State of the Program ... Foard (NC)
Foard (NC)
Head Coach: Mike Carey
Staff: Jim Richard, Zeb Elmore, Josh Speagle, Dean Blanton, David Shook, Jarrod Conner
Foard is not just one of the top programs in North Carolina, they are certainly a top 20 team in the Southeast. Foard dominated the duals as they ran to the 3A title and won the traditional title by 51.5 over runner-up CATA. With a ton of returners - Foard will look to do it again in 2022-23. Foard qualified 10 for the traditional state tournament a year ago and return 7 this season including 220 lb. State Champion Dylan Smith and Runners-up Karter Floyd, Brock Carey, and Zane Birtchet.
From top to bottom, Foard is as tough as any team you will see this season. Joining Smith, Floyd, Carey, and Birtchet are State Placers Brayden Mejia (3rd at 120), Hunter Clark (4th at 132), and Colby Mace (4th at 195). Each will look to claim an individual title in 22-23 and push Foard to the top in the team race once again. Keep an eye on a quartet of Seniors - Jon Byrd (160), Evan Hunsinger (160), Sam Drum (182), and Sam Bolch (285) who will look to make their mark as well in their final season at Foard. Don’t be surprised to hear the names … George Coleman (106), Austin Laws (113), Toby Bowman (120), Sebastian Richards (120), Parker Johns (132), and Matthew Whalen (160) as well.
“Foard has now gone 3 years without a dual loss in the state of North Carolina, and return 6 state finalist or champs, and a 7th wrestler is a state placer! Returning State Placers are: Sophomore Karter Floyd 126, Junior Brayden Mejia 132 or 138, senior Brock Carey 145, junior Hunter Clark 138 or 152, senior Zane Birtchet 160 or 170, senior Colby Mace 195 or 220, and senior Dylan Smith 195 or 220. 4 of those seniors are getting the attention of D1 and/or D2 college coaches. Last year FTF won both the state duals and tournament, and look forward to trying to do it again!”
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.