Wetumpka (AL)

Head Coach: Josh Highland

Wetumpka finished 11th in 2022 - expect that to change in 2023. Wetumpka is loaded from top to bottom and in the new look 6A they should be in the hunt for a top 3-5 finish (they have all of the pieces to make a serious run at the title, but Mortimer Jordan, McAdory, Gardendale and a few others still stand in their way). The Indians return all of their point-getters from last season and add 2x State Placer Ramon Lozada from Elmore County. Chad Strickland, Noah Smith, Willie Cox, and Christian Preston each made the podium last season and each has all of the tools to take the top spot this season. Add in 2x State Placer Ramon Lozada and State Qualifiers Roman McWilliams and Kaleb Robinson and this is a team that can compete with anyone in the state.

Wetumpka will be especially tough from 113-132 where Strickland, Smith, McWilliams, and Lozada could get them 24 points in a dual. Preston and Cox will hold down the top part of the lineup … so that leaves the middle (138-182) … and that is where Wetumpka will either be in the hunt or not. Tyler Mann, Zach Crosthwait, Brantley Woodall, and Melvin Owens will be called on to make an impact … if they do then the sky is the limit for Wetumpka in a very competitive 6A. Keep an eye on Peyton Dickey, Caleb Robinson, Americus Bartee, Ethan Blake, and Ethan Bailey … each will have their opportunity to make an impact in 22-23 as well.

“We have a very solid wrestling room for this upcoming wrestling season. We have everyone coming back from the previous year with a few additions. I expect to have a really good season and make a run for a state title.”

— Coach Highland

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.

TL Hanna (SC)

Head Coach: Lance Abernathy (3 at Hanna)

Staff: Joe Alessandrini, Charlie Wohlieb, Daniel Troidl, Lucas Conti

Hanna finished off a really good 2021-22 season and return a handful of hammers that have an opportunity to push Hanna into the conversation in 5A. Two years ago Hanna was 9th at Upperstate, last year they finished 7th … this year they have a team that could make some noise and break into the top 3. Senior Nathan Fendley won UpperState a season ago and will look to lead the way this season. Fendley will be the key down low for a Hanna team that should feature Seniors between 113-132 with Fendley, Ethan Smith Cook, and Hagen Moon (a returning SQ as well). Add in a pair sophomores with Lex Abernathy and Jackson Walters at 106 and 113 and the Jackets should begin any dual in a strong position.

Devin Taylor, David Brown, Michael Alessandrini, Ryan Henderson, Ty Bridges and Seniors Jalan Vandiver, Jackson Bolt, and Mark Mulkins will solidify the middle of the lineup from 132-170. Tristan Carroll, Julius Norris, and Riley Lewis will be called on to handle the top of the lineup. Hanna has a ton of experience returning from a solid team from a season ago. The next step is getting a few more through to the state tournament and to get some wins (and points) once they are there.

“We return quite a bit of experience off of a 23-2 region runner-up dual team with 4 returning state qualifiers in the lineup. We had a great summer and many of our wrestlers have progressed this offseason. Our SR group has played a major role in changing the culture in the room and we are looking forward to seeing them compete this season. We have a solid schedule with a mix of tourneys from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.”

— Coach Abernathy

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.

Chestatee (GA)

Head Coach: Scott DeGraff II (2 years)

Staff: Carey Whitlow, Jessi Askew, Matthew McClellan

Chestatee finished 6th in the 4A Traditional State Tournament a season ago. With the firepower they have returning they are not only looking to push into the top 5, but also make a run for the top step in 22-23. Chestatee return 4 of the 5 wrestlers that made the podium a year ago as well as both of their other state qualifiers … meaning 6 Eagles will be hunting the podium this season. Chris Pruitt, Daniel Zaleta, Angel Solorzano, and Ely Raines each made the podium in 2022 and each will be looking to finish on the top step in 2023. Alexis Guardado and Bryant Barnes each return after punching their ticket to Macon a year ago … this is an experienced Chestatee squad that has all the makings of a championship team.

The key will be the continued development of Andy Cervantes, TJ Terry, Caysen Goss, Triston Minor, Brenden Carlson and Nate Brazier. Each competed at the sectional tournament a year ago and if Chestatee can get a few of those six or a few others to make an impact … this will be a tough team to beat. Keep an eye on Kadin McDonald, Hector Espinoza, Bryan Silgeuro, Angel Garduno, Ulisses Arellano as well as Peyton Rowe, Kevin Santos, Justus Robinson, and Jarim Valderrama. Chestatee also features 8 freshmen that will look to break into the lineup and make a name for themselves … Brody Burke, Owen Etris, Ben Plemons, Aiden Edwards, Liam Budd, Marcus Quijada, Blake Migalla, and Hayden Sullens. Chestatee has the numbers to compete with anyone … not they need to find the right pieces to the puzzle - if Coach DeGraff and his staff can do that then Chestaee will be in the hunt when we get to the last day of the season.

“We have a very experienced group this year that we are excited about. We have multiple state placers returning as well as many others ready to step into the starting line-up. Our kids have worked extremely hard this off season and are anxious for the season to get started. These wrestlers have bought into what we have been trying to do the last 3 years and we are ready to make some noise in 4A. Couldn’t be more proud of the direction our program headed. Our goal is leave it all out on the mat, one match at a time. If we do that, it should be a fun year!”

— Coach DeGraff II

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.