If you are a recent follower of wrestling in Georgia you might associate 1A with Commerce and for good reason. Commerce holds the 2nd most 1A titles and won 7 in a row from 2014 to 2020. But the program with the most 1A titles is current 5A power Jefferson. Jefferson has won 12 traditional 1A state titles including 8 in a row from 2001 to 2008. Bremen, Armuchee, Trion, Lovett, Rockmart and North Springs are also programs that have won multiple traditional titles in the smallest classification. 1A is one of the classifications that has the greatest percentage of schools that have not crowned an individual champion - likely because the top programs have a tendency to dominate. Take 2023 as an example - Mt Pisgah Christian had 5 individual champions and Social Circle had 3. So more than half of the champions came from just two programs. Below are the most recent state champions of the current 1A programs (keep in mind that the individuals were not necessarily individual 1A State Champions … this is a look at the current 1A programs and their last champion).

Let’s take a closer look at just a few of these names (no time to delve into all of them):

Metter High School has only crowned two individual champs in their history and both occurred in the same season. The most interesting thing is that Rex Martin claimed the 103 lb. title in 2021 and his teammate, William Wright, won the 275 lb. title. The 2001 year for Metter team was easily the best in the program’s history taking 6th - the only time they have cracked the top 10). Joining Martin and Wright on the podium were Jeremiah Wellman and Chris Wiggins. Metter has had 4 placers since that 2001 season, but none that have made the finals.

Mark Mongell probably isn’t concerned, but his place on this graphic is in serious jeopardy with Jace and Cade Parent looking to climb to the top step this weekend. Mongell won a state title for St Francis in 2011 at 215 lbs. He is just the second Knight to claim a title - Richie Boland won it twice in 2002 and 2003. Etahn sparks was a 3x placer for St Francis in 2014-2016, but no one has been able to knock Mongell off since 2011. Will 2024 be the year that the graphic gets updated for St Francis?

Irwin County has a long history of success in 1A. They won a traditional team title in 1997, have finished 2nd twice, and have been in the top 10 countless times. They’ve also had their fair share of State Placers (47 different individuals) and State Champions (16). DJ Lundy, Horace Young, and Ira Strickland have won 3 titles each. But your current holder of the spot is 2022 State Champion Jordan Dunlap. Dunlap was 4th in 2021 before claiming the 120 lb. title in 2022. Irwin County always has individuals ready to make a run for a title … who is the next Indian ready to take over the top spot?

Girls

Historical Facts:

• Cleveland and Rossview are the only two teams to claim a girls state duals title (this is just the 3rd year of the event).

• Clarksville has qualified both years and were state runners-up in 2022 to Rossview

• Cleveland has also qualified both years and claimed a title last year

• Both Northwest and Bradley Central are making their debut in the event in 2024

What to know in 2A:

• Favorite: Cleveland

Summary: Cleveland are the defending state champs and are our #1 team in the Southeast. They’ve traveled far and wide to get the best competition and it shows. This team is solid from top to bottom. Northwest, Bradley Central, and Clarksville all have solid programs and each will look to knock off Cleveland, but they will a few things to go their way in order to make that happen,

Historical Matchups (of the 1st round teams):

• This is the first time these programs have met one another at the state duals. They compete against one another during the season, but at the state duals - Cleveland and Northwest have never wrestled and neither have Bradley Central and Clakrksville.

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2A

Historical Facts:

• Cleveland has won 12 Dual titles in 20 appearances. They are 61-7 lifetime at the State Duals

• Bradley Central holds the top spot for # of Dual titles with 14 (last winning it in 2017). They are 77-11 in 26 appearances at the dual state tournament and have finished 2nd each of the last two years.

• Knoxville Halls were the Class A Dual State Champions last year and have made the state duals tournament 12 times.

