State of the Program - McCallie (TN)
Coaching Staff:
Jake Yost
Matt Pitts
Mike Newman
David Levitt
Tom Herring
Thomas Slaugh
Gordon Connell
2023 Recap:
Finished 21st at the 4A Traditional State Tournament
Individuals:
Cannon Voiles - SQ at 145
Axel Ritchie - 3rd at 106
Brody Connell - 5th at 113
Jed Pierce - 6th at 120
Braden Ryan - 6th at 132
Cooper Gentle - 6th at 220
James Cross - 3rd at 160
Carson Gentle - 3rd at 285
JaVon McMahan - 4th at 182
Graduated:
Nicholas Ridings - SQ at 152
2023-2024
Returners (Grade):
106,113 Jaxon Lane
106,113 Axel Ritchie
120,126 Brody Connell
120,126 Dylan Villers
126,132 Cainan Willaims
126,132 Cooper Ledbetter
132,138 Jed Pierce
138,144 Zaydan Morgan
144,150 Braden Ryan
150,157 Cannon Voiles
157,165 Teddy Wingfield
165,175 Wilder Wingfield
165,175 James Cross
175,190 Fisher French
175,190 Gabe Abercrombie
190 JaVon McMahan
215 Cooper Gentle
285 Carson Gentle
McCallie is back. Will they have enough to beat Baylor and Father Ryan? That’s hard to know at the moment, but what isn’t is … this team is very talented and if they aren’t at the point of challenging Baylor and Father Ryan in 2024 … they will be in 2025 and beyond. McCallie return 9 State Qualifiers … 8 of which made the podium. They are led by 3 Senior State Placers in James Cross, Carson Gentle, and JaVon McMahon. All three have their sights set on the top step and an individual title before their prep careers are finished.
But make no mistake … it is the young guns that are the ones to watch. And they are the ones to watch for a number of reasons. First, they are very talented and have shown that as youth wrestlers over the years. Second, they will play a huge role in how much McCallie pushes the top programs in Division 2. Axel Ritchie, Brody Connell, Jed Pierce, Braden Ryan, and Cooper Gentle all made the podium in 2023 … if they can push their way higher on the podium McCallie will be tough. Cannon Voiles was a qualifier in 2023 as an 8th grader and will be hunting a spot on the podium this season. Keep an eye on sophomore Fisher French, freshman Zaydan Morgan and a quartet of 8th graders … Jaxon Lane, Dylan Villers, Cainan Williams, and Cooper Ledbetter. The 2023-2024 lineup might end up looking really young, but don’t let them fool you … they are all battle hardened and are ready to make their mark. - SEWrestle