Gilmer (GA)

Head Coach: Joshua Ghobadpoor (5th Year at Gilme, 12th Overall)

Staff: DJ Underwood, Stacy Galloway, Brent Berry, Dan Puac

Gilmer is always amongst the best programs in Georgia - regardless of their size. 2021-2022 should be no different. The Bobcats are eligible to return the majority of their point-getters from last year’s state tournament including 4 that made the podium in 2021. Carson Farist claimed a state title as a freshman and will look to make it two in a row in 2022. Dylan Galloway, Arturo Gonzalez, and Diego Jacinto each finished 2nd and should be amongst the favorites to take the top step this season. If Gilmer can put 4 on top of the podium they will be tough to beat.

The Bobcats also have Miguel Jacinto, Daniel Reynoso, Kellan Watts, Owen Moss, and Tony Olea that just missed the podium a year ago and should be in the hunt for a spot in 2022. On paper - Gilmer has to be one of the teams to beat, but each of those mentioned above will need to come through to make that happen. Keep an eye on Juan Rafael, Bregan Barry, Leo Domingo, Pascual Escobar and others as they look to fill spots and make an impact in 2022.

“Our entire program has very high expectations for this season as we always do. We are blessed to have a great tradition and want to continue to make our community proud. Our goal is to be State Champions! We have been State Runner-Ups the last 5 years and we are ready to break through that plateau. Last year was a tough year, with things out of our control ultimately being a factor. That has just made our wrestlers even more hungry and they have been working hard this off-season. We have an amazing group of wrestlers with many State Champs, Runner Ups, Placers, and Qualifiers returning. It should be an exciting year, with a schedule that will have us battle tested!”

— Coach Ghobadpoor

Hartselle (AL)

Head Coach: Joseph Hill (entering 2nd season)

Staff: Danny Timms, Joey Schutt

Hartselle returns 8 of their 12 State Qualifier including 2020 State Champ (and 2021 State Placer) Lincoln Bryant. Bryant, who is just a sophomore, will be tasked with leading another young squad in 2021-22. Of their returners they have just 2 Juniors, several sophomores, and a few freshmen. But they also have several that had multiple wins in Huntsville in 2021 and should be hunting a spot on the podium in 2022. Ethan England, Caden McDonald, Gage Roberts, and Payton Roberts are all capable of joining Bryant on the podium.

Keep and eye on Jacob Doshier and Jameyson Waits - both qualified a year ago and will look to make that happen again in 2022. Magnus Hanners and Austin Spivey will look to step in and have an impact in 2021-22 as well.

“We’re still very young, but coming off a solid year. Winning the region dual title, tying a school record of 12 state qualifiers and returning eight with one placer. After a solid summer I’m excited to see this team push themselves, with the confidence gained from last year, to have more success this year. ”

— Coach Hill

Hernando (FL)

Head Coach: David Pritz (entering 10th season)

Staff: Kenneth Day, Chance Phillips, Dominic Nardini

Coach Pritz and the Hernando Leopards graduated a ton in 2021 and enter this season with a bunch of new faces. State Placers Sam Fleming, Chris Spellman, Billy Gould, as well as SQ’s Jason Perez, Billy Fetzner, and Johnathan Ahne have all graduated. The Leopards return 2 State Qualifiers in TJ Rodier and Diego Mojica, but for the most part the Leopards will be looking for some new faces to step up and fill the void left by the departing hammers.

Keep an eye on Cael Phillips, James Gadson, Jayshawn Nantce, and Nate Greene. Each returns and will be counted on to make an impact in 2022. The Leopards also have Kyle Pearson, Jordyn Valle, Xavier Mejia, and Colton Ashworth that will look to step in make a difference this season. It will be exciting to see how Rodier and Mojica work to lead this new group.

“This will be one of the younger teams I have had in the last few years but our expectations remain the same. These kids have been working hard all off season and we expect them to rise to the challenge. ”

— Coach Pritz