Union Pines (NC)

Head Coach: Brian Gray II (entering 6th season)

Staff: Joe Van Cleave, Bill Soukup, Nick Moore, Michael Muse

The Vikings finished in the top 10 in 3A in 2022 and despite losing State Champ Aiden McCafferty - should be in the hunt for a top 5 finish in 2023. The key for the Vikings will be the development of their 5 returning State Qualifiers. Keaton Crawford, Finnius McCafferty, Brock Sullivan, Joseph Vrabcak, and Jayden Crawford all qualified a year ago … but only McCafferty was able to get a win at the big dance. If that changes - the Vikings will be tough throughout their lineup and could make some real noise in 2023. State Placer Nicholas Mascolino had a great run at Super 32 a few weeks ago and looks poised to lead the way this season. The Vikings have a legit shot to put six on the podium … if that happens they will be in the thick of things in the end.

Keaton and Jayden Crawford will be the key down low … but look for Aiden Enright, Nathan Maness, Joe Lloyd, and JT Erie to step up and set the tone for the Vikings in each and every dual. The strength of this lineup is through the middle beginning with McCafferty at 138, Vrabcak at 145, Houston Leeah at 152, Brock Sullivan and Dustin Maness at 160/170, and Nicholas Mascolino at 182/195. Look for Dantrell Williams, Colton Collins, and Carter Herring to play an important role up top for the Vikings. This is a solid squad from top to bottom … but it is also still fairly young - so they should continue to get better as the season goes along.

“We should be as good as we’ve ever been, but the problem with that is the best we’ve ever been is a State Runner-up team. The goal is to win a state championship. Hopefully we can instill in the team that we need to improve enough and work hard enough to reach that level. Regardless of the outcome on the mat, we are going to be great in the classroom, upstanding in the community and have fun when we compete.”

— Coach Gray

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.

East Henderson (NC)

Head Coach: Ray Ford (year 2)

Staff: Cory Rose, Michael Patterson, Cody Anderson, Mike Wexler

East Henderson climbed into the 3A top 30 a year ago. We didn’t get a roster from Coach Ford, but if the Eagles return everyone that is expected they have a shot to climb into the top 20 in 2023. State Placer Tucker Marshall has graduated (according to trackwrestling), but they return sophomore hammer (and 2022 State Qualifier) Gunner Marshall as well as a host of others that could punch their ticket to the big dance this season. Keep an eye on Brady Mathis, Wyatt Nabors, Mason Maybin, and Marcus McCarson … all four won matches at the West Region tournament a season ago and (if they all return) each will be looking to take that next step in 2023.

“East Henderson has been working extremely hard this off season trying to get better. Last year we were a young team that only graduated 3 seniors. Most of the team is coming back and looking to build on that success. In the off season we have been practicing in our club and hitting up tournaments all spring and summer. Our Coaches and I are looking to get more wrestlers qualified for state and make the podium. We believe that past success will lead to future success for years to come.”

— Coach Ford

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.

Pisgah (NC)

Head Coach: Ryan Gibson (entering 16th season)

Staff: Gage Norris, David Bryson, Josh Rickman

Pisgah finished 16th in 3A a year ago. They do lose State Qualifiers Alex Almaraz and Noah Sepulveda - but this team has several hammers returning and should be in the hunt for a top 10 finish in 2023. Both Kane Bryson and Xander Hill made the podium a year ago as underclassmen and both return hunting that top step this season. This is a team that remains very young and should continue to develop as the season goes along. Bryson is just a sophomore and Hill is a junior … and that is what the team looks like up and down the lineup. Bryson, Turner Robb, Grayson Reece, and Tyson Silver should hold down the bottom part of the lineup (and all are just sophomores). Clay Hatton, JP Chapman, and Jason McClellan will look to make some noise from 126 to 152.

We could see Hill at 152 or 182 and that probably depends on where he is needed to begin the season. He is joined in the 152-170 weights by Cameron King and freshman Landon Pope. Up top Coach Gibson will look for Tytus Bridges and Eli Frizzell to make some noise. Bridges nearly qualified last year as a sophomore and will certainly be looking to punch his ticket this season.

“The team has worked really hard through the Spring, Summer, and Fall traveling around and wrestling tournaments, doing workouts, and attending/holding camps and clinics. We were very young last season in the majority of our weight classes, so the team knew that hard work was needed in order for us to grow. The coaching staff is excited to see just how much growth has happened with the work put in.”

— Coach Gibson

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.