Division I's loss could be Spartanburg Methodist's gain as three-time Class A state wrestling champion Freeman Cooler signed to wrestle for the Pioneers next season.

The Bamberg-Ehrhardt star went 44-2 this season en route to his third straight state title.

"Freeman is a spectacular athlete, and actually passed Rodney Wallace for all-time wins at Bamberg-Ehrhardt," B-E head wrestling coach Derek Ayers said. "I don't think you get much better than that."

Flanked by his parents and SMC assistant wrestling coach Adam Haymond, Cooler signed on the dotted line and will continue his wrestling career at the next level.

"Getting an athlete of Freeman's caliber is really special for Spartanburg Methodist," Haymond said. "He's one of those blue-chip athletes that will be the total package. He's smart, athletic and an all-around good guy."

There's no mistaking Cooler's intelligence. While most seniors are beginning to think about graduation and summer vacation, Cooler continues to work hard in the classroom. So hard that his signing had to be at 11 a.m. so he could sit through his AP Calculus review session.

"We targeted Freeman early in the process," Haymond said. "He has a great reputation for being a kid with great character. All the coaches in the area have nothing but good things to say about him. We sent letters, called him, visited -- basically did all we could to make sure he came to wrestle for us."

Haymond said Cooler has the potential to be one of the best wrestlers to come into the Spartanburg Methodist program and hopes to have him go on to bigger and better things.

"We see Freeman taking hold of a leadership position right off the bat," Haymond said. "He's going to bring a lot to SMC and we can definitely see him as a team captain later on down the road. We're going to market him to every Division I school in the country in hopes that he's able to move on from SMC and continue his wrestling career. I think SMC is going to benefit a lot from Freeman Cooler."

Cooler said the process that brought him to Spartanburg Methodist was an easy one.

"I attended a few colleges around the state to see what they had to offer, but it wasn't until I visited Spartanburg that I knew that this was where I wanted to continue wrestling," Cooler said. "All the coaches and wrestlers treated me well, and it felt like home. Coming from a small school, I was looking for something like that. I felt like I was a member of the team even before I signed."

Cooler has lettered in wrestling, football and baseball, and probably could have gone to a school to play any of those sports, but he chose wrestling as the sport to continue into his college career.

"I always give 100 percent in every activity I take part in, but I've always liked wrestling and that's the sport I wanted to pursue after high school," Cooler said. "After my grandfather died, I kept going back to what he said about wrestling; he always talked about wrestling. I just wanted to do this and maybe give him something to look down on and smile about."

Spartanburg Methodist is also known for its baseball program -- sending players to various Division I schools all around the Southeast. With Cooler's baseball skills, is there a chance that he could be in a Pioneer baseball jersey?

"A couple of people have asked me about that, and I just want to concentrate on school and wrestling," Cooler said. "After my first year, if I think I can handle the extra load, then maybe I'll give it a shot."

Edisto's team captain

ready for next level

By CHARLENE SLAUGHTER

T&D Sports Editor

Edisto's Justin Ballard says wrestling is an addiction.

His parents remembered when Ballard called them from school saying he wanted to try out for wrestling. Ballard's dad, Rodney "Tubb" Ballard, had always encouraged his son to participate in sports, mainly baseball. But wrestling?

"I was like 'what's wrestling?'" he said. "I'd seen Rick Flair and things like that. I didn't realize how tough a sport it was. It takes dedication."

A four-year wrestler at Edisto, Ballard committed Tuesday to wrestle at Spartanburg Methodist College in the fall. The student-athlete had also been accepted to the University of South Carolina, Clemson, Limestone College and the University of North Carolina, Pembrook.

"After the visit (to SMC) I really liked it," Ballard said. "The campus style, the setting, it wasn't too big. Everybody was nice. Wrestling is a tough sport. I got addicted to it. I love the adrenaline rush. The practices are tough, but it's worth it."

A two-year team captain, Ballard was third place state wrestling competition finalist in 2005. He also has a 3.95 GPA and is in the top 10 percent of his class. SMC coach Adam Haymond said it was those characteristics that had the college looking at Ballard for a while.

"We started following Justin last year; he didn't really know that," Haymond said. "We wanted to target him early. We knew he was a blue-chip kid -- academic student, good character, a good wrestling kid -- that's what we want. ... We feel he will bring a lot more to SMC. We look for him to be a team leader."

When asked what he wanted to bring to the SMC wrestling team, Ballard quipped, "I'm hoping they bring a lot to me. I want to learn a lot and get some experience."

Edisto wrestling coach Raleigh Jackson described Ballard as a quick study, a quality leader and very dependable. Jackson said he will miss Ballard as well as his family.

"From a good block falls a good chip," Ballard said. "He's got great parents. They were our Booster Club. ... He's been a dream to work with. We became a team. We're going to miss him. Wrestling is where you recruit the family, not just the kids. He represents the whole household.

"Coach (Haymond), we turn the family over to you."

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