Lincolnton (NC)

The Pack finished 10th in 2A West in 2021 and had two wrestlers qualify for the State Tournament - Elijah Powell (who has graduated) and Quinlan Hunter who returns looking to make the podium in his Senior season. As Coach Gates notes below … this is still a fairly young squad that got some quality experience a year ago and will look to continue that development in 2021-2022. Last year’s team had 12 Region Qualifiers with the bulk of them being either freshmen or sophomores.

So - who amongst that group is ready to step up and take the lead along with Hunter? Ethan Smith and Josh White each won a match at regionals in 2021 as did freshmen Isaac Powell and Caleb Deaton. If those four can join Hunter at the State Tournament in 2022 - this team will certainly climb in 2A West. Keep an eye on Senior Bernard Wingate - who will look to make an impact in his final season.

“We will still be somewhat of a young team. I believe that we will only have 2 seniors in the starting lineup, maybe 3. Two returning starters that are seniors anyway. However, the young guys were able to get plenty of mat time this year. They are a really hard-working group of kids, and they manage to keep things fun.”

— Coach Gates

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Sumter (SC)

Sumter finished 16th in 5A in 2021 - all on the back of 285 lb. State Runner-up Davin Jackson. Strangely Jackson is listed as a Junior in 20-21, but is not listed on the roster submitted this fall. A big man that is that good on the mat is almost certainly as good on the football field (and Jackson is being heavily recruited by several D1 schools … that would be my guess as to why he isn’t listed on the roster).

Jackson isn’t the only wrestler on Sumter that can go out and score points. Sumter will welcome back several wrestlers that missed last season for one of many reasons … keep an eye on Jacob McDonald, Derrick McKnight, Tajon Roach, and Terrion Burgess - all 4 are Seniors and will look to make the most of their last opportunity. This is a Senior-heavy squad with Devin Brazelle, Jakarriez Sanders, Kamari Robinson also looking to make an impact in their final year.

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Enterprise (AL)

Enterprise graduated three Satte Qualifiers from last year’s squad, but return two hammers in State Placer Zach McFarland and Girls State Champion Evelyn Holmes-Smith. Evelyn wrestled both on both squads a year ago and finished the boys State Tournament 2-2 at 106. McFarland has been a perennial State Placer for Enterprise, but has yet to climb to the top of the podium at the state tournament … 2021-22 will be his final opportunity to take home the title.

McFarland and Holmes-Smith are joined by returning State Qualifiers Cody Kirk and Trace Woodward. Both won a match at last year’s state tournament and will look to improve on that this season and climb onto the podium. Keep an eye on rising freshman Kameron Stiffler. Evelyn Holmes-Smith is joined on the girls squad by Loriah Castro - who will look to climb the podium in 2022.

“We are looking to build off our successes last season. I think we have a lot more of a competitive spirit about us this year.”

— Coach Pipkins

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