East Wilkes (NC)

Head Coach: Austin Bare (entering 3rd season)

Staff: Malachi Combs, Zack Faircloth

East Wilkes finished 18th in 1A in 2022 and with a ton of returners this season, expect the Cardinals to climb to a higher finish in 2023. 2022 State Qualifier Kole Lambert has graduated, but the Cards return SQ’s Dylan Rampage and Kaden Royal. Both will be key to the middle part of the Cardinal lineup. Look for Aiden Kraemer and Zac Helms to work into the mix from 138-160 also - making that the strength of the lineup.

Senior Alan Lopez will be counted on to lead a young crew down low … expect freshmen Collin White and Wesley Wiley to step in and make some noise at 126 and 132. Tristan Alkire and Raul Lopez will be counted on to lead the way up top - expect Lopez and Alkire to take care of business at 182, 195 or 220. This is still a young crew made up of mostly juniors and sophomores. They had 2 Qualifiers a year ago … the next step is to put some on the podium and get more to the big dance in 2023 … if that happens East Wilkes could be knocking on the door of the top 10.

“Since taking over this team in the 2020 season our number one focus has been building a larger program to compete for the schools first conference title in over 40 years. We are looking for many of our guys to make big jumps this season to help us compete against top level teams. With only one senior in the starting lineup, I would still consider us young but we feel that we have continued to improve each year, and will hopefully have several SQ this season.”

— Coach Bare

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.

Cary (NC)

Head Coach: Jacob Tutterrow (Year 2 at Cary; 4 overall)

Staff: Jerry Winterton, Brandon Wilkins, Carlos Alvarez, Steven Amaya

Cary finished just outside the top 10 a season ago and despite losing State Runner-up Rylan Vann and State Qualifiers Ezra Jack and Jake Wolfram … this team fully expects to be in the top 10 in 2023. The Imps return 2x State Placer (1x Runner-up) Sam Grena as well as State Qualifier Aspen Talbot. They also return 2021 State Placer Johnny Ramos who missed the 2022 post-season due to injury. With Grena, Ramos, and Talbot leading the way, the Imps have a shot to make some noise … but like every other team - they will need the next group to step up and make a name for themselves this season.

Andrew Metters, Nathan Cowles, and Keontay Turner each competed in the post-season in 2022 and each will be counted on to make an impact this season. For Cowles and Turner it will be their last shot as both are Seniors this season. Two others to watch are Nik Barroso-Joslin and Will Watkins. Barroso-Joslin battle through injuries a year ago and when healthy was an important piece for the Imps. Assuming he is healthy and back - he could be very important to the Imps lineup this season. Watkins was a spot starter on varsity last season and still earned All-SWAC 2nd team … keep an eye on his to make some noise this season as well. The final piece could be Alex Schweitzer who should fit into the lineup just after Ramos down low. Keep an eye on the Imps as they look to push for a top 10 spot in 4A this season.

“The team will be a year older, of course we lost some power losing SQ Jake Wolfram and 3X State Finalist Rylan Vann, but we had a good replacement for Vann while he was recovering from injury last season that we expect good things from. We will be improved even though we have a few new faces coming into the lineup.”

— Coach Tutterrow

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.

Carrollton (GA)

Head Coach: Nick White (22nd year overall; 7 years as head coach)

Staff: JC Fuller, Dan Harris, Tucker Rey

Carrollton makes the jump up from 6A and into a 7A that should be the most interesting to watch in Georgia. The Trojans finished 18th in a very competitive 6A in 2022. They return all of their state point-getters from a year ago, but the path in 7A might be tougher than it was a season ago … meaning that this team should be even better than last year’s, but it may (or may not) be reflected in where they end up. State Runner-up (and Fargo U16 Runner-up) Jacob Levy returns and will make a run for a state title up at 215 or heavyweight. State Qualifier Buck Merritt also returns and will be hunting a spot on the podium in 2023. But how high the Trojans climb will come down to the other spots in the lineup.

Darius Sanders, Xavier Powell, Jacob Eastwood, and Joseph Sales are all Seniors looking to make their mark in their final season. Juniors Bennett Cleek, Riley Rayburn as well as sophomores Kam Thornton and George Carden will look to break into the middle of the lineup from 132-157. Keep an eye on Sophomore Wesley Loftin who wrestled at Sectionals a year ago and for incoming freshman Connor Stephens. Levy will lead the way, but it will be up to those around him in helping Carrollton battle through a very good 7A this season.

“I am as excited about this season as any I have been a part of at CHS. We have had a great off season worth of training and pre season lifts have given us a ton of new faces and depth. This years version of the Trojans welcome the opportunity to compete in the largest classification in the state of Georgia. We look forward to expounding upon the “Choose Right” lifestyle that we teach/preach here at CHS. We are relatively young in terms of experience however, we have some guys that have been super successful on the national scene ready to lead and teach. I am also extremely excited about the community coach support we will receive this year. Overall we feel as if we can put ourselves in a position to be successful this season while loading up on youth for the seasons to come.”

— Coach White

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.