fifth state title since 2003.

Fletcher and his Latin team should be contenders again next year with two individual state champions, Billy McClelland and Toby Okwara, expected to return.

All-South Charlotte News wrestling

106: Ryan Keefe, Providence High, Fr.: SW4A champion also fourth at regionals, state qualifier.

113: Jose Cadena, Myers Park, Sr.: MVP of SW4A tournament, SW4A champion and 4A West Regional runner-up.

120: Billy McClelland, Charlotte Latin, So.: Won his second straight NCISAA state title.

126: Charlie Rand, Charlotte Christian, So.: Rand won NCISAA state title at 128.

132: Tanner Love, Providence Day, Jr.: NCISAA state champion at 134 pound-class.

138: Charlie Horvath, Charlotte Latin, Sr.: Horvath won NCISAA title at 140 pounds.

145: Joseph Coss, South Mecklenburg, Jr.: Sabre standout won SW4A title, regional qualifier.

152: Chase Hayes, Charlotte Catholic, Sr.: 3A state and regional runner-up, won ME-GA 7 title.

160: Reid Foley, Myers Park, Sr.: SW4A champion is a versatile athlete, committed to play lacrosse at Air Force next season.

170: Nick Colucciello, Providence High, Sr.: Panthers’ senior was SW4A champion, third at regionals.

182: Alex Julian, Charlotte Latin, Sr.: Julian won NCISAA state title at 184 pounds.

195: Brian Tiderman, Independence, Jr.: SW4A champion, third at regionals, sixth at states.

220: Alexander Crockett, Myers Park, Sr. and Sam Wilson, Charlotte Latin, Sr.: SW4A champion also won 4A West Regional title; Wilson won NCISAA state title.

285: Demetree Hardison, Independence, Sr. and Toby Okwara, Charlotte Latin, So.: Hardison was SW4A champion and also won the 4A West Regional title in a marathon match. Okwara won private school heavyweight title.