George Maholtz, Four-Time State Westling Champion
- Charles Reams 1
- Mar 4
- 2 min read
Eastside's George Maholtz and BHP's Jayden Morris win fourth wrestling state championships
Maholtz, the No. 1 seed in the 157-pound weight class, defeated Brody Bailey of Carolina Forest 10-9.
Numerous other Upstate wrestlers secured state championships in their respective weight classes and classifications.
Serenity State of Gaffney and Bianca Connell of Mauldin claimed state titles in the girls' division.
Wrestling picture caption:
Westside High wrestler Kevon Galloway pinned Laurens High's Gage Kemph in the 150-pound weight class during the consolation bracket of the 2025 SCHSL 4A Upper State at Westside High in Anderson, S.C. Saturday, February 15, 2025.
This was the fourth state championship for Eastside wrestler George Maholtz and was the most dramatic.
Maholtz scored a point with 16 seconds left Saturday, and the No. 1 seed of the 157-pound division in the SCHSL Class AAAAA high school finals beat No. 2 seed Brody Bailey of Carolina Forest, 10-9, at the Florence Center.
Maholtz had a 7-0 lead through the first period, but Bailey came back and tied it 9-9 in the final 30 seconds.
In Class AAA, Jayden Morris of Belton-Honea Path also won his fourth state title and did so in dominant fashion, beating Kayden Alford of Loris by technical fall, 15-0, in the 126 division. Morris won the 120-pound championship as a freshman and is a three-time winner at 126.
It was Maholtz's first championship at the Class AAAAA level. He was Class AAAA champion at 126 pounds as a freshman, 145 pounds as a sophomore and 150 pounds last season. He was 56-4 this season.
The Upstate flooded Florence with state championship qualifiers, and 43 wrestlers made it to the finals.
It was Maholtz's first championship at the Class AAAAA level. He was Class AAAA champion at 126 pounds as a freshman, 145 pounds as a sophomore and 150 pounds last season. He was 56-4 this season.
Finals featured matchups between Upstate rivals
There were 10 state championship matches between Upstate wrestlers.
In Class AAAA, No. 1 seed Stiles Stevens of Travelers Rest beat No. 3 seed Isaiah Simmons of Southside, 10-8, in the 106 division. Jarrett Clinkscales of Westside beat No. 3 seed Xeviel Gonzalez Fountain Inn, 8-3, at 215 pounds.
