State of the Program - Hoke County (NC)
Coaching Staff:
Brandon Locklear (3rd as head coach)
Chris Kelly
Rachel Borman
Jovaun Johnson
Pat Endocrite
2023 Recap:
Finished 15th at the 4A Traditional State Tournament
Individuals:
Gabriel Capezudo - SQ at 106
Geronimo Oxendine - 6th at 220
Yadiel Colon Torres - SQ at 126
Cedric Griffin Jr. - SQ at 152
Graduated:
Landen Nelson - 4th at 132
David Coptsias - 6th at 138
2023-2024
Returners (Grade):
113 Gabe Cabezudo
120 Rainer a Schlosser
126 Yadiel Colin Torres
132 Jaylen Bethea
157 Cedric Griffin
175 Orion Becton
215 Geronimo Oxendine
285 Tafari Parker
The expectations at Hoke County are high. Look at the State Qualifier trend above … 1 or 2 qualifiers until 2021, then they had 5, followed by 4 in 2022, and 6 in 2023. Coach Locklear’s expectation is that Hoke County will compete for titles. The Bucks lost two State Placers in Landen Nelson and David Coptsias, but still return four that qualified in 2023. Cedric Griffin Jr. has been on a hot streak this fall and is certainly one to watch as is returning State Placer Geronimo Oxendine. Gabe Cabezudo and Yadiel Colin Torres both won matches at last year’s state tournament and will be hunting a spot on the podium as well. I’d bet the expectation is that Hoke County will have four state placers in 2024. But for the Bucks to climb into the 4A conversation they will need returners Rainer Schlosser, Jaylen Bethea, Orion Becton, and Tafari Parker to make some noise in 2024. Be sure to keep an eye on a trio of freshmen newcomers that will look to break into the lineup … especially Jekai Sedgewick who has already turned some heads this fall. Eli Harrelson and Kai Murphy along with sophomores Arthur Jones and Ethan Lunn will be counted on to fill in spots in the middle of the lineup. Hoke County has a ton of potential … whether they fulfill it or not - only time will tell. - SEWrestle