State of the Program ... Hickory Ridge (NC)
Hickory Ridge (NC)
Head Coach: Vinny DiGiovanni (entering 5th year)
Staff: Dave Sloan, Eddie Descalzo, Blake Barber, Manuel Macall
Hickory Ridge was one of the few programs that qualified all 14 wrestlers for the 2021 regional tournament … doing so in the 4A Midwest Region. As a result they finished 5th and qualified five for the 2021 state tournament. Ten of those 14 return and will look to push Hickory Ridge to the top of the Midwest in 2022. Coach DiGiovanni loses State Qualifiers Parker Jones and Kaylin Foust, but return Qualifiers Alex Bentley, Tomas Brooker, and Hunter Jones. Each will be hunting a spot on the podium in 2022.
Wyatt Moss and Logan Lightner each won a match at the “modified” (no consi bracket) 4A Midwest regional in 2021 and both will be looking to punch their ticket to the state tournament in 2022. A few other Bulls to watch for include Zach Costantino, Justin Long, Garrett Jones, and Jaylon Pemberton. One key for Hickory Ridge is the continued development of Ben Sargent, Connor Shulman, and Vincent Simone. Keep an eye on Connor Susa, Colt Campbell, Kyle Perry, and Silas Mills - each will look to make an impact in 2022.
On the girls side … Claire Kothel, Reagan Smit, and Arwen Timler figure to lead the Bulls in 2021-2022. Keep an eye on them as NC works to sanction the girls in the near future.
“As a program we expect to be competitive every year, this one is no different. We have 4 kids coming back that have qualified or placed at the state tournament the past couple of years and with a decent number of young kids coming up we will lean on those upper classmen to lead everyday on the mat, weight room and classroom.”
