Northwest (TN)

Head Coach: Chris Bedell (entering 5th year)

Staff: Cassie Maples, Roseanna Vaughn

The Northwest Girls finished 8th at the traditional state tournament a year ago, but look to rebuild after graduating most of their hammers. State Champ Roseanna Vaughn, State Runner-up Brette Spink, and State Qualifier Christina Newsom have all graduated leaving State Placer Shayanne Michalski to lead the way in 22-23. Michalski could be back at 100 lbs. and will be in the hunt for the top step after taking 5th last year.

The team will look to Katie Ann Wallace, Megan Darnell, Shantal Goburn, and Arabella Green to make some noise and help soften the impact of those that graduated this past year. The numbers for Northwest are there with the five above as well as Cavoni Pamblanco, Karli Bryant, Julianit Garcia, and Adriana Trana, but none have made their mark yet. How high the Vikings climb will likely come down to how they continue to develop. Keep an eye on Miya Chambers up top … she could be one to make some noise as well.

“We are in a rebuilding year but have had a lot of newcomers join the team. We are athletic and hungry with strong work ethic.”

— Coach Bedell

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.

Harlem (GA)

Head Coach: Kevin Waters (8th year at Harlem; 20 years total)

Staff: Gary Perez, Joel Gross, Corey Rector, Jean Jordan

Harlem finished 13th in 3A in 2022 … they lose their top two hammers with the graduation of Donovan Miller and Luke Rhodes (both State Placers), but return a ton of others that will look to make some noise in 2023. Harlem returns nearly their entire lineup from a year ago except for Miller and Rhodes who both made the podium. Mason Linkous and Orlando Santiago both claimed Area 4 titles last season and will be looked upon to lead the way this year. Dylan Hiller, Chance Diles, and David Stanton also return for their season seasons and that should make the middle of the Harlem lineup very tough.

Keep an eye on Braxton ross, Ryan Rector, Tahki Hale, and James Frazier down low and Cainan Thomas, Braden Wall, Marcus Wheeler, Chase Bisel, Conner McCuistian, and DaOne West up top. If Harlem is going to break into the top 10 they must have Linkous, Santiago, Hiller, Diles, and Stanton lead the way and make some noise. Harlem also boasts a quartet of freshmen that could make an impact as well. Watch for Max Maya, Josiah Steadman, and Landon Moore down low and Andrew Collins in the middle of the Harlem lineup this season.

“We have a great mix of every grade that should round out our lineup. We had a very tough, but exciting off season and the wrestlers have bought into the program and what we are trying to accomplish this season. We will be led by Dylan Hiller (12th) 165, Chance Diles (12th) 138, David Stanton (12th) 144, Orlando Santiago (12th) 156, Mason Linkous (12th) 150. They have all been in the program for at least 3 years and expect them to be great leaders on and off the mat for our team. We lost our state placers from last year, Donovan Miller (4th 126) and Luke Rhodes (5th 195), but we return 12 wrestlers from sectionals. We will be competing all over the state this year and looking to crack the top 10 in 3A.”

— Coach Waters

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.

Hewitt-Trussville (AL)

Head Coach: Chris Pike (entering 3rd year at Hewitt-Trussville; 20 years overall)

Staff: Brad Hettich, Scott Robertson, Jared Box, Scott Hastings, Matt Ryan, Doug Benton, Roy Mitros

The Huskies ran with Thompson and Vestavia a year ago, but came up just short and finished 3rd in a very tough 7A. This is a program that has demonstrated the ability to compete with anyone … but in 2022-23 they will need to do it with a much younger group. The Huskies put 7 on the podium in 2022, but lose 4 including State Champ Lucas Reaves, State Runner-up Logan Reaves, and Placers Dalton Zimmerman and Andrew Shelton. They also lose a quartet of seniors in Alton Lucas, Thomas Shaffer, Luke Golden, and Colby Little that were key parts of the Huskies lineup.

The cupboard is far from bare with the return of State Champ Hunter Jones, State Placers Clark Box and Chris Hawkins as well as State Qualifiers Bradley Hastings, Delvecchio Alston, and Cameron Cantwell. In some states and, perhaps other classifications in Alabama, 3 placers and 3 qualifiers would put you in the hunt … but that’s not necessarily the case in Alabama 7A - where every weight counts a great deal. It doesn’t mean the Huskies won’t be in the thick of the race, but for them to challenge for the title they will need some new faces to step up. Keep an eye on Alec Nelson, Riley Hulwi, and Jack Bessee to make some noise at the bottom of the Husky lineup and for Jacob Triplett, John Paul Davidson, Tucker Rudick, and Will Rivers to do so throughout the middle. The strength of this lineup is down low with Box and Hastings (106-120) and then up top with Alston, Cantwell, Jones, and Hawkins (152-220). Keep an eye on Zach Chatman to fill in at 220 or 285 (wherever we don’t see Hawkins).

“We lost 8 starters and 12 seniors from last years team. We obviously have some very good wrestlers to replace. This years team will be significantly younger but they have worked very hard and we will maintain high expectations for them to replace them and maintain the standard the previous seniors set for the program.”

— Coach Pike

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.