Freakshow is one of the premier regional events on the West Coast with wrestlers from California, Arizona, etc. coming to Las Vegas for two days of action. The Southeast isn’t typically very well represented at the event (in terms of numbers), but we always a few hammers head west to see the West Coast competition. 2021 is no different - and two SE hammers return with a freakshow singlet after winning their weight.

Georgia’s Hoke Poe-Hogan won 5 matches to claim the 182 lb. title in the 18U Elite division. Poe-Hogan downed Brian Thorpe 5-0 to claim the title. He has a fall, a major decision, and 2 other decisions to take home the title.

Florida’s Matthew Jimenez claimed the 285 lb. title with relative ease - beating the top seed Izaya Jackson 3-1 for the title. He also had a forfeit and 2 major decisions on the weekend.

The Southeast also put two others on the podium - Poe-Hogan’s Jefferson teammate David Dendy finished 6th at 145 and Florida’s Jewell Williams was 6th at 138. The SE had others wrestle in the age-group weights, but no other high school elites made the podium from the SE.

Woodward Academy (Georgia)

Head Coach: Jeff Ragan (entering 8th season)

Staff: Anthony Rivera, Mickey Statham, Kevin Artis, Tommy Carney, Luke Underwood, Pete Fritts, Pete Chen

There might not be a better 1, 2, 3 punch in high school wrestling than Kilic, Filipowicz, and Singleton. All three are uber talented and will after the 21-22 season take their talents to a Division 1 program (Kilic to Arizona State, Filipowicz to West Point, and Singleton to NC State). But you can’t win a state title on 3 hammers alone. Ragan has been cultivating the rest of the pieces and will attempt to dethrone Woodland this season. Woodward also returns State Champ Colby McBride as well as State Placers Jaylin Tate, Ben Valdes, and Tristen Hill. That makes 7, but to beat Woodland (or some of the other 5A powers) they will need some others to step up and make some noise in 2022.

State Qualifiers Connor Phillips, Ryan Seeb, Ayden Lightner, Ian Wallace, and Noah Song will be counted on to score points. Ragan will also look to some new faces to step in and compete for varsity spots and state tournament points - they include Hayden Fritts, Heath Augustyn, and Robby DeHaven. If Woodward can get points (in both duals and at the state tournament) from the eight mentioned above - they will be tough to beat in 2022.

“With only graduating 2 seniors last season and returning 12 of our state qualifiers, as well as all of our 7 state placers, and all 4 of our state champions we are excited about the 2021-2022 season but we are also excited about some very talented new comers that will make our line up even tougher, giving us a very tough as well as balanced line up this season.”

— Coach Ragan

Walnut Grove (Georgia)

Head Coach: Paul Vanstone

Walnut Grove finished 9th at the 2021 5A Traditional State Tournament. This group returns some hammers and will look to push the top 5A teams in 2022. The Warriors should be tough down low and will have some experience. Look for Sophomores Luke Meredith, Gunner Stringfield, and Brandy Rangel-Mendoza could all contribute this season after getting a year under their belts. Jacob Helms and State Champ transfer Landon Moss should make a big impact toward the top part of the lineup, but for the Warriors to challenge the top in 5A they will need returning hammers Kale Griswell, Jack Ponder, Gage Ragsdale, and Skyler Jones to push for spots high on the podium in Macon throughout the middle of the lineup.

Keep an eye on Aiden Martin, Gareth Aderhold, Zeb Dawkins, Zied Basti, and Parker Warren to be important pieces throughout and each will be hunting for a breakout season in 2022. Don’t be surprised if Damion Wasendorf, Max Balsamo, Gabe Branham, as well as freshman Hunter Cousins make an impact this season as well. The pieces are set for the Warriors to make an impact in 2021-2022.

“We are fairly senior heavy, and expectations are high.

If we are a little lucky with our health, a little good, and coach our tails off...we could be competing for a Trophy at State Duals.”

— Coach Vanstone