TL Hanna (SC)

Hanna continues the uphill climb in tough South Carolina 5A. Hanna made significant strides a year ago and return Junior State Qualifier Julian Vandiver to help lead the way in 2021-2022. Vandiver, given the change in qualification because of Covid in 2020, is Hanna’s only returning qualifier, but this group has a core to help them move into the top 15 in 5A in 2022. Tyler Scanlon, Nathan Fendley, and Ethan Smith Cook will play a huge role in pushing Hanna into the top 20 in 2022. Each has a wealth of experience and should be key in helping the next as they continue to develop.

Keep an eye on a large group of Sophomores that include Davis Brown, Ty Bridges, Landon Loftis, Tristan Carroll, Eddie Pino and others. This team should continue to get better and could be quite a force in 2022-2023. Don’t be surprised if Hagan Moon makes some noise in 2022 as well.

“The program is headed in the right direction coming off an 11-4 dual record and region runner up in the 2020-2021 season behind state champion Hillcrest. We return 4 who were Region 1-AAAAA runners up in Cook, Fendley, Scanlon, and state qualifier Vandiver. We are excited about the direction the program is headed and we have a lot of returners who have varsity experience.”

— Coach Abernathy

Benedictine (GA)

Head Coach: Joe Tvrdy (entering his 21st season)

Staff: Harry West

Benedictine return a solid group after losing just 2 Seniors from the 2020-2021 squad. This is a team with experience and will look to make some noise in 4A this coming season. Not only do they return experience - they return a host of wrestlers with state tournament experience (and several that had multiple wins in 2021 in Macon). Seniors Gabe Tvrdy, Kyen Argentinis, and Shayne Strickland shoudl lead the way and each will look to climb onto the podium in 2022.

Keep an eye on Xander Argentinis and Kaz Meriwether - both wrestled great as freshmen a year ago and both should also be hunting for a spot on the podium in 2022. Three Seniors - William Crawford, Alex Ramsey, and Valerio Magluilo should be key to seeing how high Benedictine climbs in 2022 … this is a team with a lot of experience - if they can pull it altogether they have a real chance to greatly improve on their 11th place finish from a year ago (a top 5 finish is within their reach). Freshmen Connor Desautels and John Dodson will be two others to watch as well.

“BC only lost 2 seniors off last year’s team. We have a lot of good wrestlers returning but have to sort out our line-up.”

— Coach Tvrdy

Brentwood (TN)

Head Coach: Damon Smith

Staff: Will Slasor, Adam Lopez, Chip Brothers, and Russell Hoop

Brentwood returns fully-loaded for the 21-22 season. All 12 of their wrestlers that competed in the 2021 post-season return including State Placer Zach Ordonez and State Qualifiers Arash Yazdani and Clark Vaughn. Ordonez has to be amongst the favorites and Yazdani and Vaughn should each be looking to make the podium as well. But the key to Brentwood, and their potential success as a team, is the return of a ton of starters that have been on the mat and have that experience as we move into 21-22.

Hunter Meade, Cole Moss, Noah Dixon as well as many others could each punch their ticket to the state tournament in 2022. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bears push 6-8 through to the big dance. Don’t be surprised if Dean Klueepelberg and Jake Beightol make some noise in their final year.

“We are excited to bring our whole team back this season. We should be pretty strong with some great leadership from our upperclassmen. We strive to win our Region and qualify as many for the State tournament in February.”

— Coach Smith