Byrnes and Eastside wrestling are set to face off Thursday night for the 5-A Region 2 championship.
The match — which will be at Byrnes — pits the Iron Eagles and their immaculate 33-straight region title streak against the Rebels. Both teams sit at 5-0 in region play this season.
“Byrnes is really, really talented. We know that. We’ve wrestled Byrnes for years and years,” said Eastside head coach Jack Kosmicki. “Some of the best teams in this program’s history have lost to Byrnes. They’re a really good wrestling program. You can never take them lightly.”
Eastside’s incredible 33-year region title streak is being put to the test in a true region title match for the first time in several years.
Kosmicki says his team is motivated to keep the tradition going and, equally, not to be the group that breaks the streak.
“There’s pressure that comes with a streak like that,” said Kosmicki. “Especially within our senior class. You don’t want to be the class that loses it. When you come back to our alumni events and talk about ‘your class,’ you’re referring to what you did as seniors. You don’t wanna be the ones that broke the streak.”
Eastside senior wrestler Peyton Schrader echoed Kosmicki’s sentiments. He knows what’s at stake for his Iron Eagles — and what the Rebels bring to the table.
“There’s excitement within the team right now. You could feel it at practice leading up to the match,” said Schrader. “I feel ready. I know the whole team is ready. And we know Byrnes is a good team that’s going to come out swinging.
“They have nothing to lose. We have everything to lose.”
Byrnes head coach Kane Pruitt has helped guide his Rebels to one of their best seasons in recent history. Byrnes is currently ranked No. 7 in the state in Class 5-A and has a plethora of wrestlers vying for individual state titles.
But Pruitt knows the challenge that Eastside — team state champions nine of the last 10 years — presents.
“Eastside’s tough. Very tough,” said Pruitt. “We feel like we’ve got enough stellar upperclassmen in our lineup to where if we keep the match close, we can come out on top. But we know without a doubt it’s going to take our absolute best match.”
Byrnes boasts a roster of talented wrestlers from up and down the weight classes, perhaps none more talented than senior Conner Beaudin. Beaudin is a three-time defending state champion.
Seniors Blake Walter and Brett Eagen also star for the Rebels, both coming off weight class championships at last weekend’s Spartanburg County Tournament.
Eastside also boasts a talented roster from top to bottom, headlined by seniors Schrader, Sam Wyland, Hank Lee, and junior Drayton Johnson.
Kosmicki says a match like Thursday’s, however, may come down to some of the “under-the-radar” wrestlers on the card. He made mention of freshman Bennett Brame, specifically.
“Bennett’s one of those kids who isn’t getting a ton of recognition, and we kind of like it that way,” said Kosmicki. “He’s not even touching the rankings in his weight class. But he’s won some huge matches for us this year, and he’s someone we have been able to use as a utility tool. He’s been huge.”
Junior Owen Salvato has also been solid for the Iron Eagles this season. Salvato, who finished second in the 150-lb weight class at last weekend’s Greenville County tournament, spoke about what it means to keep the 33-year region title streak alive.
“Thirty-three years, that’s not an easy thing to do,” said Salvato. “There are a lot of people, a big legacy, riding on our shoulders. Losing the streak, that would be a tough thing to have on you the rest of your life.
“I don’t want that to be on us.”
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