Posts in State of the Program
State of the Program ... East Wilkes (NC)

East Wilkes (NC)

Head Coach: Austin Bare (entering 3rd season)

Staff: Malachi Combs, Zack Faircloth

East Wilkes finished 18th in 1A in 2022 and with a ton of returners this season, expect the Cardinals to climb to a higher finish in 2023. 2022 State Qualifier Kole Lambert has graduated, but the Cards return SQ’s Dylan Rampage and Kaden Royal. Both will be key to the middle part of the Cardinal lineup. Look for Aiden Kraemer and Zac Helms to work into the mix from 138-160 also - making that the strength of the lineup.

Senior Alan Lopez will be counted on to lead a young crew down low … expect freshmen Collin White and Wesley Wiley to step in and make some noise at 126 and 132. Tristan Alkire and Raul Lopez will be counted on to lead the way up top - expect Lopez and Alkire to take care of business at 182, 195 or 220. This is still a young crew made up of mostly juniors and sophomores. They had 2 Qualifiers a year ago … the next step is to put some on the podium and get more to the big dance in 2023 … if that happens East Wilkes could be knocking on the door of the top 10.

Since taking over this team in the 2020 season our number one focus has been building a larger program to compete for the schools first conference title in over 40 years. We are looking for many of our guys to make big jumps this season to help us compete against top level teams. With only one senior in the starting lineup, I would still consider us young but we feel that we have continued to improve each year, and will hopefully have several SQ this season.
— Coach Bare

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.

State of the Program ... American Heritage Plantation (FL)

American Heritage Plantation (FL)

Head Coach: David Wisdom (entering 6th season)

Staff: Matthew Burnett - Co-Head coach, Andrew Wisdom - Assistant coach, Miles Harrison - Assistant coach

Jaeden Kinlock and Stephen Levine have graduated, but AHP might be better this season than they were a year ago. The Patriots return 7 wrestlers that won matches in Region 4 a season ago and welcome in Taravella transfer Victor King (who lost in the bloodround at regions a year ago for Taravella). The Patriots will be particularly tough from 132-182 with the return of Ernest Padron Jr., Alexander Wisdom, Isaac Jacobs, Armando Wisdom, Israel Cuba, Christopher Levine, and the return of Korie Demascola who missed last season with an injury. Padron, Jacobs, as well as both Wisdom’s all make a run at regions last year and each should expect to punch their ticket this year.

Keep an eye on Diego Miranda who won multiple matches at region last year as a 6th grader at 106 … he will certainly be looking to punch his ticket as well. The Patriots have the luxury of having two solid heavyweights in Freddie and Victor King as well. The Patriots only qualified Kinlock a year ago … look for that to change in 2023 - it wouldn’t be a surprise to see 6 or 7 Patriots on the mats in March in Kissimmee.

The 22-23 team is more experienced and ready, we are looking to be the team to beat for the 2A -5 district and 2A-4 regional duals. Many improved individual team members looking to break out of region 2A-4
— Coach Wisdom

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.

State of the Program ... Auburndale (FL)

Auburndale (FL)

Head Coach: Antonio Thomas (entering 3rd season)

Staff: Matt Jones, Grant Smith, George Sabillion

Auburndale continues to climb in a tough 2A … after taking 37th a year ago - they return all of their hammers this season including 2022 State Placer Nate Gabriel. Gabriel was 6th at 285 and should be in the hunt for the top step in 2023. Whether Auburndale climbs into the top 20 in 2A will likely come down to the continued development of the rest of the crew. Blake Selwitschka, Amir Coston, and Adrian Castillo all won matches in a tough regional tournament a year ago and each will look to punch their ticket to Kissimmee this year.

Look for the return of Colby McColley … he, along with Gavin Harris, Antonio Christian, Steven Williams, and Ian Tacus will look to lockdown the middle of the Auburndale lineup. The strength of Auburndale is up top with Castillo, Coston, Raymond Shaw, Antonio Martinez, Israel Thornton, and Gabriel. Keep an eye on Sebastian Lindsey, Jonathan Orr, Levi People, and Joseph Tencredi … each will look to make their mark this year as well.

Looking forward to Great season with the Coaches and athletes we have at Auburndale. we bring back a ton of experience to the room which is going to be helpful Led by Colby McColley 138, Nate Gabriel HWT Returning State Placer, Amir Coston. This offseason the guys stayed in the room working even our dual sport athletes have been putting in the time. Looking for it to all pay off. -GO Hounds!
— Coach Thomas

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.