SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 3-7-22

A.J. Dickerson (West-Oak) - 4x State Champion

A.J. Dickerson of West-Oak became a 4x SC 3A State Champion on February 26, 2022.

Here are some of the accomplishments A.J. had as he wrapped up his Senior season:

Recognized by the SCWCA as the 2022 3A Senior Wrestler of the Year.

Became the first West-Oak wrestler to win 4 State Individual Titles.

Led West-Oak to the 2022 3A Team State Title.

You may recall from our last SCMAT Exclusive, David Hunsberger of Byrnes would hold the SC record amongst 4x State Champions, for a brief 36 minutes on the night of February 26 2022, as spanning the most weight classes and weight differential between his Freshman State Title and his Senior State Title.

Hunsberger spanned 9 weight classes and a 54 pound weight differential across his 4 State Titles (106, 132, 152, 160).

A.J. Dickerson would set the new mark after his 182 lbs. State Finals Title, 36 minutes after Hunsberger's 160 lbs. State Finals Title.

Dickerson spanned 10 weight classes and a 69 pound weight differential across his 4 State Titles (113, 132, 160, 189).

There it is again, dedicated time in the weight room!

SIDEBAR - How many 4x State Champions have also earned a Team State Title?

Only half of the twenty-five 4x State Champions have also been on a Team State Title team ... here they are (with the year of the team State Title(s) in bold:

4x Individual State Champion + 1x Team Champion:
A.J. Dickerson - West-Oak (2022 182 1st, 2021 160 1st, 2020 132 1st, 2019 113 1st - 3A)
Aaron Hansen - Summerville (2011, 125 1st, 2010 125 1st, 2009 119 1st, 2008 112 1st - 4A)

4x Individual State Champion + 2x Team Champion:
Clay Walker - Eastside (2014 132 1st, 2013 138 1st, 2012 126 1st, 2011 125 1st - 3A)
Jonathon Willard - Loris (2008 189 1st, 2007 189 1st, 2006 189 1st, 2005 171 1st - 2A-1A)

4x Individual State Champion + 3x Team Champion:
Dalton Harper - Chesterfield (2008 140 1st, 2007 130 1st, 2006 125 1st, 2005 112 1st - 2A-1A)
Matt Leach - Eastside (2006 135 1st, 2005 125 1st, 2004 103 1st, 2003 103 1st - 3A)
Ben Connell - Lugoff-Elgin (2000 275 1st, 1999 215 1st, 1998 215 1st, 1997 215 1st - 3A)
Barnell Mack - Swansea (1981 175 1st, 1980 175 1st, 1979 155 1st, 1978 132 1st - 2A-1A)
Carl Van Sewell - Airport (1978 155 1st - 4A, 1977 155 1st, 1976 155 1st, 1975 145 1st - 4A-3A-2A-1A)

4x Individual State Champion + 4x Team Champion:
Ian Harper - Chesterfield (2010 135 1st, 2009 125 1st, 2008 119 1st, 2007 112 1st - 2A-1A)
Eddie Coles - Eastside (2009 135 1st, 2008 119 1st, 2007 112 1st, 2006 103 1st - 3A)
Corbin Martin - Eastside (2008 160 1st, 2007 140 1st, 2006 125 1st, 2005 112 1st - 3A)
J.C. Oddo - Eastside (2007 189 1st, 2006 189 1st, 2005 171 1st, 2004 135 1st - 3A)

With A.J. Dickerson becoming the first West-Oak wrestler to win 4 State Titles, it was a big moment for West-Oak's storied wrestling program! Why? It took West-Oak out of second place for the most 3 timers without a 4 timer. Let's look at the list of six West-Oak wrestlers with 3 State Titles:

Three time State Champions from West-Oak:
Ryan Dobbs - West-Oak (2019-2021)
Matthew Williams - West-Oak (2018-2020)
Gavin James- West-Oak (2016-2018)
Eric Rholetter - West-Oak (2006-2008)
Chip Sandifer - West-Oak (1998-2000)
Adam Duncan - West-Oak (1994-1996)

The only two teams now that have 5 or more 3x State Champions, without a 4x State Champion for the school, are Bamberg-Ehrhardt and Rock Hill ... surprised?!!!

Three time State Champions from Bamberg-Ehrhardt:
Ty'Quez Stuckey - Bamberg-Ehrhardt (2019-2021)
Jackson Stembridge - Bamberg-Ehrhardt (2018-2020)
KeSean Brown - Bamberg-Ehrhardt (2017-2019)
Freeman Cooler - Bamberg-Ehrhardt (2004-2006)
Rodney Wallace - Bamberg-Ehrhardt (1999-2001)

Three time State Champions from Rock Hill:
Bailey Wilkins - Rock Hill (2017-2019)
Weston Beck - Rock Hill (2008, 2009, 2011)
Marcus Cherry - Rock Hill (1998-2000)
Chris Collins - Rock Hill (1996, 1997, 1999)
Lamont Hicks - Rock Hill (1995-1997)
Corey Dye - Rock Hill (1989-1991)
James Jones - Rock Hill (1989-1991)
Keith Harris - Rock Hill (1985-1987)
Kevin Nichols - Rock Hill (1984-1986)
Rodney Hinton - Rock Hill (1982-1984)
Wes Hallman - Rock Hill (1978-1980)

A.J. Dickerson (West-Oak) - 2022 State Finals

A.J. Dickerson (West-Oak) - 2022 State Finals

A.J. Dickerson (West-Oak) - 2022 State Finals

A.J. Dickerson (West-Oak) - 2022 State Finals

Here are the results from the four State Tournaments for Dickerson:

2022 3A State Tournament - 182 lbs.
AJ Dickerson placed 1st and scored 22.5 team points.
Quarterfinal - AJ Dickerson (West Oak) won by major decision over DiVon Woods (Lakewood) (MD 11-2)
Semifinal - AJ Dickerson (West Oak) won by tech fall over Dreshaun Brown (Battery Creek) (TF-1.5 5:16 (21-5))
1st Place Match - AJ Dickerson (West Oak) won by fall over Jackson Caulder (Gilbert) (Fall 5:05)

2021 3A State Tournament - 160 lbs.
AJ Dickerson placed 1st and scored 21.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - AJ Dickerson (West-Oak) received a bye Bye)
Semifinal - AJ Dickerson (West-Oak) won by fall over Josh Moss (Chapman) (Fall 2:59)
1st Place Match - AJ Dickerson (West-Oak) won by major decision over Parker Graham (North Charleston) (MD 14-3)

2020 3A State Tournament - 132 lbs.
A.J. Dickerson placed 1st and scored 22.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - A.J. Dickerson (West-Oak) won by fall over Josh Moore (Academic Magnet) (Fall 1:56)
Semifinal - A.J. Dickerson (West-Oak) won by fall over Noah Johns (Woodruff) (Fall 5:16)
1st Place Match - A.J. Dickerson (West-Oak) won by decision over Weston Nguyen (Indian Land) (Dec 7-6)

2019 3A State Tournament - 113 lbs.
AJ Dickerson placed 1st and scored 21.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - AJ Dickerson (West-Oak) won by fall over Sean Healy (Academic Magnet) (Fall 1:21)
Semifinal - AJ Dickerson (West-Oak) won by major decision over Brenden Lopez (Broome) (MD 14-1)
1st Place Match - AJ Dickerson (West-Oak) won by decision over Brennen Crout (Gilbert) (Dec 8-5)

Congratulations to A.J. Dickerson on becoming the 25th South Carolina wrestler to be a 4x State Champion ... and for his 2022 Team State Title at West-Oak!

thanks,

Mark Buford

SCMAT