Gaffney's Garrett Woodworth was among 11 wrestlers to advance to the Upperstate tournament. Gaffney High wrestling coach Thomas Voelker was almost speechless after his team’s performance at Thursday’s Region III-4A tournament.

Gaffney’s Randy Hopson claimed the region championship with a 4-3 win in the finals of the 140 lbs. weight class. Hopson will be joined by 10 other Indians at the Upperstate tournament on Feb. 19-20.

The top four wrestlers in each weight class advance to the Upperstate tournament.

“To get 11 wrestlers to advance is really something,” Voelker said. “I really don’t know what to say. I’m just really proud of the guys, even the guys who didn’t make it wrestled great.”

Hopson won his final match in dramatic fashion by earning a 2-point takedown with :02 left on the clock.

“He just really wanted it bad,” Voelker said. “He worked really hard and did a great job in practice all week.”

Freshman Thomas Diones continued his impressive season by finishing second at 152 lbs. Jared Barnhill (189 lbs.) and Sam Tedder (215 lbs.) also finished second in their weight classes.

Other Gaffney wrestlers to advance include Blake Phillips (119 lbs.), Garrett Woodworth (130 lbs.), Jaquar Lindsay (135 lbs.), Axl Bartlett (140 lbs.), Ryan Wright (160 lbs.), Wesley Henderson (171 lbs.) and Jacob Fowlkes (heavyweight).

“Right now, we’ll practice hard to prepare for the Upperstate,” Voelker said.