Carrollton (GA)

Co-Head Coaches: Michael Cleek (entering 7th season); Nick White (entering 4th season)

Staff: Morgan Dudley and Mike Mason

Carrollton returns a number of wrestlers that made an impact in 2021 including 4 State Qualifiers, but they do lose their hammer in 220 lb. State Champ Brock Bibbee to graduation. Darius Sanders, Gita Marenco, Buck Merritt and Will Mason are all returning Qualifiers and should be to lead the way for the Trojans. All four won a match at the state tournament and each will be hunting a spot on the podium in 2022. Carrollton will turn to Hector Martinez and Joey Berry to make an impact in 2022 .. both finished 4th at Area in 2021, just missing a trip to Macon.

The Trojans will also look to Riley Rayburn, Richard Hollingsworth, Brody Autrey and others to make a contribution - especially if they are looking to make an impact in very deep 6A Area 5. Keep an eye on freshman Jacob Levy … if you don’t know the name now - you will by the time we hit February.

“Expectations are always high at Carrollton regardless of the competition. We are thankful to be in a tough region that will get us ready to compete at the state tournament in February. ”

— Coach White

Benedictine (GA)

Head Coach: Joe Tvrdy (entering his 21st season)

Staff: Harry West

Benedictine return a solid group after losing just 2 Seniors from the 2020-2021 squad. This is a team with experience and will look to make some noise in 4A this coming season. Not only do they return experience - they return a host of wrestlers with state tournament experience (and several that had multiple wins in 2021 in Macon). Seniors Gabe Tvrdy, Kyen Argentinis, and Shayne Strickland shoudl lead the way and each will look to climb onto the podium in 2022.

Keep an eye on Xander Argentinis and Kaz Meriwether - both wrestled great as freshmen a year ago and both should also be hunting for a spot on the podium in 2022. Three Seniors - William Crawford, Alex Ramsey, and Valerio Magluilo should be key to seeing how high Benedictine climbs in 2022 … this is a team with a lot of experience - if they can pull it altogether they have a real chance to greatly improve on their 11th place finish from a year ago (a top 5 finish is within their reach). Freshmen Connor Desautels and John Dodson will be two others to watch as well.

“BC only lost 2 seniors off last year’s team. We have a lot of good wrestlers returning but have to sort out our line-up.”

— Coach Tvrdy

Mountain View (GA)

Mountain View returns a possible 83 (of their 97 points/point-getters) from 2021 - that’s good for 5th in terms of returning points. The Bears lose a trio of State Qualifiers including Daevon McDew, Jordan Eccleton, and Samuel Austin, but the 2021-22 team should be very competitive and back in the hunt for a top 3 finish. The Bears are led by returning State Placers Lex Hennebaul and Armond Jones and both are focused on taking the top step in 2022.

Add in 6 others that qualified for the state tournament including Adam Lee, Justin Greene, and Elias Vermillion and this is a team that could make some noise in 2022. How high the Bears climb will likely be up to how well Luke Vasquez, Ryan Rodgers, Daviel Abreu and others wrestle in 2022. Keep an eye on Taj Jones to make an impact in 2022 as well. Mountain View will be in the hunt - probably doesn’t have the horses to knock off Camden, but certainly has the ability to climb into the top 2 or 3 teams in 7A.

“We’re excited to have this group of juniors and seniors leading our team this year! The core of this group have been together since middle school. A year ago, they helped us finish in the top 6 at the State Duals and earn our 10th Region Championship. With an added year of experience, we hope to continue to work together well as a team and continue to succeed together! ”

— Coach Gassman