State of the Program - Mae Jemison (AL)
Coaching Staff:
Arick Shankles - 2nd year
Darren Freeman
Isaiah McDougal
Jamil Jones
Joshua Guyton
Kendrick Stewart
KeDerrius Ellis
John Cashin
Tyler Shankles
Brennen Shankles
2023 Recap:
Lost to Hartselle in the opening round of the State Duals Tournament
Finished 24th at the 6A Traditional State Tournament
Individuals:
Joe Hardin - SQ at 120
Kyonne Rogers - SQ at 195
George Mullins - 5th at 170
Derrick Santacruze - SQ at 285
Graduated:
Elizha Thomas - SQ at 132
Zyrell Black - SQ at 152
2023-2024
Returners (Grade):
106 Russell Yarbrough (10th)
113-120 Jorden Rice (9th)
113-120 Joe Hardin (11th)
126-132 Zion Bright (11th)
132 Kai Harris (12th)
138-144 Joseph London (12th)
138-144 Zamarion Mitchell (11th)
150 Saul Ramos (12th)
157 Robert Jones (12th)
165-175 George Mullins (12th)
165-175 James Scott (11th)
190-215 Jeremiah Gambles (12th)
190-215 Kyonne Rogers (11th)
285 Derrick SantaCruze (12th)
285 Limaj Wallace (12th)
In the late 2010’s (from 2017 through 2020), Mae Jemison burst onto the scene and really made a name for themselves with several outstanding teams. Jailen Young and Tyrique Simms won individual titles for the Jags and those teams had 15 wrestlers climb onto the podium. After a bit of a dip … can we say the Jags are back? Coach Shankles has this team moving up and after last seasons success - they have to be confident that they can make their way back into the conversation in 2024. George Mullins leads a squad with many seniors and juniors and after taking 5th last year will look to climb onto the podium and become Jemison’s 3rd-ever State Champ. The key for the Jags is the continued development of State Qualifiers Joe Hardin, Kyonne Rogers, and Derrick SantaCruze … all three made the big dance last year and each will be hunting a spot on the podium this year. Keep an eye on Kai Harris, James Sott, Limaj Wallace and North Dakota transfer Kenneth O’Connor. Jemison is moving up … it will be exciting to watch how high they climb in 2024. - SEWrestle