• The last time a team other than Cleveland or Bradley Central won the 2A title was 2012 when Soddy Daisy beat Cleveland 29-22

• 2024 is Summit’s 4th consecutive appearance at the state duals tournament (6th overall); this is Dobyns Bennett’s 5th conseuctive appearance at the state duals (11th overall)

• Brentwood is the only other program to make the finals - having done it twice in the 1990’s (1991 and 1998). 2024 marks their 10th appearance at the state duals.

• First trip back to the state duals:

  • Arlington’s first trip back since 2020. This is their 8th appearance.

  • Bartlett’s first appearance since 2016. They have yet to win a dual at the dual state tournament in their history.

What to know in 2A:

• Favorite: Cleveland

• Contenders:

  • Summit

  • Brentwood

  • Dobyns Bennett

• Darkhorse: Knoxville Halls

Summary: Cleveland has won 6 in a row (2018-2023) and (I believe) this group of Seniors has never lost a dual match. The last time Cleveland lost at the State Duals it was 2017 (35-24 to rival Bradley Central). Summit gave them the best dual this season at the Cleveland Duals in December and although they aren’t likely to knock off Cleveland - they could give them the best dual of the weekend. Cleveland probably has the toughest road with Summit first, a good Brentwood squad that is 21-3 this season (although they will have to beat Arlington first) and then perhaps Dobyns Bennett or Knox Halls in the finals.

Dobyns Bennett beat Knoxville Halls 45-35 earlier this year and that could be your bottom semifinal … although don’t sleep on Bradley Central (they are not the Bradley Central of old, but still have hammers throughout their lineup).

Historical Matchups (of the 1st round teams):

• This is just the 2nd time Bartlett and Knoxville Halls have met at the state duals tournament. Knoxville Halls taking the only other meeting 44-23 back in 2014.

• Dobyns Bennett vs. Bradley Central have met twice previous to Saturday. Bradley Central taking both wins (35-34 in 2020 and 50-21 in 2009).

• Arlington and Brentwood have only met once before and it was a close one … Brentwood taking a 34-33 win in 2018.

• This will be the 5th meeting between Cleveland and Summit at the state duals tournament. Cleveland is 4-0, but the duals most recently have been close. Cleveland downed Summit last year 33-28, beat them 41-37 in 2021, and then in 2015 and 2017.

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1A

Historical Facts:

• Soddy Daisy has claimed a dual state title 4 times and 2024 marks their 20th appearance at the big dance (they are 57-19 in their previous 19 appearances). Their last title came in 2012.

• Signal Mountain has won 1 dual state title (2022). They were runners-up in 2023 and 2018 and 2024 will be their 7th appearance at the state duals.

• Pigeon Forge has the most state duals titles of anyone in the bracket with 5. Their last title came in 2020 (and they won back to back titles in 2019 and 2020). They are 27-8 at the state duals tournament and 2024 marks their 13th appearance.

• This is Tullahoma’s 9th appearance at the state duals and their 3rd ina row.

• First trip back to the state duals:

  • Munford missed last season, but qualified 2 years ago in 2022. They have competed at the state duals 3 times prior to this weekend.

  • Anderson County marks their 2nd trip to the state duals - their only other appearance was in 2018.

  • 2024 marks Millington Central’s 3rd trip to the state duals, but the first in 30 years (their last trip was in 1994).

  • Station Camp is making their first trip to the state duals.

What to know in 1A:

• Favorite: Soddy Daisy

• Contenders:

  • Signal Mountain

  • Pigeon Forge

  • Anderson County

• Darkhorse: Tullahoma

Summary: Soddy Daisy has been outstanding this season and enters as the favorites. They are a perfect 33-0 on the season with wins over Signal Mountain (55-19), Station Camp (64-0), plus wins over 2A teams and quality out of state programs. It is difficult to imagine anyone knocking them off on the top side of the bracket. The bottom side should be interesting … Signal Mountain has been to the finals in both 2022 and 2023 (winning it all in 2022). Pigeon Forge is a perennial contender and cannot be dismissed and Tullahoma has been here a bunch but has never made the finals.

