State of the Program ... Weaver (AL)
Weaver (AL)
Head Coach: Andy Fulmer (entering 20th season)
Staff: Justin Brown
The Champs are back and ready to defend their title from a season ago. Weaver got the most from their hammers a year ago and topped Ohatchee by a point to take the 1A-4A title … look for a similar battle this season. Weaver loses State Champion Devin Anderson and State Placer Cameron Thornton, but otherwise return the bulk of their lineup. JD Johannson claimed the 160 lb. title a year ago and he is joined by State Placers Dalton Fink and Anthony Usry as well as State Qualifiers Brandon Joliff and Hayden Ransom.
The run to a title was very much a team effort last year … and if Weaver is going to defend it will be a team effort again in 2023. Johannson and company will lead the way, but Coach Fulmer will need Leo Mondragon, Gianluca Torres, Quinn Sani, Caden Thornton, and Kaden Gaines to come up big if they are going to repeat. Keep an eye on Hunter Hise, Richard Knowlton, and Chris Thornton … they will look to play an important role this year as well.
“We are excited about the 2022-2023 season. Our kids have worked hard in the weight room and on the mat this off season. We have a great group of kids and a competitive room. We have 3 returning senior starters and several under class men that will have the opportunity to be big contributors for us this season. The kids know that we will not sneak up on anybody after last year’s results. We will continue to put our head down and work each day to be better than we were the previous. Our kids are ready for the opportunity to defend our state championship and know the expectation of competing at a high level on a daily basis.”
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.