Cardinal Newman Wrestling Wins 3rd Straight State Title

Cardinal Newman High School wrestling coach Cole McCarter fought back tears as he watched his team celebrate their third straight state championship on Wednesday night. Just eight years ago, when he took over the program, he couldn't imagine this moment would ever come.

McCarter, a Cardinal Newman alum himself, endured four straight semifinal losses while rebuilding the struggling program. The losses were so painful that he seriously considered walking away from coaching. But his school's administration kept believing in him, and he kept believing in the process.

That faith paid off spectacularly. The Cardinals defeated Ben Lippen 54-22 at home to claim their third consecutive SCISA wrestling championship. The win marks a stunning turnaround for a program that couldn't break through to the finals not long ago.

The match didn't start well. Ben Lippen jumped out to a 12-0 lead with two quick pins and later led 23-12. But senior Ethan Ash delivered the turning point the Cardinals needed at 190 pounds.

Ash had lost to his opponent Jackson Flynn in just 45 seconds earlier this season. This time, he rallied from behind to pin Flynn and give Cardinal Newman a 25-23 lead they would never relinquish. "If you really want anything enough, you can get it if you try hard enough," Ash said after the match.

The Cardinals won the final five matches to seal the championship. Eight different Newman wrestlers recorded wins, showing the program's depth and strength across weight classes.

Why This Inspires

McCarter credits his school's emphasis on culture and the total buy-in from everyone at Cardinal Newman. But more than anything, he sees athletes who genuinely love their sport. "They are all in on wrestling and want to be part of this program," he said.

The championship is even sweeter considering the recent history between these two programs. Ben Lippen won three straight titles from 2021 to 2023 before Cardinal Newman started their current streak. Together, the two schools have claimed the last six state championships, creating one of the best rivalries in South Carolina high school wrestling.

For McCarter, the journey from those painful semifinal losses to three championships proves what persistence and belief can accomplish. Sometimes the best stories come from those who stick around when quitting would be easier.