State of the Program ... Walnut Grove (GA)
Walnut Grove (GA)
Head Coach: Paul Vanstone (19th year coaching wrestling and 12th as the head coach at Walnut Grove)
Staff: Kyle Smith, Lane Seale
Walnut Grove finished 5th in 5A a season ago and with the new classes in Georgia - we get to see them make the move down to 4A in what should be an exciting class to watch in 22-23. The Warriors return State Champ Landen Moss, State Runner-up Parker Warren, and State Placer Zeb Dawkins, but lose some firepower with the graduation of Jacob Helms, Kyle Smith, Kale Griswell, and Skyler Jones. Expect Moss, Warren, and Dawkins to all make a run for the top step in 2023 and for 2022 State Qualifier Luke Meredith to be in the hunt for a spot on the podium as well … but if the Warriors are going knock off defending Champs West Laurens or incoming 2A Champs Lovett - they will need some others to step up and make some noise.
Look for the return of two seniors - Gareth Aderhold and Damion Wasendorf to play a big role this year. Both were lost to injury last year and both should make an impact this year. Gunnar Stringfield and Brandy Rangel made an impact last year and both will be called on to take that next step this season. Keep an eye on Devin Nopple and Graham Dawkins - two freshmen that have a ton of experience and will look to take that next step in their freshman campaign. Walnut Grove has a chance to be in the hunt, but for that to happen they will need their hammers to do their thing and for the other parts of the lineup to step up and make an impact.
“Despite heavy losses to graduation last season, we’re excited and optimistic about this new team. Last year much of the hay was in the barn before the season started and things went well but we couldn’t quite reach our full potential due to injuries. This year is a completely different story. We have a few returning stars but also the coaching staff has a lot of work to do with young talent. That dynamic is going to be the most exciting part about this team. We expect it to be a bit of a roller coaster ride of a season with lot of highs, lows, growing pains and excitement.”
NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.