After finishing sixth in Region 4-AAAA in the 2024-25 season, the wrestling team is working towards advancing to State as a team in their upcoming season.
Junior Noah Northcutt said the team has more enthusiasm and energy going into this year.
“This year we’re feeling energetic, [which is] a big change from last year,” Northcutt said. “This is now my third year on the team,and I feel more prepared and excited than ever.”
According to senior co-captain Mychael Hunter, the bond between the team and their shared energy is one of their strongest advantages going into the season.
“I think the biggest strength we have as a team is the amount of camaraderie we have coming into the season,” Hunter said. “Wrestling is not just a physical game, it’s a mental one too. That’s why I’m glad we have so many new teammates that are close friends outside wrestling. Then they’ll be able to support each other when things get tough.”
Big changes to the team will include new members to the team. Head coach Calvin Arnold said he has high hopes with the addition of new wrestlers this season.
“I saw some good things at tryouts, but you never really know until you get to live action,” Arnold said. “The strategy for the first part of the season is to get everybody some reps and give everybody at least one chance to wrestle so they know what to expect. All I want is for everyone to give effort and everything else will take care of itself.”
The biggest change expected from the wrestling program this year is the change in numbers. This year, the girls wrestling team has become bigger than it ever has been.
“The boys team is a lot bigger, but the girls are starting to come along.” Arnold said. “When I first started, I had one girl, the next year I had three and this year I have about five or six girls.”
Junior girls captain Nevaeh Taylor expanded on the increase in girls wrestlers. She said the additional roster depth will benefit the team throughout the season.
“My first year I was the first girl and my second year we had two other girls join,” Taylor said. “But this year we have nearly a whole girls team and I love it because it makes me feel like I started something.”
Hunter said the growth on the girls team will be a key component to the success of the team this year along with the tight knit culture of the team.
“There’s a good and cohesive atmosphere where communication and mutual support help wrestlers stay mentally strong, especially during tough matches,” Hunter said. “With more members than ever, especially among the girls, and a shared goal of reaching state, the team is energized and focused.”
Northcutt said the overall goal for the team this season is to get more wrestlers past the sectional level and onto the state competition. He emphasized the importance of team effort to perform well and achieve their set goals.
“Right now the expectation is to do everything we can, and give everything we can to win.” Northcutt said. “Even if we might not win, the effort was there and we truly want to give everything we have. Ultimately the goal will be to push the team to sectionals, the big end of year bracket tournament, getting someone from each weight class on the team to a spot at sectionals would be the ultimate goal.”
The Knights begin their season on Nov. 15 in their opening match against Pace Academy and North Atlanta high school. Hunter said he is excited for the year ahead and to see how the team will perform.
“It’s like any other good team atmosphere: fun, cohesion, communication, commitment to a common goal.” Hunter said. “There are far more wrestlers now than ever before, especially in terms of girls, I see far more skill on the team compared to before.”