In case you are wondering … Tullahoma and Signal Mountain have not crossed paths this year and neither team has wrestled Pigeon Forge. The team to watch is Station Camp and that opening dual vs. Anderson County could be a good one.

Historical Matchups (of the 1st round teams):

• Not much history in terms of matchups. None of the teams below have ever faced one another at the duals state tournament (that changes with some potential quarterfinal matchups, but this section is on the matchups we know we will have Saturday morning).

  • Soddy vs. Munford

  • Anderson Co vs. Station Camp

  • Pigeon Forge vs. Millington

• Signal Mountain downed Tullahoma 37-21 at last year’s state duals tournament

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Historical Facts:

• BGA - 3rd consecutive appearance at the state duals - but they have yet to win a dual on the big stage

• Boyd Buchanan are your defending champs … claiming the title in their only trip. Beat Lakeway Christian 33-28 in the 2023 finals.

• Easily the most experience program in the bracket, Brentwood Academy has 25 appearances and 3 titles (all won in the 1990’s). This is Brentwood Academy’s first trip back to the duals since 2020.

• Lakeway Christian has been here twice before (taking 1st in 2022 and 2nd in 2023).

What to know in D2 A-AA:

• Favorite: Boyd Buchanan

Summary: I think this is going to be close … here are a few reasons why each team could make a run (and a reason why they might not):

• Boyd Buchanan - lost close duals to McCallie, Soddy Daisy, and Collierville (less competitive vs. Montgomery Bell Academy, Summit, and a few others). Joe Williams, Carter Rowlett, Jerry Payne, and Austin Johnson make a solid middleweight group … biggest concern is that they have no one above Kaiden Bates and Xander Hatcher at 175.

• Battle Ground - Close losses to Brentwood Academy and Father Ryan shows they can compete … the question is whether they can get enough points from 150-285. Their lightweights will be key for BGA.

• Brentwood Academy - Beat Battle Ground Academy 40-36 and have battled some of the top teams in TN this season. They are deepest team in the bracket and that is a huge reason why they might take it all. Hammers throughout the lineup including Cash Waymire and Bo Domingues down low and Taylor Wimsatt and Brody Belville up top.

• Lakeway Christian - Battled MBA tough and shows they can compete with any of the D2 schools. They have nowhere the depth that Brentwood Academy has, but they have hammers throughout including Luke Kibelbek, Cole Gumlick, Spencer Reep, Brody Casto, and Jay Eversole. The Lions should get 5 falls in nearly every dual … but it is a race to 8 - who else gets them the points they need?

Historical Matchups (of the 1st round teams):

• This is the first meeting between Lakeway and Brentwood Academy

• Boyd Buchanan downed Battle Ground Academy 53-15 at last year’s duals.

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Yes. Absolutely. I put this bracket last on purpose. If there is a bracket and a set of teams to watch on Saturday - this is it. Division II AAA will feature 4 outstanding duals with 4 of the historically best programs in Tennessee. If you are in the building on Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening … do not miss D2 AAA.

Historical Facts:

• 2024 is Baylor’s 30th appearance in the state duals. They have won 13 titles and have a 67-18 record. The Red Raiders have been in the finals for 6 consecutive years (claiming 4 titles in that span).

• 2024 marks Christian Brothers’s 29th appearance in the state duals. They have won 3 titles - the last one coming in 2018.

• This weekend will be Father Ryan’s 33rd appearance in the state duals. They have competed in every state dual for 29 consecutive years. They have 10 state titles and are an impressive 60-32.

• McCallie is making their 28th appearance in the state duals. They have won 6 titles, but none since 2006. Is this the year that drought ends?

What to know in D2 A-AA:

• Favorite: Father Ryan

Summary: Yep. Could be wrong. In reality it could be Baylor who Father Ryan gets in the opening round. Baylor beat them 37-24 3 weeks ago so if past duals are an indication then the overall pick should be McCallie (who beat Baylor 39-32 just 6 days ago). But I’m taking Father Ryan to defend their title. Now one could make all different arguments about why Baylor will win, or McCallie, or Christian Brothers and each argument has validity. So does the argument in favor of Father Ryan …

Father Ryan lost to Cleveland 35-32 the day before Father Ryan wrestled both Baylor and McCallie. They stepped up for the best 3 duals they could find and did so missing both Tanner Tran and Sawyer Rutherford. Baylor won 8 matches to Father Ryan’s 6. Are Tran and Rutherford enough to makeup the difference - I don’t know. But it could be a very different dual with both in the lineup.

