State of the Program ... Smiths Station (AL)
Smiths Station (AL)
Head Coach: Tommy Sanders (2008-present at Smiths Station)
Staff: Murray Zogg, Robert Peterson, Eric Basnett
The Panthers lose their two hammers up top in State Champions Kyle Watson (220) and Steven Flagg (285) as well as State Placer Kyle Fontenot who was 3rd at 145. But with four State Qualifiers returning from 2022, this team should be back in the mix for a top 5 finish again in 2023. State Qualifiers Eli Sanders, Timothy Luttrell, Wylie Shomaker, and Lance Peterson will lead the way as well as Robert Sanborn who should fill in at 195. Peterson won the South section at 182 last season and should be the Panthers best shot to climb high on the podium in 2023.
Jaden Sanford, Richard Munguia, and Bryson McDonald all have post-season experience and should solidify a good lower part of the lineup with Sanders, Luttrell, and Dustin Dunbar. From 106-138 the Panthers should be very good. They will also be good up top with Shomaker, Sanborn, Peterson - the key will be from 145-182 (with Shomaker anchoring one of those spots). Look for Andrew Bryant, AJ Williams, Nathaniel Jarmon, Eric Short, Kylan Pace and Kenneth Doster to be in the mix for the other spots. Keep an eye on Ken Felder and Marshal Culbertson as well. The Panthers have the pieces in place to be in the mix, but will need everyone to step up and help fill the void left by Watson, Flagg, and Fontenot.
“We return 9 starters from last year’s team that finished 5th at state. Seven of those starters are state qualifiers so we will have some experience throughout our lineup. Our expectations are to become a physical team that improves weekly.”
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.