State of the Program ... Hammond (SC)
Hammond (SC)
Head Coach: Austin Hood (Assistant Coach 2012-13; Head Coach 2013-Present)
Staff: Aaron Pettry, Troy Riley, Gianmarco Price
Coach Hood has Hammond working very much “plug and play” … meaning they graduate some hammers (also lose two to transfer), but they have the depth for the next man up to step in and keep Hammond in the hunt. On paper this is a very young squad with the nucleus being primary underclassmen. Corbin Rabon returns after claiming a title as a 7th grader last year and he is joined by Champs Luke Martin and Sam DuBose. DuBose and Josh Priloueau are your “elder statesmen” and will be called on to lead the young Skyhawks.
Look for a trio of middle-school talent in Blaze Barnes, Sean McRae, and James Meacham to form the lineup down low around Rabon. Angeson Ladd, Aspen Brooks, and Jaden Kline will pair with Martin and Priloeau to secure the middle of the lineup (from 126/132-152). Alex Park and James Lay join DuBose from 152-170. The challenge for the Skyhawks is up top where some newcomers will have to step up from 182-285.
“We lost 5 starters to graduation and 2 transferred out of state after a 2nd place finish at SCISA Dual State. We return 3 State Champions in 8th grader Cobin Rabon, and multi time champs Sophomore Luke Martin and Senior Sam DuBose who missed all but 3 matches last season. We will have a lot of work to do with a young roster to produce at a championship level but we have an experienced and talented Sophomore and Freshman class. An exciting schedule taking us all over North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia before the State Tournament and National Preps.”
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.