Woodward Academy (Georgia)

Head Coach: Jeff Ragan (entering 8th season)

Staff: Anthony Rivera, Mickey Statham, Kevin Artis, Tommy Carney, Luke Underwood, Pete Fritts, Pete Chen

There might not be a better 1, 2, 3 punch in high school wrestling than Kilic, Filipowicz, and Singleton. All three are uber talented and will after the 21-22 season take their talents to a Division 1 program (Kilic to Arizona State, Filipowicz to West Point, and Singleton to NC State). But you can’t win a state title on 3 hammers alone. Ragan has been cultivating the rest of the pieces and will attempt to dethrone Woodland this season. Woodward also returns State Champ Colby McBride as well as State Placers Jaylin Tate, Ben Valdes, and Tristen Hill. That makes 7, but to beat Woodland (or some of the other 5A powers) they will need some others to step up and make some noise in 2022.

State Qualifiers Connor Phillips, Ryan Seeb, Ayden Lightner, Ian Wallace, and Noah Song will be counted on to score points. Ragan will also look to some new faces to step in and compete for varsity spots and state tournament points - they include Hayden Fritts, Heath Augustyn, and Robby DeHaven. If Woodward can get points (in both duals and at the state tournament) from the eight mentioned above - they will be tough to beat in 2022.

“With only graduating 2 seniors last season and returning 12 of our state qualifiers, as well as all of our 7 state placers, and all 4 of our state champions we are excited about the 2021-2022 season but we are also excited about some very talented new comers that will make our line up even tougher, giving us a very tough as well as balanced line up this season.”

— Coach Ragan

Walnut Grove (Georgia)

Head Coach: Paul Vanstone

Walnut Grove finished 9th at the 2021 5A Traditional State Tournament. This group returns some hammers and will look to push the top 5A teams in 2022. The Warriors should be tough down low and will have some experience. Look for Sophomores Luke Meredith, Gunner Stringfield, and Brandy Rangel-Mendoza could all contribute this season after getting a year under their belts. Jacob Helms and State Champ transfer Landon Moss should make a big impact toward the top part of the lineup, but for the Warriors to challenge the top in 5A they will need returning hammers Kale Griswell, Jack Ponder, Gage Ragsdale, and Skyler Jones to push for spots high on the podium in Macon throughout the middle of the lineup.

Keep an eye on Aiden Martin, Gareth Aderhold, Zeb Dawkins, Zied Basti, and Parker Warren to be important pieces throughout and each will be hunting for a breakout season in 2022. Don’t be surprised if Damion Wasendorf, Max Balsamo, Gabe Branham, as well as freshman Hunter Cousins make an impact this season as well. The pieces are set for the Warriors to make an impact in 2021-2022.

“We are fairly senior heavy, and expectations are high.

If we are a little lucky with our health, a little good, and coach our tails off...we could be competing for a Trophy at State Duals.”

— Coach Vanstone

New Hampstead (Georgia)

Head Coach: O'Darius Williamson (4th Season)

Staff: Alfred Boni

New Hampstead finished 25th at the 2021 4A Traditional State Tournament and the Phoenix return many of those wrestlers this season. Meaning the expectations are that New Hampstead will make some gains in 2021-2022. The Phoenix do lose their lone 2021 State Placer in Malcolm Collins, but bring back 7 that competed in Macon at the end of last year. Andrew Brown, Jimmy Eide, Max Ruiz, and Elijah Lawton each won a match in Macon and will be counted on to lead the rise of the Phoenix in 2022.

Keep an eye on Dylan Nessen and Dwayne Phelps - both qualified in 2021 and will be counted on this make some noise this year. The Phoenix also welcome Dilyn Zanetti, Jayce Huerta, and Leah Hynes … their development will also be key to any 2021-2022 success.

“We are fired up to having a full season this year as last year we lost the first half of it. We have most of our starters returning with state experience and quite a bit of freshman and newcomers this year. If we are able to fill holes and produce the same work ethic like we did over the summer we will have a chance to not only win the region for the first time in program history, but also make some noise in the post-season for both duals and traditionals.

I have high expectations of leadership this year from my returner Max Ruiz (120.) He had the biggest gains this off season, competing in NHSCA Nationals and Super 32 Early Qualifier. With this experience, he’s using this high-level knowledge to prepare himself for the upcoming season. Dwayne Phelps (145) Jimmy Eide (170) Dylan Nessen (195) and Elijah Lawton (285) also competed in NHSCA Nationals and did well against very tough competition. I’m looking forward for these group of young men to step up and lead the way. We will also have Dilyn Zanetti (182/195) back with us as well as last year an injury kept him from being able to compete. As a freshman, he made it to 5A Sectionals as an undersized wrestler and throughout the season won some huge matches for us. A newcomer to keep your eyes on is Leah Hynes (132/138.) She has been doing some training leading up to her first year with us and looked impressive over the summer with our workouts. This may be the best dual group New Hampstead has ever seen and we are continuously getting better as the years go by.”

— Coach Williamson