Greenbrier (GA) - Boys

Head Coach: Tyrone Abero (5 years)

Staff: Aaron Epstein, Derek Pollard, Julian Brown, and Ryan McDermott

The Pack finished outside the top 10 at the traditional state tournament in 2022, but expect that to change this season. This is a team that returns all 32 of their state points from a year ago and should expect to add to that point total in a big way in 2023. The Pack return 3 State Placers in Sebastian Melendez, Cooper Comer, and Crisjaniel Martinez as well as State Qualifiers Boston McDermott, Ryan Claiborne, and Caden Pollard. Look for the Pack to be particularly tough in the middle of their lineup from Pollard at 126/132 through Comer at 157/165/175.

Add in Nat Jujaleon (113-126), Alex Salser (138/144), Jacob Braddock (165/175), and Kemper Schlereth (215) and the Pack have 10 returning with post-season experience and all with a legit shot to pack their bags to Macon in February. Whether the Pack climbs into the top 5 in 5A will likely come down to two things: 1) how well Jujaleon, Salser, Braddock, and Schlereth continue to develop, and 2) whether Caden Hammerstrom, Nate Rank, and Ben Rezendez can fill in the other spots in the lineup. Keep an eye on a quartet of freshmen to make some noise as well … Leo Gallagher (106), Jack Gray (113-120), King Drumgoole (113-120), and Caden Williams (144-150) could help push the Pack into the top 5 as well.

“We are excited about this years team as 4 of our starters participated in National level tournaments this summer! All 6 state qualifiers return including 3 state placers, Crisjaniel Martinez-Antonetty, Cooper Comer and Sebastian Melendez! Boston McDermott, Caden Pollard and Alex Salser along with over 25 kids have worked hard all summer! We are also excited about the young talent coming in with Leo Gallagher, King Drumgoole and Nathan Gooding leading the way! The goals include finishing in the top 5 for the duals in the 5A while having multiple state placers and state champs! Go Pack!”

— Coach Abero

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Greenbrier (GA) - Girls

Head Coach: Donell Bradley (1st year)

Staff: Aaron Epstein, Derek Pollard, Julian Brown, and Ryan McDermott

No team scores a season ago for the Girls, but if there had been … the Pack would’ve been in the hunt. 2022 State Runner-up Jayde Massa and State Placer Arieana Bacon (4th at 152) along with State Qualifier Phoebe Melvin led the way in 2022 and should do so again this season. All three return and each will look to push to the top of the podium after just missing a season ago. The Pack also features 10 others with experience including a pair of Seniors in Julia Zanatta and Katlyn Means.

Add in Juniors Jordan Epstein, Ryan Lewis, Mya Pilger and Trinity Pritchett and Sophomores Liz Martinez and Jalaia Ross and this team has all of the makings of a team that can make a run for the title. Keep an eye on Senior Lyric Drumgoole and freshmen Journey Drumgoole and Esperanza Huiton … if they can fit into the lineup down low then this is a team that will push Chestatee and the others for the top step. The Pack is tough from 130-195 … the key to a title will be Epstein, Drumgoole (x2) and Lewis down low and finding a 235 to fit into a solid lineup from top to bottom.

“We are excited about the upcoming season. We have a solid group of returning wrestlers that are leading the way with some new faces that are sure to make a statement. Last year was about building the foundation and making sure we didn’t let the “speedbumps” slow down our progress. This year we are going in with the objective of tearing down the walls that stand between us and greatness. That “greatness” will mean different things for each girl, but if we stick to that we will do great things this season.”

— Coach Bradley

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Fairview (TN)

Head Coach: James “Bubba” Derrick (9 years)

Staff: Biff Curtis and Denny Mitchell

Fairview graduated a quartet of hammers including 220 lb. State Champ Jacob Clevenger and State Qualifiers Sam Hammon, Marco Pukl, and Blake Mitchell. Those four accounted for about half from a Fairview squad that finished 8th a year ago Class 1A. That said, this year’s squad has the opportunity to be even better and should be amongst the contenders for a top 3 finish in 2023. The Jackets are led by returning 182 lb. State Champ Kendrick Curtis as well as State Qualifiers Coleman Caldwell, Keegan Seaver, and Allen Reynolds. The Jackets have a large Senior class that is at least 10 deep and they will be counted on to help the Jackets be in the hunt this season. But the key for the Jackets will be the return of Malachi Bennett who missed the post-season a year ago.

Seniors Josh Helm, Rion Bates, Troy Sexton, and Henry Ribble will be counted on to solidify the middle of the lineup (from 120-145). If fellow Seniors Jeffrey Anderson, John Spicer, and Boe Sanderson can fill-in the spots around Malachi Bennett and Kendrick Curtis up top, this Jacket team could see a lineup that features a Senior in every spot from 120-195. Add in a handful of Juniors and Sophomores including Allen Reynolds and Coleman Caldwell and this team should have an experienced wrestler in nearly every spot in the lineup. Keep an eye on Junior’s Walker Crowe, Weston Pope, Noah Bates, and Sam Borre as well as the return of Sam Frank. Underclassmen Dallas Day, Peyton Mitchell, Turbo Lange, Will Frank, Logan Baxley, Logan Oxendine, and Scotty Henderson will look to break into the lineup as well.

“We have some strong talent returning this year in what will be our largest squad in history and our most senior dominated squad in history. We have depth and seasoned wrestlers up and down the entire lineup. Some key returners for the Jackets this year are state champion Kendrick Curtis, as well as returning state placers Malachi Bennett, Keegan Seaver, Jeffrey Anderson, and Sam Frank. Anderson and Frank are returning from injuries last year, which would have made a huge impact for us in going back to back as Dual State Champions. We have a lot of kids, a lot of athletes, we have a lot of small kids and a lot of big kids and a lot of experienced kids. We are hungry and angry after last year and we will be on the hunt.”

— Coach Derrick

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.