In reality there are a number of toss-up matches in each dual that will play an important role. Starting weight and the coin flip could end up huge for teams like Father Ryan and McCallie - I think less for Baylor who will likely go out with their lineup and say beat us if you can. Bonus wins or losses duals and that will be true again this weekend.

I will say … you better get McCallie now because they are going to be tough to beat for years to come.

Historical Matchups (of the 1st round teams): To say that these programs are familiar with one another would be a huge understatement.

• Father Ryan and Baylor have met 24 times at the dual state tournament - Baylor currently holds the edge 14-10, but Father Ryan holds the last win (a 33-28 win in last year’s state finals). These two programs have faced one another every year at the state duals since 2014 except for 2020. The duals are almost always close and don’t be surprised if it is again. Keep in mind that Baylor beat Father Ryan 37-24 about 3 weeks ago.

• McCallie and Christian Brothers have met 16 times and the series is tied 8-8. This dual is always super close in fact the last 5 meetings have been decided by 19 total points with two of the duals coming down to 1 point and all hanging in the balance until the end. McCallie has won 4 of the last 8 meetings … and you guessed it Christian Brothers have won 4. I don’t believe the two have crossed paths this season though.

By Ron Forquer

NCHSCAA Regionals will be held in 4 separate High Schools throughout NC .

• Havelock HS ,

• Al Brown HS in Kannapolis,

• Jake Britt in Fayetteville

• N Henderson in Hendersonville

I’ve split this East / West preview into two regions.
Top 4 ladies in 4 Regions advance to the State tournament best of 16 .
I would say teams to watch out west would be North, Swain, and Olympic. Swain got all 12 weight classes in. North 11, and Olympic and Smoky Mt got in 10. 36 athletes return from state last year, including 2 4ths, 1 Runner up, and 2 Champions. Swain took 2nd place in the unofficial state duals tonight, so they are the hot hand right now.

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Here is the Western competition and top seed predictions!
Individual wrestlers

• Morgan Repasky, Gracie Short, and Yhaleen Khang at 100

• Liliana Zapote and Ria Wright (Champ) at 107

• 114 may be a crazy weight with Asiah Ball (swain), Treyleigh Miller Pisgah), and Betty Huntley all as qualifiers

• 120 is probably Sydney Mark's (Asheville)to lose, 126 will be fun with Gretchen Toney (RS Central), Emma Burnes (smoky) and Marissa Cole from Rosman... all quality Emma and Marissa SQer,

• 132 is tough with Lili Denton (haysville), Malie Turner from Brevard (a killer), Emily Nylekoyah (olympic), and Tasia Nedeau (swain). I feel like Malie has the inside line, but well see how it goes.

• 138 is probably Lylah Cogdill's to lose, though Kayla Brown from Brevard will challenge.

• 145 is probably Kaylah Evans (Bandys) unless injury gets in her way.

• 152 is returning state champ Caleigh Suddreth (lake norman), but she only has 4 matches on the season due to injury, so who knows what happens there.

• 165 will be a battle between Jayden Holmes (Olympic) and Paloma Ramirez (Pisgah), but I Jayden is superior by a solid amount.

• 185 is returning runner up Franchesca Morales (north hendo) and the only girl who beat her this year Gabby Roman Bruno (smoky). France won 2 of 3, but has been out with injury, so we'll see what happens, and

• 235 is Ariana Flores (north Henderson) and Kimberly Talton (Madison). Ariana is 33-1 (losses only to France and a 3 timer from TN), Talton's only loss is to Allison Sanders (North Iredell) who is the 3 seed.

