Athens (AL)

Head Coach: Andrew Campbell (entering 17th year)

Staff: Chris Mitchell, Lee Schwann, Taylor Dill

Athens finished 16th in a combined 5A-6A a year ago … and with the split of the two classifications - Athens should be in the hunt for a top 10 finish in 6A in 2023. The Golden Eagles lose 2022 State Placer Andrew Maxwell and State Qualifier Omari Clay, but return a solid group that features State Champion Will Anderson and State Qualifier Jaxon Unger. Anderson and Unger are both still very young, but provide a really good 1-2 punch for the Golden Eagles at 120 and 126. Anderson and Unger should lead the way, but Athens is far from a two-man team. Look for Gunner Birdsong to push his way onto the podium as well in 2023.

If the Golden Eagles are going to climb into the top 10 they will look to Isaiah Unger, Zack Mitchell, Spencer Dowland, Drake Craig, Seth Henry, and Ethan Graham to make some noise. Unger and company will be the difference between Athens challenging the big dogs in 6A or not. Two others that will look to break into the lineup and make a run are Kentucky transfer Dylan Miller and upcoming 8th grader Austin Campbell. Lakin Poff and Cam Fletcher will look to join Craig, Unger, and Anderson is locking down the bottom part of the Golden Eagle lineup. Jake Navarro will look to step in at 220. The strength of the Golden Eagles is down low … especially from 120-145/152 - how well they do in the end might come down to how well they wrestle up top.

“We are very excited about this upcoming season. We still have some young guys, but with that we have more years total experience on this team than we have had in the past 4 yrs. We are returning 5 state qualifiers and 2 state placers.”

— Coach Campbell

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.

Huntsville (AL)

Head Coach: Patrick Harris (entering 8th year at Huntsville; 18th overall)

Staff: Jared Bronaugh, Fred Kemp, Tyler Fanning, Kwesi Jackson, Michael Webb, Brent Carr, Gabe Schroeder, DeAngelo Johnson

Outstanding program that is always in the thick of things in February. Last year they were 4th … but battled with Thompson, Vestavia, and Hewitt-Trussville to the end. I’m not certain if the Panthers can overcome Thompson and Vestavia, but if they are … this is the crew to make that happen. The Panthers return all 5 State Placers including 113 lb. State Champion Yanik Simon. Todd Whitmire was 2nd at 195, Kiyan Simon and Jake Ciccolella were both 3rd, and John McKinney was 4th. All 5 have the ability to claim a title in 2023. For the Panthers to knock off Thompson they will need all 5 of them back on the podium in 2023, but the difference will likely come down to others (in Alabama 7A - you need points from all 14 of your hammers).

Joseph Sowell and Brock Fields both qualified a year ago and both will be hunting a spot on the podium as well. Seven placers really gives the Panthers a shot at the title … getting points from any of the following could prove the difference. Wallace Blue sat behind Kiyan Simon last year and if he can find a way into the lineup at 106 or 113 - he has the ability to make the podium as well. Jay Colebaugh, Kai Valenzuela, and Dalton Wood could make some noise in the middle of the lineup (from 152-182) … getting points from any or all 3 would be huge. Keep an eye on Griffin McKinney and Bradley Wilbourn up top as well as Jack carter, Noah Gross, Micah Johnson, Troy McDaniels, Aaron Phillips, and Cordell Lee as they look to find their way into a stacked lineup. The Panthers have all of the pieces in place to claim the 7A title this season … look for them to be in the mix on Saturday afternoon at the Von Braun Center.

“We return 12 of 14 Section tournament starters from 2022 including 5 State Placers and 2 additional 7A State Qualifiers. We remain young with only four Seniors on the roster, but driven by strong Junior and Sophomore classes. Last year we experienced multiple injuries which took (2) Seniors out of the lineup and a Junior unable to compete until Section. This allowed many others to contribute and grow. Now these guys all will contribute at the Varsity level and will challenge for starting spots. We are very proud of the grass roots growth finishing with 100 on active roster at season end and expect more for 2022-23 season. Our guys have very high expectations for themselves this season both individually and as a team. Over the past seven years we have transformed the culture into a non elitist hard work culture of accountability. Many of this group we have trained since 7/8th grade so it makes for a very special group to us. While there is a long way to go we are very proud of how far we have come we expect to push for individual and state titles this year. Exciting times at the HSV.”

— Coach Harris

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.

Vancleave Girls (MS)

Head Coach: David Sutherland (entering 2nd season)

Staff: Steve Bryant, James Jacobs Sr

The boys made huge gains a year ago in Mississippi - don’t be surprised if the girls aren’t far behind. Vancleave features just one - Angelika Holliman - at the moment, but the momentum in Mississippi and girls wrestling is building. Don’t be surprised if we look back five years from now on what Vancleave and the other programs throughout Mississippi have done to move the sport forward.

“We are early in the process of having a complete girls wrestling team and these young women are ready to work and develop the skills needed to be successful. I am eager to see where these young women can go with wrestling this season”

— Coach Sutherland

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.