By: Austin Alexander – April 6, 2017
What a run our state is on! We are just one union in the Lower 48 and simply one of 50 overall in these United States of America. BUT when it comes to athletics, I’d have to say that the Carolina’s, specifically the Palmetto State, has had a stranglehold on some fairly big collegiate and professional endeavors recently!
While a name or team may be omitted, let’s re-visit the past 12 months…
| Date | Event, Etc | Accomplishment | School/Player | Notes |
| July 2016 | NCAA Baseball | National Championship | Coastal Carolina | Roster littered with SC players, Andrew Beckwith (Blythewood) MVP, GK Young (Conway) hits game-winning HR, Alex Cunningham (Byrnes) records final outs |
| October 2016 | MLB | World Series | Chicago Cubs | Carl Edwards, Jr (Mid-Carolina) pitched in the final inning of Cubs first title since 1908 |
| 2016 | Professional Golf | PGA | Dustin Johnson | #1 Player in the World, CCU grad, Irmo native |
| Jan 2017 | NCAA Football | National Championship | Clemson | SC native Hunter Renfrow (Socastee) catches game-winning TD |
| April 2017 | NCAA Men’s Hoops | Final Four | South Carolina | First Tourney win since 1973… |
| April 2017 | NCAA Women’s Hoops | National Championship | South Carolina | A’ja Wilson (Heathwood Hall) Tourney MVP |
As an advocate of our great state, graduate of two awesome schools and a person that pulls for our kids/coaches as much as anyone, tip-of-the-cap to each champion, what a year! And it is only April, who knows what SC-soil bred team or player will provide our state another ring, trophy or Green Jacket!