A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE West-Oak High School wrestling TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A STELLAR SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the West-Oak High School wrestling team of Oconee County captured the team's second consecutive state trophy at the tournament held at Dreher High School in Columbia on Saturday, February 11, 2023; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their delighted fans, the West-Oak Warriors defeated Aynor High School decisively 51-15, garnering the program's seventh state championship since 1994 and ending the season with a 39-1 record; and

Whereas, the Aynor Blue Jackets managed to take the first two matches in the heavyweight and the 106 pound classes by decisions, but West-Oak took eight of the remaining matches by wins and lost only one other contested match of the tournament to Aynor; and

Whereas, the warriors had four individual state champions: AJ DeLaCruz, Teague Strobel, Jaxton Freeman, and Marcus Thaxton.  Five of the West-Oak grapplers reached one hundred career wins.  The team produced eight All-State wrestlers, and Jaxton Freeman, Cael Davis, and Damein Thaxton were invited to participate in the North-South All-Star Tournament; and

Whereas, in just his second year of coaching the Warriors, Head Coach Derek Strobel has managed to lead the team to as many state championships; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands mental fortitude and individual excellence, Coach Strobel and his skilled assistant coaches capitalized on their own athletic ability and experience to forge a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the mats; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the pride and recognition that the West-Oak wrestlers 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 West-Oak High School wrestling team, coaches, and school officials for a stellar season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Class AAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Brandon Blackwell, principal of West-Oak High School, and to Coach Derek Strobel.

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