Southwest Wake Athletic Conference wrestling preview

Holly Springs is the two-time defending Southwest Wake Athletic Conference wrestling champion and will have a strong lineup again this season.

The Golden Hawks (26-1, 7-0 in 2014-15 season) are led by senior Cam Devers, who went 47-3 at 138 pounds and was runner-up for the 4A title. Holly Springs returns three other state qualifiers: Daniel Meyers (106 pounds last season), senior Nick Connochie (152) and senior Elijah Geniesse (160).

Holly Springs also picks up a transfer from Panther Creek, Joshua Lehr, who was fourth in 4A in 113 pounds.

Cary (31-4, 5-2) brings back Kollin Wade, the reigning state champ at 145 pounds who went 40-2 overall. The Imps also return regional champs Reid Stewart (113), a junior who was sixth in 4A, and senior 285-pounder Rod Perry.

Athens Drive (27-4, 5-2), coming off a school-record in wins, return just one state qualifier – Faris Busisou (113 pounds), a junior.

Panther Creek (15-6, 5-2), which finished in a three-way tie for second but was left out of the playoffs on a random three-way draw, brings back senior Miles Kent (152) and senior Chad Laska (160) as state qualifiers.

Fuquay-Varina (18-10, 3-4), which took a big step forward, is led by senior Josh Arrington, a state qualifier at 170 pounds.

Apex (8-12, 1-6), Green Hope (7-13, 1-6) and Middle Creek (7-18, 1-6) all tied for last in the SWAC and all graduated their only state qualifiers.

Apex Friendship, in its first year, will be coached by Kyle Baird.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 10:22 AM with the headline "Southwest Wake Athletic Conference wrestling preview."