State of the Program - Pisgah (NC)
Coaching Staff:
Ryan Gibson - 16 years
Gage Norris
David Bryson
2023 Recap:
Finished 11th at the 3A Traditional State Tournament
Individuals:
Landon Pope - 3rd at 182
Kail Burnette - SQ at 106
Matthew Mehaffey - SQ at 126
Kane Bryson - SQ at 113
Xander Hill - 2nd at 152
Tytus Bridges - SQ at 195
Graduated:
2023-2024
Returners (Grade):
106 Levi Curtis (So.)
106 Walker Henline (Fr.)
113-120 Kail Burnette (So.)
113-120 Christian Gibson (So.)
120-126 Kane Bryson (Jr.)
132 Jacob Cruz-Reyes (So.)
132 Turner Robb (Jr.)
138-144 Matthew Mehaffey (So.)
138-144 Jason McClellan (Sr.)
144-150 Tyson Silver (Jr.)
144-150 JP Chapman (Jr.)
150-157 Xander Hill (Sr.)
157-165 Cameron King (Sr.)
165-175 Levi Early (So.)
175-190 Jackson Bautista (So.)
190-215 Landon Pope (So.)
190-215 Tytus Bridges (Sr.)
285 Eli Frizzell (Jr.)
You look at the chart above with the number of state qualifiers and, if you are a Pisgah fan, you have to be excited about the upward trend. The Bears qualified 6 in 2024, put 2 on the podium and all 6 return this season. That is one reason Pisgah is amongst the favorites in 3A. Looking up and down the roster … as Coach Gibson says “this is still a very young team on paper …” and while that is true it features a ton of talent that has post-season experience. State Runner-up Xander Hill is one of the few seniors, along with State Qualifier Tytus Bridges and Jason McClellan, and will be looked on to lead the squad in 23-24. Pisgah has hammers sprinkled throughout the lineup with returning State Qualifiers Kail Burnette and Kane Bryson down low, Matthew Mehaffey and Hill in the middle and State Placer Landen Pope and Bridges up top. Pisgah also features some tough Freshmen that have moved up this year that will push wrestlers in the starting line-up, along with sophomores from last season. Don’t be surprised if there are some battles for varsity spots throughout the season. Jacob Cruz-Reyes, Tyson Silver, and Eli Frizzell each won matches in the 3A West Region in 2024 and each will be counted on to punch their ticket in 2024 … 9 or 10 Bears on the mats the final weekend of the season could be a recipe for a title. - SEWrestle