Sports

COLUMBIA, S.C.- The Clover High School wrestling team became the SC 5A Wrestling State Champions for the first time in the school’s history. The Dirty Birds defeated James Island 34-31 after a long, hard season. Head Coach Michael Fitzgerald started this program 24 years ago. While the program has experienced ups and downs, including some individual state championships, this is the first team win. Fitzgerald credits the team’s success to getting the right people on the coaching staff and building from there. Fitzgerald shared his feelings about the win as well. “Winning the state championship, the first wrestling state championship in school history for wrestling, definitely was a big moment. It couldn’t have been done without my assistant coaches, our wrestlers, the parents of our wrestlers, the administration, and the support from the faculty and staff. So it’s a true team victory across the board”. In the press conference before the state championship, Fitzgerald spoke about the season. “We were intentional about scheduling tough matches in front of our wrestlers, learning through losses and stacking wins.” As a result, they won important matchups throughout the season to make it to the championship match. Fitzgerald shared, “We are ready to embrace the opportunity we have here on Wednesday.” According to Fitzgerald, there were multiple standouts on the team and all worked hard throughout the season. Winning against the likes of Boiling Springs and Blythewood, picking up wins in dual matches, and beating a few perennial power schools in North and South Carolina helped build the confidence needed to take the state title. Wrestler Owen Tatum believed their winning factor throughout the season was having a great coach like Fitzgerald and being willing to go the extra mile to get their win. Throughout the season, the team focused on their belief in each other, acknowledging that the only thing they could control was themselves, and worked to improve every day. That focus helped them understand each other’s abilities during practice and gave them the confidence to push through each match and work to make each other better than the day before. They put in the work all the way to the end of the season. Wrestler Keller Brunnelson spoke of the team mindset heading into the match, “Overall, we are pretty confident, everybody is just focused to go out there and really put their best foot forward, going out there and wrestling with the mindset that we’re gonna leave it all on the mat.” And leave it all on the mat they did, and they brought home the trophy to prove it.

In a touching display of love and remembrance, two brothers, Landon and Grady Stone, have taken to the football field this season with their mother’s spirit guiding them. After the untimely passing of their mother, Kathy Stone, due to breast cancer last year, the boys have not only honored her memory but also fulfilled a dream she cherished: seeing them play together.

Clover Girls’ Basketball Team Thrives with Strong Start to Season

The swim teams have been going very well since the beginning of the season. Currently, they have more swimmers than ever who have completed all 8 events. They’re averaging about 20-25 best times each meet. Which is showing progress from not only swimming new events but also swimming events that you’ve swam repeatedly throughout the season.

CLOVER, S.C. - As the winter sports season kicks off, Roaring Eagle reporters reached out to coaches for insight into their goals and priorities for the upcoming season. From strengthening team dynamics to refining individual skills, each coach has a unique focus as they prepare their teams for success. Here’s what they had to say about their strategies and expectations for the season ahead.

CLOVER, SC – Clover High School was buzzing with energy on Friday night as the Blue Eagles faced off against the Indian Land Warriors in a riveting homecoming football game at Clover Memorial Stadium. The Eagles secured a victory, winning 21 - 7, delighting a spirited crowd decked out in pink in support of breast cancer.