Mater Lakes Girls (FL)

Head Coach: Brandon Neifeld (entering 11th season)

Staff: JD Ramsey, Alex Noa, Ethan Vergara

The Bears finished in the top 10 in the first sanctioned Girls State Tournament and given the hammers that are slated to return - expect them to climb higher in 2023. Sofia Ferran finished 2nd at 110 and returns as do State Placer Janice Quiroga and State Qualifier Arianna Ruiz. Ruiz qualified as a 6th grader last year … it will be interesting to see how this team continues to develop over the course of the season. The coaches are very high on newcomer Aly Rik who is monster in BJJ and could make the transition to being a monster on the mat in a very short time. How high the Bears climb this season may come down to how well Angie Vaquez, Jasmine Blanco and Nathalie Giner fit into the lineup.

“We hope to take our entire squad to the state tournament and put a few girls on the podium come March.”

— Coach Neifeld

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.

Doral Academy Girls (FL)

Head Coach: Will DeArmas

Staff: Alexis DeArmas

Doral qualified two girls a year ago for the first ever sanctioned Girls State Tournament and will look to make it three in 2023. Alejandra Notni made the podium - taking 8th at 130 and will be looking to climb higher in her final season at Doral. Beatriz Millian was a qualifier at 190 and also returns for her final season. Coach DeArmas welcomes 6th grader Rebecca Marin this season as well. Doral is slowly putting together a solid women’s program … don’t be surprised to see three of them in Kissimmee in March.

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.

Russell County (AL)

Head Coach: Eric Chamberlain (Year 5)

Staff: Terry Long, Frank Saunders, Chris Moore

Russell County makes the move to 6A in the re-designed Alabama classification in 2022-23. The team finished 38th in a combined 5A-6A last year, but with the split to separate classes and the return of both Avery Boyette and Owen Elledge - the Warriors are looking to push into a top 15 finish in 2023. Coach Chamberlain not only returns 2022 State Qualifiers Boyette and Elledge, but also returns a ton of others with post-season experience.

Jaivan Bracey, Julian Anthony, Dan Bulens, Michael Williams, and Devin Neal all return and each will look to take that next step and punch their ticket to Huntsville this season. Keep an eye on Bracey’s young brother Ah’Mir Bracey who could fit into the Warrior lineup and make some noise down at 106. Another name to watch is Senior Keshaun Paulk who could make an impact at 195 for the Warriors as well. With the return of Boyette and Elledge - Russell County will be better in 2022-23, but how high they climb as a team likely come down to how well the rest of the lineup comes together around them.

“We are looking at having the best dual team our school has had since 2005 with a complete lineup and experienced wrestlers at every weight class. 11 weight classes have a wrestler that has competed at least 3 years or more. Avery Boyette and Owen Elledge are both competitive to earn a State Title at their respective weight classes.”

— Coach Chamberlain

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.