North Henderson (NC)

Head Coach: Heang Uy (entering 21st season)

Staff: Wayne Nock, John Williams, Joshua Stewart, Brian Delgrosso

North Henderson didn’t graduate a ton in terms of numbers, but did in terms of talent and that may make 2021-22 a little more interesting. Nationally-ranked and State Champ Triston Norris has graduated and is now training down the road in Boone at App State. The Knights also lose State Placer Lazaro Vasquez as well as State Qualifier Trevon Hill and Alex Mendoza to graduation. But North Henderson hasn’t become a mainstay in 3A by being a one-trick pony. They have a full compliment ready to step up and assume the void left by the departing Seniors.

Henry Portela claimed a spot on the podium last year as a sophomore and should be hunting that top step in 2022. The Knights also return State Qualifiers Ulises Vega and Peyton Fincher. The key to the Knights climbing back into the top 10 in 3A as a team will be how well wrestlers like Glennin Hanson, Peyton Cooper, Robert Cleto, and Chase Smith wrestle in 21-22. If they can make some noise - North Henderson shouldn’t miss a beat and will be back in the mix. Keep an eye on Curtis Carver, Francisco Rodriguez, Felix Montiel, Reese Meadows and a few others - they will look to make a difference as well this season.

“We graduated 2 state placers and 2 other state qualifiers, that was a big hit to our program. But we also return 3 state qualifiers and 1 state placer. We have a lot of wrestlers ready to step to the next level and I am excited about our incoming freshmen. Our girls numbers continue to grow. We will have depth and options across many weight classes, solid leaders, and just great kids.”

— Coach Uy

Toombs County (GA)

Head Coach: Todd Allen (1st season at Toombs; 10 years at college level)

Staff: Logan Daves, Wesley Bratton, Cruz Arredondo

Toombs County returns a handful of 2021 State Qualifiers and will look to make an impact in a tough Georgia 2A in 2022. The crew loses State Placer Chandler Lynn as well as 4 other State Qualifiers, but this year’s group has several hammers of their own that will look to climb onto the podium. Toombs returns 6 State Qualifiers (5 of which all won matches in Macon in 2021) - look for Tank Morris, Kameron Clark, Gibson Woods, Jacob Edwards, and Brock Nobles to make a run at the podium and lead this squad in 21-22.

Toombs also returns State Qualifier Trayvonne Harris as well as Samuel Register and both will look to make an impact in 2022. The future is bright as Toombs has 5 freshmen that will look to come in and push this team. Keep an eye on Dabvn Johnson, Axcel Barbosa, Anthony Ball, Zireese Scott, and Sam Kelly. If the freshmen can really compliment the returning starters - this year’s squad could be tough to beat.

“We are a young team, but my freshman class is committed and talented. We are reigniting the wrestling culture and tradition that Toombs County has had in the past. I have internal expectations for my team, but at the current moment we are focused on bringing a fight to every match and performing our best, wins and losses will take care of themselves.”

— Coach Allen

Veterans (GA)

Head Coach: Garrett Martin (entering 6th season)

Staff: Sean McSweeney, Austin Harrell

The Lady Warhawks will be a force to be reckoned with in 21-22. They finished 4th a year ago and return each of their point-getters from last year. Samantha Godfrey finished 3rd a year ago, but more importantly is that the Lady Warhawks had 9 qualifiers in total and more than half of them won multiple matches in Macon. If they can put Rachel Whetstone, Evelyn Kissell, and Alexis Andrade on the podium with Godfrey they will be tough to beat. Clara Maddox, Lexi Wilt, and Lillian Clark all return after competing in Macon and getting points from them could be huge in the team race. Keep an eye on Avrelia Shanahan - she will look to make some noise as well.

“Veterans Girls squad is continuing to grow and I’m projecting a strong showing this year. We graduated only one girl (nonstarter), so the same group of girls plus our new additions will complete our line up. Last years state placer (Godfrey) and our other three that got knocked out after going deep in the girls state brackets will all return to the mat this year. I’m excited about this special group and the momentum of girls wrestling as a whole. ”

— Coach Martin