New Smyrna Beach (FL)

Head Coach: Kevin Kehoe (entering 8th season)

Staff: Mike Strouse, Issac Bernard

Coach Kehoe and NSB return a solid squad that will look to make some noise in 2A this season. They do lose State Placer Doug Dittmer to graduation and Michael Shannon to transfer, but return a solid squad that could be even better in 2021-2022. State Qualifiers Jamie Bruner and Jace Engberg will lead the way and both should be hunting a spot on the podium this season. Don’t be surprised if Bruner and Engberg are joined in Kissimmee by siblings … Jonathan Bruner - a freshman with a ton of experience and Simjay Engberg who was having a great season last year before Covid complications ended his season.

Keep an eye on Aidan Sutton, Justis Chandler, Jackson Farmer, and Dylon York … each will play a key role in the success of the Barracudas in 2021-2022. Austin Mitchum and Braden Sullivan are two other names to watch for as is North Carolina transfer Cole Billings. NSB should be in the thick of things again this season.

“Our team is loaded with senior leadership and a strong work effort with a commitment to win. Our line up is solid with competition at several weight classes and we look to improve on last year’s (19-2) team Dual’s Regional Championship and get 8 or 9 guys to the State Tournament.”

— Coach Kehoe

Hudson (FL)

Head Coach: Rob Burgos (entering 5th season)

Staff: Billy Uribes, Jon DeLucco, Brian Monser, Ken Simmons

Hudson returns a healthy group and is back in 1A in 2021-22. Matthew Tanner and Cole Kanehl each put up multiple wins at the region tournament last year and look to be Hudson’s best shot at having a state qualifier in 2022. Keep an eye on Gavyn Uribes and Ahmed Mehyar - both could surprise a few people this season as well as Ethan Josephik who transferred from Ancolte and Martin Michaels who transferred from Clearwater.

Also watch for Julia Salgado who is ranked on Kabra in the girls division and Keeana "Kiki" Bush 106 newcomer with a lot of promise in the girls division, Landon Monser and Michael Pascale both return as well as does Joshua Jofre after missing last season.

“We were moved to a new District and Region after finishing second in our District last year. We have a great mix of returning guys as well as transfers with experience. We should be tough and we are looking forward to the new competition.”

— Coach Burgos

Oglethorpe County (Georgia)

Head Coach: Tim Stoudenmire

Oglethorpe County lost 5 guys from the roster of last year’s dual state championship team to graduation.  They we will have some new faces in the lineup but those faces have been in the program for a while and are ready to get their chance to compete.  So you shouldn’t expect any drop off from this year’s OC squad. With 3 “seasoned” freshman competing for spots, Coach Stoudenmire has to feel very good about the future of the program.

Returning State Champs Bryan Valladares and Shane Watson return and should lead the way in 2022. Both expect to claim another title before they wrap up their high school careers. Clay Frost and Zack Wray finished on the podium a year ago and both will look to climb to the top step in 2022. The key, in my opinion, to Oglethorpe defending their dual title and making a run at the traditional title is the wrestling of their 2021 State Qualifiers. If Austin Kort, Nate Brown, Edward Bridges, and Zanayain Hawkins can make some noise in Macon - Oglethorpe County will be tough to beat in 2022. Keep an eye on Chayton Tuck - qualifier a year ago, but placer two years ago and has the ability to make a serious run at the top step as well.

“We have 13 seniors, many of which will be in the lineup for the first time ever as we have been deep at many weights for the past few years.  We have a tough schedule and hope to have our team ready by the end of the season.”

— Coach Stoudenmire