State of the Program ... Huntsville (AL)
Huntsville (AL)
Head Coach: Patrick Harris (entering 8th year at Huntsville; 18th overall)
Staff: Jared Bronaugh, Fred Kemp, Tyler Fanning, Kwesi Jackson, Michael Webb, Brent Carr, Gabe Schroeder, DeAngelo Johnson
Outstanding program that is always in the thick of things in February. Last year they were 4th … but battled with Thompson, Vestavia, and Hewitt-Trussville to the end. I’m not certain if the Panthers can overcome Thompson and Vestavia, but if they are … this is the crew to make that happen. The Panthers return all 5 State Placers including 113 lb. State Champion Yanik Simon. Todd Whitmire was 2nd at 195, Kiyan Simon and Jake Ciccolella were both 3rd, and John McKinney was 4th. All 5 have the ability to claim a title in 2023. For the Panthers to knock off Thompson they will need all 5 of them back on the podium in 2023, but the difference will likely come down to others (in Alabama 7A - you need points from all 14 of your hammers).
Joseph Sowell and Brock Fields both qualified a year ago and both will be hunting a spot on the podium as well. Seven placers really gives the Panthers a shot at the title … getting points from any of the following could prove the difference. Wallace Blue sat behind Kiyan Simon last year and if he can find a way into the lineup at 106 or 113 - he has the ability to make the podium as well. Jay Colebaugh, Kai Valenzuela, and Dalton Wood could make some noise in the middle of the lineup (from 152-182) … getting points from any or all 3 would be huge. Keep an eye on Griffin McKinney and Bradley Wilbourn up top as well as Jack carter, Noah Gross, Micah Johnson, Troy McDaniels, Aaron Phillips, and Cordell Lee as they look to find their way into a stacked lineup. The Panthers have all of the pieces in place to claim the 7A title this season … look for them to be in the mix on Saturday afternoon at the Von Braun Center.
“We return 12 of 14 Section tournament starters from 2022 including 5 State Placers and 2 additional 7A State Qualifiers. We remain young with only four Seniors on the roster, but driven by strong Junior and Sophomore classes. Last year we experienced multiple injuries which took (2) Seniors out of the lineup and a Junior unable to compete until Section. This allowed many others to contribute and grow. Now these guys all will contribute at the Varsity level and will challenge for starting spots. We are very proud of the grass roots growth finishing with 100 on active roster at season end and expect more for 2022-23 season. Our guys have very high expectations for themselves this season both individually and as a team. Over the past seven years we have transformed the culture into a non elitist hard work culture of accountability. Many of this group we have trained since 7/8th grade so it makes for a very special group to us. While there is a long way to go we are very proud of how far we have come we expect to push for individual and state titles this year. Exciting times at the HSV.”
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.