Stanhope Elmore High School senior Connor Russo avenged his only loss of the 2023 high school wrestling season in the biggest way possible Saturday afternoon as the 2023 68th AHSAA State Wrestling Championships conclude at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center.

Matched up with defending state champion Aiden Knight, who handed Russo his only loss last week in the Class 6A Super Sectional finals, the Mustangs wrestler squeezed out a 3-2 win to finish the season at 38-1. More importantly, he won the Class 6A 170-pound weight class state title – and handed Knight (86-1) his only loss in of the season for the McAdory senior.

Knight’s own strong performance earned his team 20 points and a strong bunch of teammates put the Yellow Jackets over the top as McAdory, coached Blake Dutton, emerged as the 2023 Class 6A state champions with 160.5 points.

The Yellow Jackets did have three wrestlers claim individual titles with Hudson Waldrop (89-2) winning at 126 pounds, Christion Griggs (74-3) at 160 pounds, and Savian Graham (82-4) at 182 pounds.

Vestavia Hills, coached by Tee Adams, captured the 7A state championship with 210 points, Jasper, coached by Tripp Otis, claimed the 5A title with 116.5 points and Weaver, coached by Andy Fulmer, won the 1A/4A state championship with 105 points edging Dora by four points.

Russo’s victory had to help him put last week’s tough loss to Knight behind him. He earned 24 of his team’s 26.5 total points.

Joshua Johannson, who earned Most Outstanding wrestler honors in Class 1A/4A, won the 170-pound championship with a pin over Layton Pohl of New Hope at 3:06 in the finals to clinch his fourth individual state championship with a perfect 42-0 season. It also helped the Bearcats pull ahead of Dora for good.

Jasper, which won the Class 5A duals title in January, won the state title over runner-up Scottsboro in dramatic fashion when junior Cole Carter pinned Gulf Shores’ Lucas Salcedo (33-2) in the 195-pound finals at 3:48 to break a tie at the top.

The Vikings finished with 116.5 points to take first place thanks to his six points earned with the pin. Scottsboro finished second at 110.5. Carter’s six points for the pin provided the final difference.

Arab’s Will Caneer (53-1), who won the 5A individual championship at 220 pounds, was named the Class 5A most outstanding wrestler. He closed out his senior season with a pin over Logan Hall (51-5) of Moody in the final match at 1:21. Pelham’s Seth Branham was selected Class 6A most outstanding wrestler, and Hewitt-Trussville’s Hunter Jones was chosen by the coaches as 7A most outstanding wrestler. Both won 220-pound individual titles.

Vestavia Hills had just one individual champion in the final round, but had a strong showing from top to bottom to seal the 7A title early. Senior Andrew Sykes (18-2) won at 220 pounds with a 3-1 win in the finals over Chelsea’s Kalob Johnstone (42-3) to emerge as the Rebels’ only individual winner.

Montevallo senior Gavin Monk (54-0) had a 3-1 decision over Jack Von Eschenbach of St. John Paul II (57-3) in the 145-pound Class 1A/4A finals to finish the season undefeated. Competing in the same weight class in Class 6A, Isaiah Powe of Gardendale topped off a 54-0 season by pinning Pike Road senior Jake Bryant at 2:41 in the finals.

Isaiah’s younger brother, junior Daishun Powe (56-0) also posted an undefeated season with a 12-4 major decision win over Hartselle senior Payton Roberts (35-7) in the152-pound 6A finals.

Hayden senior Bentley Briscoe (57-0) needed just 48 seconds to close his undefeated season with a pin over Moody junior Skylar Gomer (27-8) in the Class 5A 152-pound finals.

Ranburne senior 285-pounder Carson Hall (50-0) pinned Prattville Christian junior Aiden Cockrell (37-9) in the final match of the 1A/4A division to claim his third straight state championship. He finished the season with 42 pins.

Marcus Wright of Westmister Christian won his third straight state title with a 6-2 decision in the 126-pound division over Logan Hartson of Saint James (38-4). Wright finished the season at 22-4.

Dora senior Jonathan Foster (40-0) helped the Bulldogs claim second place over in the 1A/4A division with a technical fall 17-2 win over Weaver’s Anthony Usry (43-4).

Complete results from the championship matches:

AHSAA 68th Wrestling Championships

Championship Match Pairings

CLASS 1A/4A

106 pounds: David Hill, Oak Grove (62-3), 8th, def. Briley Carter, Ohatchee (34-2), So, TF-1.5 3:16, 24-6.

113 pounds: Tanner Jarrell, White Plains (59-3) def. Trent Hopkins, Saks (52-5), Sr., DEC 8-2.

120 pounds: Jayden Rouse, Dora (41-1), Jr., pinned Mason Hahm, White Plains (52-3), So., FALL 6:00).

126 pounds: Marcus Wright, Westminster Chr. (22-4), Sr., def. Logan Hartson, Saint James (38-4), Jr., DEC 6-2.

132 pounds: Damon Clayton, Dora (37-0), Sr., def. Shayd Arboneaux, Orange Beach (50-8), Sr., DEC 5-0.   Sr.

