Coaching Staff:

Kevin Smith, heading into 10th yr varsity coach

• Brent Ward

• Robert Reynolds

• Eric Frazier

• Ty Roach

• Corey Dixon

• Mike Schulz

2023 Recap:

• Finished 20th at the 3A Traditional State Tournament

Individuals:

• Dylan Shirley - 4th at 132

• Kenley Riley - 3x Placer

Graduated:

• Joshua Knipe - 5th at 195

• Skyler Oxford - SQ at 126

---

2023-2024

Returners (Grade):

• 113 Bryce May, 10

• 120 Conner Craig, 11

• 132 Joshua Figueredo, 11

• 138 Dylan Shirley, 11

• 144 John Schulz, 11

• 150 Kaz Prapuolenis, 10

• 157 Braden Reynolds, 11

• 175 Luke Jones, 11

• 190 Ashton McRoberts, 12

Solid team from top to bottom despite returning just one state qualifier … State Placer Dylan Shirley. The Patriots have a solid group with a ton of experience … Conner Craig, Braden Reynolds,, Josh Figueredo, and John Schulz all won matches at last year’s East Region Tournament and all four will be looking to punch his ticket this season. The expectations in the WC room has to be putting at least five through to the big dance and with Craig through Reynolds this team is going to be solid from 120-157. The big questions might be who steps up down low and up top for the Patriots. Keep an eye on Zach Murray and Bryce May down low as the pair of sophomores will be called on to start WC off. They key for WC climbing is Luke Jones and Ashton McRoberts up top … both have post-season experience and each will play an important role this season. Keep an eye on Kaz Prapoulenis, Richard Jiang, Matthew Byrd, Dysen Terrell, and Jeremiyah Dixon … the middle of the Patriot lineup will be solid. How far they go will come down to how well the bottom and top of the lineup wrestle. On the girls side … Kenley Riley is a 3x State Placer and she has to be one of the favorites to claim a title in 2024. - SEWrestle

Coaching Staff:

Michael Maccay (8 years as HC, 4 as AC prior to)

• Billy Waycaster

2023 Recap:

• Finished 42nd at the 2A Traditional State Tournament

Individuals:

• Leviathan Haynes - SQ at 170

Graduated:

• Donte Pope - SQ at 145

---

2023-2024

Returners (Grade):

• 106,113 Sahmaj Chatman

• 126 Andres Couto

• 132-138 Keyshawn Smalley

• 138-144 Isaac Moore

• 144-150 Jay`Shawn Peace

• 150 Michael Mays

• 157 Dawson Belfiore

• 157-165  Qa`Darion Hudson

• 165 Leviathan Haynes

• 165-175 Chris Dreher

• 190 Tyrese Dalton

• 215 Kevin Bermejo

• 285 Demetrius Allen

There is a lot to like about this year’s Yellowjacket squad. Coach Maccay returns sophomore State Qualifier Levithan Haynes. Haynes punched his ticket a year ago and will look to climb onto the podium in 2024. Most importantly though … this squad returns a ton of wrestlers with post-season experience. Keyshawn Smalley, Isaac Moore, Dawson Belfiore, Chris Dreher, and Demetrius Allen all won matches at last year’s Midwest region tournament and each will look to punch his ticket to the big dance in 2024. The Jackets also welcome the return of seniors Andres Couto and Michael Mays …which will be huge. Keep an eye on Sahmaj Chatman down low, Jay’Shawn Peace and Qa’Darion Hudson in the middle of the lineup and Tyrese Dalton and Kevin Bermejo up top. The expectations for this year’s squad have to be very high. - SEWrestle

Coaching Staff:

Brian Brasseal - 20 yrs.

• Michael Collins

• Ashton Quattlebaum

• Gary Ewrin

• Rodger Cordell

• Russ Boackle

• Mac Boackle

• Scott Smith

2023 Recap:

• Lost to Mortimer Jordan in the 2nd Round of the State Duals Tournament

• Finished 2nd at the 6A Traditional State Tournament

Individuals:

• Crue Powe - 3rd at 106

• Martin Thomas - SQ at 220

• Demarcus Powe - 2nd at 120

• Gage Beyke - 2nd at 285

• Jackson Stanford - 6th at 182

• Broc Righter - SQ at 160

• Daishun Powe - State Champion at 152

Graduated:

• Isaiah Powe - State Champion at 145

• Charles Donaldson - 6th at 195

---

2023-2024

Returners (Grade):

• 106 Corue Powe

• 106 J.T. Boone

• 113 Triston Buckelew

• 120 Jacob Towery

• 126 Michael Collins

• 126 Aaron Head

• 132 Jayden Jordan

• 138 Damarcus Powe

• 138 Camree Gooden

• 138 Eric Peek

• 144 Braden Pickle

• 144 Parker Howell

• 150 Josh McQuairter

• 157 Paul Brasseal

• 165 Connor Howell

• 165 Daishaun Powe

• 175 Dominc Soriano

• 175 Cody Wood

• 190 Broc Righter

• 190 Jackson Stanford

• 190 Logan Cossy

• 215 Sean Thomas

• 285 Gage Beyke

• 285 Michael Shelly

Coach Brasseal has built an outstanding program at Gardendale over the years and 23-24 will be no different. The rockets will be in the hunt for both the traditional and state duals title in 6A. Gardendale is a perfect example of an exceptional traditional team and a very good dual team … exceptional on the traditional side because they have some absolute hammers throughout their lineup led by returning State Champ Daishun Powe. The Rockets also return State Runners-up Demarcus Powe and Gage Beyke, State Placers Corue Powe and Jackson Stanford, and State Qualifier Broc Righter. All of that firepower gets you a ton of points at the traditional state tournament, but doesn’t guarantee a run to a dual title. In fact this is where the rubber meets the road … Gardendale has about 5 wins in a dual against anyone, but duals are a race to 7 (or 8). That means for Gardendale to push for the title in either duals or traditional they need some others to step up. Triston Buckelew and Parker Howell each have post-season experience and could play an important role in a Gardendale run. Keep an eye on Paul Brasseal, Braden Pickle, and Sean Thomas as well. Gardendale is a deep squad and opportunities exist for several wrestlers to step up and make a difference this season. - SEWrestle