A.L. Brown (NC)

Head Coach: Adam Monteith (entering 11th season)

Staff: Scott Russell

A very young squad a year ago - this team returns their entire lineup and should be a force as they move from 3A to 4A. The Wonders (I’d love to know more about that nickname) return two hammers in 2021 State Champ Gavin Hartsell and 2021 State Runner-up Trevor Freeman. This is a team that qualified 7 for the Midwest Region in 2021 (2 Juniors, 2 Sophomores, and 3 Freshmen) … meaning this is a group that has the experience to make some noise in 2022.

Hartsell and Freeman should lead the way, but it will be up to Ethan West, Daniel Maye, Jonathan Stanback, Gabriel McGee, and Bryce Simpson to help push the Wonders into the top 10 in 4A … each will look to punch his ticket to the state tournament in 2022. Keep an eye on Raouf Dalsing, Eduardo Salado, and Bryce Simpson as they look to make an impact this season as well.

“We were really young last year but should return everyone from the lineup. With a returning state champion and returning runner up, we look to build off a really positive year last year.”

— Coach Monteith

Monroe Area (GA)

Head Coach: James Daniel

Staff: Scott Hill, Bud Nguyen

The Canes finished in the top 30 at the 2021 3A Traditional State Tournament. With those that are returning - I’d expect that they will push into the top 15 or 20 in 2022. State Placer Bernard Manga returns and will lead the way. Manga who was 3rd in 2021 will be hunting the top step in 2022. Tyler Willhite also returns for his senior season and will look to climb onto the podium in 2022 after just missing a year ago.

Keep an eye on Bradyn Sorrow, Mason Keenum, Zillion Hammond, and Jose Padilla. They will be the key to whether Monroe Area makes a big jump in 21-22 … each will look to punch his ticket to Macon (and if they can make that happen then the Canes should have 6 working to make the podium). Coach Daniel will look to some others that have experience to take that next step and make an impact in 2022.

“We bring back 12 of 14 weight classes and a have a few State Qualifiers returning in the line-up. Manga, Sorrow, and Willhite all have State Tournament experience. There are some other who just missed qualifying last year, so I expect some of them (Keenum 45, Hammond52/60, Padilla 82/95) to make the jump! ”

— Coach Daniel

Betlon-Honea Path (SC)

Head Coach: Chris Strickland (entering 13th season at BHP; 8 at Crescent)

Staff: Dylan Gary, Tony Luna, Nathan Turner, Derek Harris

BHP took home the 3A title a year ago and return several hammers in 21-22. But they will need all 14 weights to step up and make a mark if they are going to retain the 3A title in 2022. West-Oak, Gilbert, Powdersville, and others look ready to challenge BHP for the title. The Bears lost several key wrestlers to graduation - Easton Brannen, Tyler Center, and Hayden Lawter - as well as 2x State Finalist Will Hendricks who moved to Myrtle Beach. That means that those returning will need to lead the way and that some new faces will need to step up and make their mark.

The cupboard is far from bare at BHP - the Bears return State Champs Cooper Strickland and Jojo Morris as well as 2x State Qualifier Eli Strickland, and Region Champs Patrick Stone and Joseph Lawton. I would expect those 5 will keep BHP in the mix for another 3A title in 2022. But it will be up to Seniors Ethan Babb, Will Tollison, and Logan Lollis as well as Juniors Cason Young and Grant Lawter to help push BHP over the top. Keep an eye on Sophomore Nolan Maness and incoming freshman Jayden Morris to make some noise in 2022. The Bears have all of the pieces to keep that 3A title at home - but they must rise to the occasion and hold off a strong pack of contenders.

“Coming off a state championship year I have reminded our guys over and over you can’t live off of last week’s groceries. This team is to make thier own mark, their own legacy. The standard and expectations haven’t changed. There are several very tough teams in AAA, if we are to compete, we must come to work everyday to get better. We have had a good summer, looking forward to the start of preseason here next week. Our schedule is a challenging one that I hope will prepare us for the postseason as a team and as individuals. My hope is that we peak just at the right time.”

— Coach Strickland