Finch signs with Newberry

After all, he’d won two individual state championships and been a part of four dual state title teams and four traditional state title teams. All that was left was a college scholarship.

He can now check that off the list.

Finch has signed with Newberry, a Division II school in South Carolina, as he’ll continue his successful wrestling career.

“This is kind of a culmination for him for high school, to finish off high school right,” Jefferson coach Doug Thurmond said Monday at a signing ceremony. “We look forward to hearing how well he does at Newberry.”

Finch picked Newberry over Appalachian State, noting that the size and location of Newberry suited him better.

“It’s closer to home,” Finch said. “It’s just a better fit for me. App State is kind of big and, I guess, more easy to get in trouble up there … Newberry is small and the teammates were cool.”

Thurmond called Newberry “a great college” and pointed to the Wolves’ runner-up showing in Division II recently. He expects that Finch will fit in well there.

“So they’re a powerhouse in wrestling,” Thurmond said. “It’s a great program for him to go into that’s fairly close.”

Finch expects that he’ll redshirt as a 141-lb. wrestler for Newberry this coming year, with possibility of going to 149-lb. the following year.

In addition to being a two-time state champion in high school, Finch was a four-time state placer on a powerhouse Jefferson program. While his high school experience has prepared him as much as possible, Finch said that college wrestling will present many new hurdles.

“College wrestling is a whole other level — DI, DII, DIII, NAIA” Finch said. “It’s just a whole different level. I’m prepared. I know what I’m getting myself into so I think I’ll be alright.”