Lassiter (GA)

Lassiter finished 2nd to Buford in the 2021 team race at the 6A Traditional State Tournament. The Trojans lost some significant firepower with the graduation of State Champ RJ Weston, State Runner-up Frankie Valle, as well as State Placer Jack Dyess (and others). The Trojans lost more than 50% of their points (point-getters) from 2021 and will need some others to step up if they are going to be back in the mix again in 2022.

The Trojans do return State Champ David Panone and State Placers Ananth Manibushan and Jacobee Connell. All three will play a huge role in 2022 and each will be hunting the top step in February. The key for Lassiter is getting returning State Qualifiers Riley McElligot and Anthony Fiorenza on the podium, getting Alex Le and Noah Flisser to the state tournament and continue developing the next group which includes Carter Brickley. May Prado, Girls State Placer, is tough and will almost certainly be amongst the favorites to claim a state title at the Girls State Tournament (she was 4th in 2021).

“Graduated some firepower for sure, but we still return a solid team. We’re expecting to put a lot on the podium in February.”

— Coach Brickley

Chelsea (AL)

Chelsea finished 12th in the 2021 5A/6A Traditional State Tournament … they lose several of their hammers, but return quite a bit of depth with a ton of mat time and experience. State Placers Preston Royster and Adam Byerman have graduated and Cale Tucker is now at Vestavia - meaning Chelsea is going to need their 6 returning State Qualifiers to step up and make a push for a spot on the podium in 2022. Kalob Johnstone, Collin Burroughs, Bear Maxwell and Hunter Ingram each won a match at the 2021 Satte Tournament and will be counted on to lead the way in 21-22.

Caiden Conolley and Ian Osbourn each qualified a year ago and will be key to Chelsea continuing to develop. This squad has just 1 Senior that competed in the post-season a year ago … so the continued development of the Juniors and Sophomores will be huge this season (and for the 2022-23 season). Keep an eye on Bay Brush and Jones Malone at the bottom of the lineup as well as move-ins Rylee Creasey and Adam Cornwell.

“Our team has gone from the young group to growing with experience. The bulk of our wrestlers are juniors and sophomores now. With their maturity and experience, we should be able to compete strongly in duals and traditional formats. Several wrestlers have been working hard in the off-season at various local clubs along with our off-season program. Our staff is excited to see all our wrestlers gel together this season to create the best product on the mat as possible.”

— Coach Butler

Hillgrove (GA)

The Hawks finished 24th at the 7A Traditional State Tournament in 2021, but return a ton of talent and should be back in the mix for a top 10 finish in 2022. The Hawks are led by State Runner-up Connor Powell … Powell and Josiah Wehling are the only two seniors returning (that competed in the 2021 post-season) - so this team should be continue to develop over the year (and for years to come). The return of Zion Rutledge is also a big bonus for the Hawks and Rutledge is part of a Junior class that is deep. State Qualifiers Clark Young and Connor Cooper both return and will look to make a run for a spot on the podium.

Hillgrove also has several sophomores that gained valuable experience as freshmen in 2021 including State Qualifiers Brayden Gibson and Elliot Wehling. If can continue the development of the sophomore and junior talent - this team could make some noise at the end of 2022 and into 2022-23.

“After a down year by Hillgrove standards, we aim to compete for a region title, county title, and a shot at the elite 8. Led by returning state finalist Connor Powell (12), and top 8 finisher Connor Cooper (11), we are returning 9 starters from last years team. The wrestlers bought into the off-season program and are eager to demonstrate their improvement on the mat. ”

— Coach Slenczka