Flowery Branch (GA)

Head Coach: Brett Clark

Staff: Caleb Hamilton, Matthew Seaman, Wyatt Slydek, Anthony Woodall

New program for Flowery Branch … I don’t believe they had any girls compete a year ago, but Coach Clark has put an emphasis on building the program and they will do so with three young ladies - a sophomore and a pair of freshmen. Keep an eye on Peyton Parker-Bittles who was a State Champ in Middle School a season ago - she will be joined by Bethany Noland and Estephanie Arias.

“Just getting the program going this year I am very excited about the girls we have. Peyton was State Champ in Middle school last year and Estephanie wrestled with the middle school as well. It’s a building process but we have the foundation with these young ladies to do well.”

— Coach Clark

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.

Cary (NC)

Head Coach: Jacob Tutterrow (Year 2 at Cary; 4 overall)

Staff: Jerry Winterton, Brandon Wilkins, Carlos Alvarez, Steven Amaya

Cary finished just outside the top 10 a season ago and despite losing State Runner-up Rylan Vann and State Qualifiers Ezra Jack and Jake Wolfram … this team fully expects to be in the top 10 in 2023. The Imps return 2x State Placer (1x Runner-up) Sam Grena as well as State Qualifier Aspen Talbot. They also return 2021 State Placer Johnny Ramos who missed the 2022 post-season due to injury. With Grena, Ramos, and Talbot leading the way, the Imps have a shot to make some noise … but like every other team - they will need the next group to step up and make a name for themselves this season.

Andrew Metters, Nathan Cowles, and Keontay Turner each competed in the post-season in 2022 and each will be counted on to make an impact this season. For Cowles and Turner it will be their last shot as both are Seniors this season. Two others to watch are Nik Barroso-Joslin and Will Watkins. Barroso-Joslin battle through injuries a year ago and when healthy was an important piece for the Imps. Assuming he is healthy and back - he could be very important to the Imps lineup this season. Watkins was a spot starter on varsity last season and still earned All-SWAC 2nd team … keep an eye on his to make some noise this season as well. The final piece could be Alex Schweitzer who should fit into the lineup just after Ramos down low. Keep an eye on the Imps as they look to push for a top 10 spot in 4A this season.

“The team will be a year older, of course we lost some power losing SQ Jake Wolfram and 3X State Finalist Rylan Vann, but we had a good replacement for Vann while he was recovering from injury last season that we expect good things from. We will be improved even though we have a few new faces coming into the lineup.”

— Coach Tutterrow

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.

St Francis (GA)

Head Coach: Chuck Bailey

Staff: Tom Mejia, Sam Rollins, Taylor Weaver

St Francis enters the 22-23 season with a ton of hype after breaking into the top 10 last season in Georgia 1A with pretty much a freshman lineup. They and the other 1A teams welcome Pepperell and Dade County into the mix this season, but that shouldn’t impact St. Francis’s climb. This team returns all of their point-getters from a year ago and entered the 2022 Sectional Tournament with 10 freshmen. This year’s squad will have another season under their belt and should be hunting a top 5 finish in Macon in 2023.

Returning State Placers Jace Parent (2nd at 138), Cade Parent (3rd at 138), and Daron Pigram (6th at 195) will be hunting the top step on the podium and should lead the way for the Knights. Egan Hadelman was a State Qualifier a season ago and will look to climb onto the podium this season. With 4 placers the Knights will be in the hunt, but in order to climb into the top 5 they will need several of the following wrestlers to step up and make an impact in 22-23. Chase Lent, Kevin Maven Winchester, Cole Erickson, Nathan Dobrzynski, and Daniel Davis each made sectionals last year as freshmen … if several of them can punch their ticket to Macon - watch out for the Knights. Keep an eye on Senior Henry Smith down low, as well as Sophomores Jack Hassler, Owen Hadelman, and Marcus Major … they will look to break into the lineup and push those in front of them. Also watch for a trio of freshmen - Eli Pawlish, Pace Lilenfeld and Mac Town - this season.

“We have a good group of guys that are working hard in the offseason whether it is in the weight room, track, or with 4 on 1’s these young men like to compete! We are excited about the upcoming season and planning on improving on our 10th place finish in traditional from last season.”

— Coach Bailey

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.