Alexander (GA)

Head Coach: Daryk Cochran

Staff: Sean Moistner, Dave Mathews, Kyle Cadman, Tracy Palmer

To say that the Alexander Girls program “has always been strong” would be a huge understatement. Coach Cochran and Moistner had a very strong program long before girls wrestling was sanctioned by the GHSA and have continued to recruit and develop the talent at Alexander over the last several years. Alexander finished 2nd to Chestatee a year ago - brining 9 to the state tournament and putting two on the podium in what were some extremely large brackets (not qualifying with Covid a year ago - so wrestlers had to win 6 or more matches in some weights to make the podium).

Dream Santiago - multiple time State Champ - has graduated, but ALX looks ready to make another run with those returning. Brooke Ligon finished 6th in 2021at 132 and should be pushing for the top step on the podium in 2022. She is joined by returning State Qualifiers Meta Xayabouth-Jones, Paige Fennell, Lindsay Watts, Leia Bossie, and Lily Buckelew. Add in Sophomore Haley Alexander and freshman Lilly Jaillet and Alexander looks poised to make another run for the top step in 2022.

“Our girls program has always been strong; we are looking to continue our growth to dominating our opponents.”

— Coach Cochran

South Dade (FL)

Head Coach: Victor Balmeceda (entering 29th season)

Staff: Humberto "Duck" Reyna, Chino Duran, David Zuniga

The South Dade train keeps rolling. There was a moment in the 2020-2021 season where there was some question of whether the Bucs would claim another title or not - Southwest Miami had been close all season and knocked South Dade from the top spot in the Region 4 team race a week before the traditional state tournament. But just when the whispers began - Balmeceda and his staff had the Bucs ready to win #20. Balmeceda seems to get every point he can from his squad at the state tournament and the 2021 traditional state tournament was no exception (the Bucs won by more than 30).

This team is used to having to reload instead of rebuild (otherwise they never would have amassed their current streak … so who returns to lead the way in 2021-22? The Bucs have 5 returning State Placers including State Champs Sawyer Bartelt and Adrian Morales, State Runner-up (and 2020 State Champ) Alex Couto, Cordell White, and Gavin Balmeceda. They also return State Qualifiers Misha Arbos and Luis Acevedo. The top of the lineup was the concern a year ago and it will be interesting to see if Balmeceda has developed the next group to step in up top.

The reloading comes in the form of EJ Solis as well as transfers Christopher Sanchez, Luis Arboleta and Ansel Cervantes … all 4 will make an impact in 2022. We know what Bartelt, Couto, etc. can do on the big stage - it will be interesting to see how Obby Encarnacion, Josh Aviles, Andrew Miller, Jaden Salgado, and incoming freshman Nathaniel Williams do when the bright lights come on. South Dade has to be the favorites to claim state titles again in 2022.

“New year, new team, same exact goals: go undefeated in duals and win another 2 state championships. We definitely have the horses to win our 9th consecutive state championship as well as our 5th consecutive dual meet state title and that is all you can ask for. We have built a tradition and the expectations are always high here at South Dade and I wouldn’t have it any other way. In order to reach these goals every athlete must come together to fight as a team and for their team. We need to stay heathy and most of all hungry for our 21st and 22nd State Championship titles.”

— Coach Balmeceda

Tenoroc (FL)

Head Coach: Anthony Cerullo (entering 5th season)

Staff: Devone Williams, Nick Thomas, Nicholas Balkevicius, Robert Lamonthe, Grant Smith

The Titans return State Qualifiers Branden Coleman, Kris Hunter, and DJ Gillians as well as a solid crew that just missed on a trip to the 2021 state tournament in Kissimmee. State Qualifier Gabriel Leach has graduated as have Adrian Aguilara and Josh Collaman, but this is a team that has the pieces to make some noise in 1A in 21-22.

Rafael Paz, Leighton Tinch, and Juan Santana each won matches at the 1A Region 3 Tournament a year ago and each will be looking to punch their ticket to Kissimmee in 2022. Keep an eye on Connor Cardenas who missed last year because of injury as well as Wes Booker and Jordyn Kent. Nick Haworth wasn’t on the roster I saw from Tenoroc, but if he is back then the Titans have another returning qualifier in the fold and ready to make some noise in 2022.

“We return 5 kids who have experience wrestling in the State tourney. We have had the most active off season in my 4 years with the program. Have been doing something major with our core group and we have put ourselves in position to stand on the podium at State in Kissimmee in March. If we can fill our holes at heavy and 195 we could be in the mix at the regional level in the dual series”

— Coach Cerullo