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.

Orange Beach (AL)

Head Coach: Bo Bailey (1st year at Orange Beach; 7th overall)

Staff: Tony Morales

Orange Beach returns everyone from year two of the program and a new coaching staff that includes former Auburn Head Coach Bo Bailey and Tony Morales. Shayd Arboneaux finished 4th at 120 a year ago as a junior and will be back hunting the top step in 2023. Shayd and fellow senior Houston Bryant will also be counted on to lead a fairly young squad into the 2022-23 season. Keep an eye on Gabe Walker, Hayden Scelson, and JW Colley. Both Scelson and Walker wrestled in the South Section a year ago and will look to punch their ticket to the state tournament this year.

“Orange Beach is looking for a break out season in 1-4A in year 3 of the program. New HC Bo Bailey (multiple final four finishes in 7A and 6A) and Assistant Coach Tony Morales (3 time state champ and King University wrestler) have spent the off season recruiting and developing the new culture for OB Wrestling. Led by senior and returning state placer Shayd Arboneaux at 132 this squad will be anchored by several seniors looking to leave their mark on this young program. What this team lacks in experience they will made up with hard work in the off season. The program has high expectations as they are looking to announce themselves immediately in 1-4A power rankings.”

— Coach Bailey

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.

Cypress Bay (FL)

Head Coach: Allen Held (35 years)

Staff: Michael Otero, Dwayne Anderson, Eric Busenbarrick, AJ Held

The Lightning return a very good squad despite graduating State Qualifier Rafael Diniz as well as Jonathan Spurlock, Connor Ivory, and Jared Campbell. In fact, the Lightning have a real opportunity to improve on their 11th place finish from 2022 with the return of 4 State Placers. Seniors Gozie Mosi, Andrew Punzalan, Zach Weidler, and Jordan Escarra all made the podium a season ago and each should be in the hunt for an individual title this season. Those 4 will lead the way and are a solid core on which to continue to build a 3A power. They key for Cypress Bay really knocking on a top 5 finish is the continued development of the rest of the squad.

Punzalan and Escarra are joined by Gabriel Herrero, Julio Gonzalez, and Michael Carsten down low … those 5 will be huge in getting the Lightning off to a fast start in every dual. Tyler Bill, Gil Torres, and Guiliano Roccagerra will look to make some noise in the middle of the lineup before Coach Held looks to his upperweights. Weidler joins Gyanni Mosi and Gozie Mosi up top … they have a few spots to fill in, but those three can compete with anyone. Keep an eye on Matheo Capdevila and Enrique Bolanos - both freshmen will look to break into the lineup and make a name for themselves as well.

“With 4 State Placers returning and an undefeated wrestler or was injured at the end of the year we believe we will be in the mix for a top ten or better finish at the State tournament.”

— Coach Held

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.