State of the Program ... West Oak (SC)
West Oak (SC)
Head Coach: Derek Strobel (2nd year at West Oak; 23rd year of Coaching)
Staff: Adam Duncan, Rick McGlaughlin
Usually when a team has to replace the level of talent that graduated for the Warriors a year ago, they take a step back and ready themselves to make a run again in a year or more. That isn’t the case with the 2022-23 edition of the West Oak Warriors. Last year’s 3A State Champs lose hammers AJ Dickerson, Jeremy Dobbs, and Dylan Burgess, but the quality that they return and the continued development of those ready to step in has to make West Oak one of the favorites to win it all again in 2022-23.
Let’s start with the 5 returning state point-getters. West Oak should be led by returning State Champions Teague Strobel and Damein Thaxton as well as State Placers Cael Davis, Landon Allen, and Jaxton Freeman. Strobel showed he is not just a South Carolina talent after making the podium at NHSCA’s in March. He is one of the top Juniors in the Southeast and amongst the top 113-120’s around. The above five alone could carry a team to a title and we are not even mentioning 2021 State Qualifier Grant Mobley or 2020 State Runner-up Josh Collins who will look to make an impact in their final season as well.
West Oak also has a ton of other hammers ready to step in and make their mark in 22-23 (if they can fight their way into a stacked lineup). Freshmen AJ De La Cruz and Peyton Durham will look lock down the 106 lb. spot and a bevy of sophomores will look to break into the lineup as well and make some noise. Keep an eye on Anthony Preoli, Ryan Addis, and Marcus Thaxton to have outstanding sophomore campaigns. The Warriors also return a ton of Juniors and Seniors including Carson Williams, Corbin Dickson, Jared Cruz, Lane Allen, Patrick Rholetter, Connor Stancil, Evan Ballew, and Ezequiel Burgos who will look to secure their spot in a very competitive lineup from top to bottom.
“Our team has put in the work this summer. We have guys that will push to be starters throughout the season. Our depth is where we needs it to be. We have a great schedule set up for the team. We are looking forward to getting on the mat and competing for a state title.”
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.