State of the Program - Central Phenix City (AL)
Coaching Staff:
Matt Gittens 4 Years Completed Entering Year 5.
Ben Green
Kate Clark
2023 Recap:
This will be the first year of a sanctioned state tournament in Alabama
Finished 5th at the 2023 “State Tournament”
Individuals (Because the 2023 State Tournament was basically an “Open” tournament - we are only listing the placers below):
Arianna Dinkins - 4th at 120
Caidence Sellars - 3rd at 132
Naveah Jackson - 3rd at 152
Graduated:
2023-2024
Returners (Grade):
100 Oriana Stephens 9th
107 Tabitha James 9th
114 Lauren Carerro 7th
120 Arianna Dinkins 9th
120-126 Jaedynn Dunn 10th
120-126 Ally Holland 9th
126-132 Haven Saxon 9th
126-132 Michaela Warner 9th
132 Caidence Sellars 12th
138 Taylor Reid 11th
145 Nevaeh Jackson 12th
145-152 Kennedy Harris 11th
145-152 Izzbella Diez 11th
145-152 Jordai Bolden 10th
165 Anna Higley 9th
185 Hannah McDuffee 11th
235 Ashlynn Johnson 11th
235 Leah Wiseman 10th
Coach Gittens has Central Phenix City rolling as we kickoff the first “official” year of sanctioned wrestling for the girls in Alabama. The girls have been competing for years, but it has been a process getting it approved. But Coach Gittens hasn’t waited for year one to get started. This team is solid from top to bottom with experienced wrestlers that are ready to come in an compete for the first-ever state title. Naveah Jackson, Caidence Sellars, and Arianna Dinkins each placed at last year’s tournament and will be ones to watch. Both Sellars and Jackson have been around this program for a long time and each will look to finish her senior year on the top step. Keep an eye on Hannah McDuffee, Ashlynn Johnson, as well as Tabitha James who also returns and is just a freshman. A name to watch in the future is Lauren Carerro. Don’t be surprised if Central takes home the first-ever Girls State Title in 2024.- SEWrestle