State of the Program ... Hillgrove (GA)
Hillgrove (GA)
Head Coach: Shawn Slenczka (14 years)
Staff: Adam Keith, Alex Valentine, Chris Valentine, John Tafts, John Fitchner
This has to be the first year - in many - that we won’t have a Powell in a Hillgrove singlet. Last year’s Runner-up Connor Powell has graduated, but the Hawks are far from done … In fact, this year’s squad could be even better than the 2022 edition that finished 8th at the 7A traditional state tournament. State Champ Zion Rutledge returns as does State Placer Connor Cooper and the two should lead the way in 22-23. Both will be in the hunt for the top step … but it will be up to the supporting cast in determining how high the Hawks climb as a team in 2023.
Caiden Alvarez, Benjamin Payton, Bray Gibson, and Clark Young will be counted on to lead the lightweights in 2023. Each has post-season experience and will look to make some noise this season. The strength of the Hillgrove lineup is up top with Cooper and Rutledge. If Terrance Hollingsworth, Reece Coppage, and Cooper Pedro can fill in the spots around the two hammers … Hillgrove could be a team to watch in a deep 7A. Keep an eye on Nathan Nguyen, Coen Buice, and Vicent Gentile … they will be counted on to secure the middle of the Hillgrove lineup. One final name to watch is Elliot Wehling - a junior that could make some noise down low for the Hawks. Hillgrove will be in the hunt with Rutledge and Cooper … how high they climb will depend on how well the rest develop.
“Led by returning State Champion Zion Rutledge and returning 3rd place finisher Connor Cooper, this is a deep Hillgrove team that put in a ton of work this offseason. A number of wrestlers will be competing for a spot on the podium by years end. This is a team capable of making a deep run in both dual and traditional competition, but will have its work cut out getting past defending region champs North Paulding. Goals this year are to win the county tournament, win the region, and place top 3 in both dual and traditional state.”
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.