In a state where football is king, especially after the Georgia Bulldogs were crowned kings of college football for the first time in over 40 years, it’s incredible to fathom the significant and rapid growth the sport of wrestling has made across the state of Georgia. 

Georgia has rarely been mentioned in discussions about high school wrestling power states — until recently. It’s clear that the passion and the talent in the sport is rising in Georgia and it isn’t slowing down any time soon.

That rapid growth can be attributed to clubs that began to grow and prosper in the early 2000s, promoting a high-level of competition to give Georgia wrestlers something bigger to strive for, and the talent pool continues to grow. 

As the rankings stand now, three Georgia high schoolers find themselves in Flo’s high school pound-for-pound rankings – the most outside of Pennsylvania. 

Woodland’s Caleb Henson, #1 in the nation at 152 pounds, was one of four Super 32 champs from Georgia in both 2020 and 2021, and even took home a stop sign at Fargo as champ last summer. It’s a message to other young wrestlers across the state that now is the time to be great. 

This weekend is a chance for so many of them to do just that.

Though this weekend’s state tournament won’t feature many nationally-ranked matchups due to the state’s seven-class system, it will serve as more of a coronation for guys like Henson, fellow Super 32 champ Chase Horne, and the other standouts who have rightfully earned nationwide praise.

Both Henson and Horne smashed their competition on Day 1 of the state tournament Thursday to set up an opportunity for their third and fourth state titles, respectively. 

A few spots behind Henson in the 152-pound rankings at #12 is Woodward Academy’s Michael Kilic, who opted to go 160 for the postseason and is one of three nationally ranked Woodward Academy wrestlers (#17 Gunner Filipowicz & #1 Matt Singleton) at three weights in a row to punch their ticket to Friday night’s 5A finals. 

Be on the lookout for Super 32 finalist #8 Jake Crapps to take home state gold this weekend at 126 pounds. He’s part of a Cass team that knocked off the star-studded Woodward in the 5A state championship.

Camden County, meanwhile, is the latest dominating force in the 7A division after cruising to its eighth straight team state title and qualified 10 for the individual tournament this weekend.

Speaking of domination, the 6A champs from Buford qualified all 14 weight classes and could have champs at the three of the first four led by an incredible freshman class that includes Maddox McArthur (120) and Drew Gorman (126) who already locked up spots in Friday’s state finals alongside teammates Ryland Ibold (106) and Conor McCloskey (170).

It may not be breaking news that Georgia wrestling is on the rise, but it’s always worth being celebrated. This weekend is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Finals Schedule:

FINALS (3A, 4A, 5A & 6A): Friday, February 8, 2022 @ 6:00PM ET

FINALS (1A, 2A, 7A & Girls): Saturday, February 9, 2022 @ 10:00AM ET

All matches will be ARCHIVED on FloWrestling the second that they end so stay tuned!

Delbarton vs. Bergen Catholic for #1 in NJ on Friday Night

Though it’s been two years and a worldwide pandemic since the last time these two met, that doesn’t mean the memories of Delbarton’s 45-12 blowout over the Crusaders back in 2020 aren’t still fresh.

With that said, do not expect this year’s matchup to look anything like that one.

On paper, these two teams appear to be neck and neck and there’s a few big factors that will decide which of these perennial programs comes out on top.

Will we see Joe Cangro for Bergen Catholic? He was injured in the quarterfinals of the Bergen County tournament and hasn’t wrestled since. Cangro is currently ranked #1 in the state, but he could be eyeing a matchup with freshman phenom Alessio Perentin, who he fell to this offseason. 

While Bergen Catholic looks to have the slight edge up at the heaviest weight classes, some lineup maneuvering from the state’s deepest lineup, Delbarton, could make up some points. Delbarton’s advantage is its depth in the middleweights and fans should be intrigued at which combination of its six returning state placers from 132 to 160 the Green Wave rolls out for this match and in which order. You can guarantee there to be a few notable ranked matchups throughout this dual, but with guys like Simon Ruiz and state champ Andy Troczynski, who could potentially bump up and still secure a win, Delbarton makes for a really tough matchup.

Keep in mind, though, the Crusaders have been flexing some serious depth themselves in recent weeks. If Cangro isn’t able to go at 138 in this one, Bergen still has to feel good about who they’re sending out as his replacement. August Hibler shocked fans across the state by knocking off three-time state placer and Penn commit Alex Almeyda a few weeks ago at 138 and then just to prove he wasn’t messing around, did it once again on Wednesday, putting the finishing touches on a 33-18 Bergen Catholic win to set up Friday night’s matchup.

A few big-time tossups will open the dual. The most notable coming at 106, where two state-ranked youngsters will face off in Chase Quenault and Brian Melamud. Melamud won the first meeting at Powerade back in December and Bergen Catholic will be counting on him to win again in what is sure to be a major swing bout.

The winner Friday night will move onto the state championship finals at Franklin High School on Sunday when they’ll be joined by the sectional champs from all the other groups before a new batch of state championship teams is crowned.

PIAA Team States All Weekend Long on FloWrestling!

Action got underway Thursday at the GIANT Center and continues all weekend long as the Keystone State’s best squads fight for a team title. Quarterfinals and semifinals are on Friday and the finals will be on Saturday.

The big question in Hershey this weekend:

What are the chances the PIAA state finals in both divisions features teams from District 11? That’s what Brock Hite picked.

In the AAA division, District 11 rivals Bethlehem Catholic and Nazareth seem to be the likely favorites to clash in what would be a rematch from earlier this season that Bethlehem Catholic won 30-24. But first, Nazareth will likely need to get through Waynesburg, the returning AAA champs, led by state champ Mac Church and Ironman champ Rocco Welsh in Friday night’s semis.

Awesome performances at Ironman, Beast of the East, Escape the Rock have primed this loaded Bethlehem Catholic team as the popular pick, but things can always get interesting when age-old rivals collide.

In AA, Notre Dame feels like the favorite, after a recent 35-15 win over Saucon Valley – one of the top contenders in this bracket, but a team that’s been banged up all season long. However, hopes are high with the return of #5 ranked pound for pounder, Ryan Crookham, who won two state titles for Notre Dame but is now wearing a Saucon Valley singlet. 

Aside from the addition of Crookham, what will be different if the two teams meet this time around?

Be sure to tune into FloWrestling this weekend to find out!

We have you covered LIVE from the Giant Center in Hershey, PA.