Wilson Central (TN)

Wilson Central graduate multiple time State Champ Thomas Borders and State Placers Alan Fort and Jesse Richardson … but the Wildcats shouldn’t miss a beat with the team they have coming back in 2021-22. The Wildcats have been on the doorstep of the 3A title for years, but haven’t been able to unlock the Cleveland team thus far (finishing 2nd to Cleveland for at least the last 3 years). Can this year’s squad bring the 2A (the largest class in TN this year is 2A) title back to middle Tennessee in 2022?

The Wildcats will be led by State Placers Steven Fisak, Brady Jarvis, Nicholas Mercante, Riley Fort, and Noah Todd. Add in Connor Warnock and Paul Johnson and the Wildcats have 7 that should be somewhere on the podium in February. But to overcome Cleveland they will need the other 7 weights to step up and make some big contributions. Keep an eye on Matthew Hills, Anthony Glasgow, and Connor Staggs, and Wendell Myers … and this team could make things interesting (but some of those new faces will need to score points if they are going to have a chance). Don’t sleep on the freshmen - Trey Hicks and Vance Blake … they could difference makers as well.

“We return 5 state medallists, 1 kid that lost in the blood round and 3 2x state qualifiers, and another who made it to state as a freshman but couldn’t compete.”

— Asst. Coach Hamm

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

Clover (SC)

Head Coach: Michael Fitzgerald (entering year 20)

Associate Head Coach: Chauncey McElheney

Staff: Leslie Miller, Rusty Yaple, Tyler McElheney

Clover had a good run in 2021 - finishing 6th at the 5A Traditional State Tournament. Coach Fitzgerald got 6 qualifiers through (in a tough year given covid restrictions and qualifying) and put 5 of those 6 on the podium. Three of those Eagles have graduated and moved on, but 3 return and they should lead the team in 2021-22. Yannis Charles finished 2nd at 132 and had a good summer - making the podium in the Fargo. He is joined by Jaden Charles who finished 4th a year ago at 106 and Enoch Long who qualified at 138.

If Clover is going to make a run back at the top 5 they will need others step and fill the gaps (and points) left by the graduation of Graysen Lathem, Asa Walton, and TJ Stacey. The Eagles are looking forward to the return of former Region Champ Amir Muhammad who was out last year and returns for his senior season. Coach Fitzgerald will also look to Wilton Grice, Michael Tomko, Kaevon Garnder, and Isaiah Plummer to step up - particularly in the upperweights where Clover lost their hammers to graduation. Keep an eye on Jaden Sikorski and Carson Enix - both will look to make some noise in 2022.

“We are excited to get back on the mat this year. We have 2 returning state placers and a returning state qualifier from last year. The goal is always the same every year, win the region and then get the next best thing. We lost a lot to graduation so we will be relying on some new faces to get us where we want to go.”

— Coach Fitzgerald