State of the Program ... Clover (SC)
Clover (SC)
Head Coach: Michael Fitzgerald (entering year 20)
Associate Head Coach: Chauncey McElheney
Staff: Leslie Miller, Rusty Yaple, Tyler McElheney
Clover had a good run in 2021 - finishing 6th at the 5A Traditional State Tournament. Coach Fitzgerald got 6 qualifiers through (in a tough year given covid restrictions and qualifying) and put 5 of those 6 on the podium. Three of those Eagles have graduated and moved on, but 3 return and they should lead the team in 2021-22. Yannis Charles finished 2nd at 132 and had a good summer - making the podium in the Fargo. He is joined by Jaden Charles who finished 4th a year ago at 106 and Enoch Long who qualified at 138.
If Clover is going to make a run back at the top 5 they will need others step and fill the gaps (and points) left by the graduation of Graysen Lathem, Asa Walton, and TJ Stacey. The Eagles are looking forward to the return of former Region Champ Amir Muhammad who was out last year and returns for his senior season. Coach Fitzgerald will also look to Wilton Grice, Michael Tomko, Kaevon Garnder, and Isaiah Plummer to step up - particularly in the upperweights where Clover lost their hammers to graduation. Keep an eye on Jaden Sikorski and Carson Enix - both will look to make some noise in 2022.
“We are excited to get back on the mat this year. We have 2 returning state placers and a returning state qualifier from last year. The goal is always the same every year, win the region and then get the next best thing. We lost a lot to graduation so we will be relying on some new faces to get us where we want to go.”