State of the Program - Hillgrove (GA)
Coaching Staff:
Shawn Slenczka (15 years)
Alex Valentine
Chris Valentine
John Fichtner
State Qualifiers over the last 9 years
2023 Recap:
Finished 7th at the 7A Traditional State Tournament
Individuals:
Bray Gibson - SQ at 126
Cooper Pedro - SQ at 285
Graduated:
Connor Cooper - 190 lb. State Champion
Zion Rutledge - 215 lb. State Champion
Reece Coppage - SQ at 165
2023-2024
Returners (Grade):
106 Levi Hensley - FR
106 Jet Shaul - FR
113 Ben Payton - SR
120 Adil Sardar - SR
126 Zahir Centeio - JR
126 Caiden Alvarez - SR
132 Will DeSanto - SO
138 Isaiah Remington - JR
144 Bray Gibson - SR
150 Ethan Davis - JR
157 Nathan Nguyen - JR
157 Braxton Powell - JR
165 Coen Buice - JR
175 Weston Robertson - SR
175 Jonathan Rathke - JR
190 Julian Gomez - JR
215 Braylon Kuenker-Foco - JR
285 Cooper Pedro - JR
Hillgrove had two absolute hammers a year ago in State Champions Connor Cooper and Zion Rutledge. Both, along with 165 lb. State Qualifier, Reece Coppage have graduated. That leaves Coach Slenzcka with some holes to fill as we enter the 23-24 season. Fortunately, Hillgrove is well positioned to fill those gaps with some seasoned wrestlers … certainly not at the same level was Cooper, Rutledge, and Coppage, but plenty with experience. The group should be led by returning State Qualifiers Bray Gibson and Cooper Pedro … both of whom will be looking to climb onto the podium in 2024. Ben Payton, Zahir Centeio, Will DeSanto, Isaiah Remington, and Ethan Davis all competed at the Section A tournament in 2023 and each will be looking to punch their ticket to Macon in 2024. Hillgrove should be solid up to 150 … but they relied on Cooper, Rutledge, Coppage, and Pedro to lock down the top of the lineup in the past … and Pedro is the only returner. So Hillgrove will need Nathan Nguyen, Braxton Powell, Coen Buice, Westeon Robertson, Jonathan Rathke, Julian Gomez and Braylon Kuenker-Foco to step up … each is a junior or senior so they understand the importance of being solid at the top of the lineup. Keep an eye on freshmen Jet Shaul and Levi Henley at 106. Hillgrove can be a top 10 team again in 2024, but they will need Gibson, Pedro, and a few others to step in and make some noise for them to do it again. - SEWrestle