The Upperman Bees wrestling team is entering the season with momentum after a standout campaign last season that produced two state champions and a renewed sense of depth across the roster.
Last season, the Bees saw Jacob Stinnett capture the state title at 106 pounds, while Grady Phelps secured gold at 126 pounds. Four wrestlers qualified for the TSSAA state tournament. Head Coach Cameron Stinnett said that even those who did not reach state played critical roles in practice and dual meets.
Stinnett said things are looking good as they prepare for the regular season. Upperman concluded two preseason tournaments before opening the season in November. Stinnett said his freshmen stood out during those fast paced tournaments.
“If you’re practicing properly, you’re going to get some conditioning just through your practice,” Stinnett said. “We’re going five days a week and two hours a day, biggest portion of that is spent in wrestling and drills of wrestling so you’re going to catch cardio there.”
The Bees enter the season having concluded two preseason tournaments. Stinnett said his freshmen made a strong impression during those tournaments. Stinnett said the focus this season will be on conditioning and toughness, with running making up only 15 percent of their workouts. Stinnett said the conditioning is something he continues to look for in matchups, more than half of which were decided by fewer than ten points last season.
“That’s what you want,” Stinnett said. “You want it to be competitive going into the third period and not just getting blown out, so I’m just proud of the way some kids have matured and how to be tough during the duration of the match, they’re competing for six minutes and that’s what you want to see as a coach.”
Stinnett said depth has improved in key weight classes, with the 144 and 156-pound divisions bolstered by incoming freshmen. Stinnett said every weight class should be filled as the season begins, emphasizing the next man up mentality that has become a cornerstone of the program.
“We’ve had kids come up and show some toughness,” Stinnett said. “That’s part of the game is next man up.”
Upperman returns two wrestlers ranked number one in their respective weight classes. Jacob Stinnett returns ranked number one at 120 pounds, while Grady Phelps claims the top spot at 126 pounds.