State of the Program ... Vancleave (MS)
Vancleave (MS)
Head Coach: David Sutherland (entering 2nd season)
Staff: Steve Bryant, James Jacobs Sr
Exciting things happening in Mississippi after a historic season with their first state championship … and Vancleave was right in the mix - taking 2nd to Ocean Springs. The Bulldogs lose none of their qualifiers from a season ago and should be back making noise in 22-23. Quinton Carroll claimed the 106 lb. title a year ago and could be back at that same spot this year. Blayne Patrick took the 138 lb. title and formed a solid 1-2 punch with State Runner-up Cole Daughterty a year ago (expect the two will be back in the middle of the Bulldog lineup this season).
The key for the Bulldogs knocking off Ocean Springs is the continued development of the rest of the squad. They return a bevy of wrestlers that made the podium and if Coach Sutherland and staff can figure out how to push them further up the podium … then this team could challenge Ocean Springs (who graduated a few of their hammers). Look for Colton Gilbert, Chase Alspaugh, Logan Daugherty, and James Jacobs to fill out the bottom part of the lineup with Ian Dempsey, Ashton Peterson, Will Parker, and Clayton Jacobs filling in around Patrick and Cole Daugherty in the middle. Up top Coach Sutherland will look to Maison Kleist, Jordan Sherrod, BG Peterson, and Hunter Rainer to step up around returning State Runner-up Randall Wilson (who should compete at 170/182). Two others that could make an impact include Juniors River Brown and Gavin Dedeaux.
“We are returning our two state champs and runner ups and have a healthy team to really work hard (in only our second year as a program) in our pursuit of a state title. The returning wrestlers are ready to work as we look to improve on last season and win both the dual and individual state tournaments this season. We doubled in size as a team and really pulling some great athletes to increase the strength of our wrestling room. All these young men are ready to put in the work and continue to develop into skilled wrestlers and successful young adults!”
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.