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For the Eastern Regional preview there has been some dominant ladies teams
Hoke won the WRAL Ladies tournament edging out Havelock and Laney won the Jolly Roger’s Ladies East Region competition. The TEAM regional champion race could be between Havelock (11) and Laney (12), with Cleveland (11) and Swansboro (10) Hoke in the mix. Depending on matchups, points could be very close going into blood and placement matches.
INDIVIDUAL competition will have some very interesting match-ups due to some weight class moves late in the season and potentially a couple of State Finals previews.

• 100 it’ll come down to undefeated Lily Prendergast (South Brunswick) and Anna Ockerman (Corinth-Holders) which is always a great match to watch and potential State Final match up, with Zainab Hijawi (South Central) , Azya Monroe (Hoke)and Kisinda Johnson rounding out the top 5.

• 107, Katie Simmons (Laney) has been tough all year and should clash with Thalia Aguirre-Gomez (Manteo) in the final. Adriana Miller (Southwest Onslow) should be in the mix as well plus Isabella Crandall ( Athens drive) and Khiry Reese of (Rosewood).

• 114 is a little wide open with no prior state qualifiers from last year. Teresa Canady (Lumberton), Addison Gore (Garner ) Kaitlynn Frank (Lejeune) and Khaing Htway (New Bern) may be the front runners here with Sara Warren ( Hoke) and Peyton Heitman (Dixon) in the mix as well.

• At 120 we should see another match between Addison Vindigni (Cleveland) and Ahriana Scales (Pasquotank) which could also be a potential State Final preview and seeing Angela Fabrizian ( Willow Springs ) Alexis Mazura (Rosewood) Kylie Brigman (Lumberton) and Jianna Gomez (Hoke) round out the top 6.

• 126 undefeated Kamilah Brooks (Pasquotank) is at the top here with Alfa Dominguez G (Cary), only loss this season was to Brooks , Sommer (West Carteret) Olivia Ready (Havelock) and DeAnna Fox ( Green Hope ) round it out .

• 132 should see a match up in the final between Kennedie Snow (Havelock) and Lauren Hall (Heide-Trask), but Bella Murillo (Fike) but Jiselle Riley (Panther Creek )and Celia Ross ( Dixon)could make a run as well.

• 138 Brooke Zak (Currituck) has looked solid since her return from injury last year but could be challenged by Laura Gonzalez (Millbrook) coming down. Isabella Campbell (Havelock), Giovanna Disbennett (Dixon), Samaiya Aamound (Jack Britt) and Bridgette Westbrook (Swansboro) will challenge for top 4 spots .

• 145 Returning State Champion Natalie Titus (Havelock) should battle with Faith Bane (New Bern) in the finals, but Ay-Seante Ross (Laney) might change that. Maggie Milberry ( Swansboro) was 2nd WRAL and Lara Gonzalez will be in the hunt .

• 152 Keira Rosenmarkle (Seaforth) is undefeated and with wins over Bane and Ross clearly top ranked. Sophia Sutton (Swansboro) has been solid all year also. The remaining places could go many ways but I’m leaning toward Kenley Riley (West Carteret) ,Taliana Barrera (Dixon) or Dayna Bland (Wakefield)to pick up 2 of them.

• 165 returning State Champion Elaina Pollock (Laney) should be the front runner here . Noelia Hipolito (Hoke)followed by Reilynn Swift (Swansboro), Stephanie Diaz- Mendoza(Riverside) and Ebony Mejia-Aguilar ( Millbrook) .

• 185 Winston Yarborough (Cleveland) defeated Amy Gilliams (South Central) who’s been dominant all year with Allyson Williams (Rosewood),Kyndal Harris (Havelock) , Cara Brake ( NNA) securing the top spots.

• 235 Zaria Robinson (Hoke) has a win over Sophia Marshall (Rosewood) this season. Wintergale Oxendine, Nyema George (Havelock), Sanaa Hocutt and Lanesha Gause could be making a push as well.