Bob Jones (AL)

Head Coach: Matt Sweatman (8 at Bob Jones)

Staff: Paul Lynch, Nick Mothersele, Seth Dupree

Bob Jones finished 6th in Alabama 7A, but lose State Runners-up Manny Marrero and Evan Pippin as well as State Qualifiers Tank Mays and Jaden Edwards. The team could make some noise, but will need those that didn’t qualify a season ago to make some noise this season. The Patriots should be very good up top with returning State Placer Tafari Alcime and Maddox Sunderman manning the 220 and 285 lb spots. 2022 State Qualifier Jack Shaver also returns and will be counted on to lead the bottom part of the lineup. Shaver will be joined at the bottom of the lineup by Colton West and Troy Hennigan - both have post-season experience and the trio have the potential to put the Patriots up in any dual.

Keep an eye on Scott Davidson, Will Zerangue, and Ronin Amsler as well. All three wrestled at the sectional tournament a season ago and if they can make some noise in 22-23 then the Patriots have a shot to have 8 or more punch their ticket to the big dance. Newcomers Zander Samargia (transfer from Texas), Dunyea Dorsey (transfer from Dothan) as well as Kaden Clark and Sheldon Sharp should be in the mix for a spot in the lineup and help push Bob Jones into contention in a super deep 7A North Sectional.

“We’re excited to get the year started with a deeper room than we’ve had in the last couple years. Should be very talented at the bottom and the top of our lineup. Our guys have bought into the work it takes to be successful and we hope to continue creating a culture of tough wrestlers that do the right things on and off the mat.”

— Coach Sweatman

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.

Kendrick Girls (GA)

Head Coach: Anthony Mitchell

Staff: Isaiah Sellers, De’Angelo Taylor

Kendrick loses their hammer from a year ago with the graduation of Skyy Hargrove - who is now at Brewton Parker competing at the next level. The Hargrove clan isn’t finished as Hanna Hargrove will step in to lead the way for the Cherokees. Hanna isn’t new to the grind and could have punched her ticket to Macon a year ago, but was sidelined with an injury in the post-season. Coach Mitchell will look to two other Cherokees to make some noise this season as well. Carmen Shelling is a senior and has some experience, but will need to stay healthy if she is going to make a run in 2023. Also keep an eye on newcomer Chelsy Williams who should compete down low (100 lbs.) and as Coach Mitchell says is “very quick and agile”.

“We lost our multi-state placer and now Brewton-Parker wrestler Skyy Hargrove, but her younger sister Hanna Hargrove plans to step in and make a name for her self. She has place in the past few years at the Iron Maiden and Queen of the County but missed out on state competition due to injuries. Hopefully with a new bill of health and increase numbers this year we have a shot at the podium team wise and individually”

— Coach Mitchell

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.

John Carroll Catholic Girls (AL)

Head Coach: Wendy Zito

Girls wrestling has made leaps and bounds over the last few years in Alabama and schools like John Carroll have done the same. The AHSAA recently identified girls wrestling as an emerging sport and it looks as if it is well on its way to being sanctioned in the near future. School like John Carroll are building their rosters and getting girls involved and that will pay huge dividends once the sport is sanctioned. Coach Zito will look to Ava Koch and Kealy Deason to lead the way this season. Both have experience and should set the tone for a bunch of new faces. Keep an eye on Kourtney Bufford who makes the move over from basketball.

“Many new wrestlers will join JC’s girls’ teams that will certify on the girls’ roster. The goal is to fill the roster, and in the preseason, currently, they have seven weight classes filled. Head coach Dr. Wendy Zito is the new head of the Alabama Girls Wrestling Alliance. She has been working on the mats crossing over from coaching dance. Dr. Coach Zito was the first female AHSAA card-carrying coach to sit the chair solo at Girls’ State.”

— Coach Zito

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.