State of the Program - Union Pines (NC)

Coaching Staff:

Brian Gray II. 6 years

  • Bill Soukup

  • Rob Root

  • Elijah Martin

2023 Recap:

  • Finish 3rd at the 3A Traditional State Tournament

Individuals:

  • Brock Sullivan - 2nd at 160

  • Keaton Crawford - SQ at 113

  • Dantrell Williams - SQ at 195

  • Nicholas Mascolino - State Champion at 182

  • Aiden Enright - 6th at 106

Graduated:

  • Colton Collins - 4th at 220

  • Jayden Crawford - 5th at 120

2023-2024

Returners (Grade):

  • 106 Nathan Maness, 12

  • 113-120 Aidan Enright, 12

  • 113-120 James Brooks, 10 

  • 120 Keaton Crawford, 11

  • 126-132 Joe Lloyd, 11

  • 126-132 Elijah Bumgardner, 10 

  • 126-132 Alex Soukup, 10

  • 126-132 Wesley Sykes, 10

  • 132-138 Tristan Payne, 11

  • 132-138 Maddox Jones, 11

  • 132-138 JT Erle, 12

  • 138-144 Logan Mitchell, 12

  • 144-150 Evan Thompson, 10

  • 150-157 Finnius McCafferty, 11

  • 157-165 Houston Leeah, 12 

  • 165-175 Dominic Inocencio, 11

  • 165-175 Matthew Sykes, 11 

  • 175 Brock Sullivan, 11 

  • 175-190 Denton Orr, 12

  • 190 Nicholas Mascolino, 12

  • 215 Dantrell Williams, 11 

  • 215 Sincere Bonner, 12

  • 215 Jaiden Mazyck, 12

  • 285 Carter Herring, 11 

  • 285 Diego Mata, 12          

The excitement surroung the Viking program is palatable. This is a squad that is built for the post-season and with the recent addition of 3A 170 lb. State Runner-up Dominic Blue this team might not lose a match at the top of their lineup. The challenge might be finding a spot for all of the hammers. State Runner-up Brock Sullivan is penciled in at 175 (could he make 165 to make room for Blue?). Last year’s 182 lb. State Champion Nicholas Mascolino is penciled in at 190 with 195 lb. State Qualifier Dantrell Williams slated to fit into the lineup at 215. This team was already the favorites heading into 23-24 - with the addition of Blue they have only solidified that perception. The Vikings aren’t just tough up top they return 106 lb. Satte Placer Aiden Enright and 113 lb. State Qualifier Keaton Crawford as well. The key will be the middle of the lineup where they have Finnius McCafferty, JT Erle, Joe Lloyd, and others. - SEWrestle

Jason FulmoreComment
State of the Program - Lakeside Evans (AL)

Coaching Staff:

Dillon Typhair (3rd year)

  • Eric Proce (4th year at Lakeside)

  • Jim Painter (5th year at Lakeside)

  • Johnny Gil (1st year at Lakeside)

2023 Recap:

  • Finished 34th at the 6A Traditional State Tournament

Individuals:

Graduated:

  • Derek Counsel - 6th at 138

  • Palmer Epps - SQ at 126

2023-2024

Returners (Grade):

  • 106 Jason Dixon - 11

  • 120 Brice Ozden - 10

  • 126 Eleazar Ki - 10

  • 132 JB Epps - 11

  • 190 Andrew Pye - 10               

Tough to lose your hammers in Derek Counsel and Parker Epps to graduation, but that simply means more of an opportunity for those above. This is a very young team with just two, Jason Dixon and Brice Ozden, that have post-season experience. That said, the cupboard isn’t bare … Lakeside Evans has some young hammers - how they progress this season will be fun to watch. Keep an eye on Eleazar Ki (younger brother of Ella Ki and Ezekiel Ki who were state placers previously) as well as freshman Luke Bauer who comes in with a lot of experience despite being a freshman. - SEWrestle

Jason FulmoreComment
State of the Program - Wetumpka (AL)

Coaching Staff:

Josh Highland

  • Jake Baker

  • Jay Nowden

  • Chad Strickland

  • Brent Watson

  • Heather Boling

2023 Recap:

  • Finished 7th at the 6A Traditional State Tournament

  • Finished 4th at the 6A State Duals Tournament

Individuals:

  • Roman Mcwilliams - 5th at 120

  • Christian Preston - State Champion at 220

  • Willie Cox - State Champion at 285

  • Ramon Lozada - 4th at 113

Graduated:

  • Chad Strickland - 2nd at 138

  • Melvin Owens - SQ at 160

2023-2024

Returners (Grade):

  • 113 Eli Walsh

  • 132 Noah Smith

  • 157 Brantley Woodall

  • 175 Kaleb Robinson

  • 190 Zach Crosthwait

  • 215 Christian Preston

  • 285 Willie Cox                  

Losing State Runner-up Chad Strickland to graduation is tough, but losing two other placers due to transfers has got to be tough to swallow for a team that could be in the hunt for a 6A title. Wetumpka still returns State Champions Christian Preston and Willie Cox and with the return of Kaleb Robinson and Zach Crosthwait this team will be tough up top. The focus is on the lower to middle weights and what they will give Wetumpka this season. They do return Noah Smith who missed the post-season due to injury but is back healthy and ready to climb onto the top step in 2024. But if Wetumpka is going to be in the hunt they will need Eli Walsh, Brantely Woodall, Eli Thames as well as some young guns to step up. Keep an eye on freshman TJ Watson and 8th graders Barrett Adams and Kaleb Bonasera in 2024. - SEWrestle

Jason FulmoreComment