ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. - After a season that saw the Lander wrestling program reach new heights and earn numerous accolades, head wrestling coach R.C. LaHaye will be honored at the 61st Annual South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Banquet on Monday, May 15, at the Columbia Convention Center.

"The South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame is the pinnacle for athletics honors in the state of South Carolina," said LaHaye. "I am very honored to represent Lander University and for the recognition." 

LaHaye was recently named the Div. II Wrestling Coach of The Year by The Open Mat. He was named the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Coach of The Year and Super Region II Coach of The Year as well.

The Bearcats have finished among the top 15 the past two seasons under LaHaye. This past season saw the Bearcats finish as the Div. II National Runner-Up with Logan Hall finishing runner-up at 184. 2022 saw Lander finish 13th with Zeth Brower becoming the program's first All-American and National Champion.

The 2022-23 season saw LaHaye coach nine National Qualifiers along with six All-Americans. Brower was named the SACC Wrestler of The Year, Hall was named a finalist for the NWCA Wrestler of The Year while David Hunsberger was named the SACC Freshman of The Year, The Open Mat Freshman of The Year and the NWCA Rookie of The Year.

The South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023 features Mark Berson, Robert Brooks, Woody Dantzler, Dawn Ellerbe, Joe Hamilton, Jermaine O'Neal, Larry Penley and Charles "Chino" Smith (posthumously). Several others will be honored, which includes Hootie & the Blowfish receiving the Willie Jeffries Ambassador for Sports Award.

Keep up to date with your Bearcats and never miss a moment of the action! Follow Lander athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for continued updates! #cLawsUp