138 pounds: David Herrick, Cherokee Co. (21-4), Jr., def.  Austen Mayfield, Cleburne Co. (46-3), So., DEC 6-0.

145 pounds: Gavin Monk, Montevallo (54-0), Sr., def. Jack Von Eschenbach, St. John Paul II (57-3), Jr., DEC 3-1.

152 pounds: Matthew King, Ohatchee (31-2), Sr., pinned Ny’dariun Jones, Alabama School/Blind (37-5), Sr., FALL 5:44.

160 pounds: Rickey Toney, New Hope (26-3), Sr., def. Devin Jeffreys, Deshler (44-4), Sr., DEC 6-4.

170 pounds: Joshua Johannson, Weaver (42-0), Sr., pinned Layton Pohl, New Hope (32-7, Fr.), FALL 3:06.

182 pounds: Jonathan Foster, Dora (40-0), Sr., def. Anthony Usry, Weaver (43-4), Sr., TF 1.5 5:02 (17-2).

195 pounds: Mason Ellis, Madison County (51-1), Jr., pinned Ansel Stinnett, American Christian (36-3), Sr., FALL 5:42.

220 pounds: Layden Olsen, Ashville (28-5), Sr., def. Charles Adams, Montevallo (37-9), Jr., MED FORFEIT

285 pounds: Carson Hall, Ranburne (50-0), Sr., pinned Aidan Cockrell, Prattville Christian (32-7), Jr., FALL 1:50.

Most outstanding wrestler: Joshua Johannson, Weaver (170 champ).

CLASS 5A

106 pounds: Colby Silva, Arab (62-3), Fr., def. Rutland Phillips, Tallassee (49-4), Sr., DEC 2-0.

113 pounds: Stone Staton, Scottsboro (47-2), Fr., def.  Kortez Samuels, Jasper (39-7), Fr., MAJ DEC 13-4.

120 pounds: Nick Sykes, Shelby County (46-6), So., def. Preston Jones, Alexandria (46-1), Jr., DEC 9-4.

126 pounds: John Stewart, Scottsboro (40-1), Fr., pinned Karson Poe, Moody (38-8), 8th, FALL 1:28.

132 pounds: Land Bell, Tallassee (43-3), So., pinned Ethan Caldwell Jasper (45-4), Sr., FALL 3:31.

138 pounds: Evan Phillips, Hayden (42-2), Sr., def. Caleb Mooney, Shelby County (41-13), Fr., TF 1.5 6:00 (17-1).

145 pounds: Brody Mizzell, St. Clair County (34-1), Sr., pinned Josh Draskovic, Scottsboro (43-11), So., FALL 5:30.

152 pounds: Bentley Briscoe, Hayden (57-0), Sr., pinned Skylar Gomer, Moody (27-8), Jr., FALL 0:48.

160 pounds: Joshua Roe, Arab (57-6), Sr., def. Ansel Goggans, Scottsboro (48-4), Jr., DEC 3-2.

170 pounds: Cole Sykes, Shelby County (14-1), Jr., def. Evan Scrivner, St. Clair Co. (43-6), Sr., DEC 10-4.

182 pounds: Patrick Lawler, Arab (65-4), Sr., pinned Jamie Burnam, Jasper (43-8), Sr., FALL 3:27.

195 pounds: Cole Carter, Jasper (17-1), Jr., pinned Lucas Salcedo, Gulf Shores (33-2), Sr., FALL 3:48.

220 pounds: Will Caneer, Arab (53-1). Sr., pinned Logan Hall, Moody (51-5), Jr., FALL 1:21.

285 pounds:  Christopher Eyerly, Elmore County (37-7), Jr., def. Sam Schepker, Gulf Shores (57-7), Jr., DEC 7-2.

Most outstanding wrestler: Will Caneer, Arab (220 champ).

CLASS 6A

106 pounds: Joseph Marcum, Homewood (50-4), Fr., def. Wesley Miller, McAdory (65-12), Sr., DEC 9-5.

113 pounds: John Duncan, Pike Road (31-3), Jr., def. Stephen Springfield, Mountain Brook (50-10), So., DEC 7-4.

120 pounds: Brodie Christmas, Mortimer Jordan (37-1), Jr., def. Demarcus Powe, Gardendale (36-13), So., DEC 4-1.

126 pounds: Hudson Waldrop, McAdory (89-2). Sr., def. Gage Roberts, Hartselle (38-8), So., DEC 8-0.

132 pounds: Will Anderson, Athens (32-2), So., def. Lincoln Bryant, Hartselle (42-4), Jr., MAJ DEC 8-0.

138 pounds: Sam Sutton, Homewood (53-2), Sr., def. Chad Strickland, Wetumpka (43-3). Sr., DEC 1-0.

145 pounds: Isaiah Powe, Gardendale (54-0), Sr., pinned Jake Bryant, Pike Road (24-11), Sr., FALL 2:41.

152 pounds: Daishun Powe, Gardendale (56-0), Jr., def. Payton Roberts, Hartselle (35-7), Sr., MAJ DEC 12-4.

160 pounds: Christion Griggs, McAdory (74-3), Jr., def. Oliver Howard, Decatur (24-1), Jr., DEC 6-2.

170 pounds: Connor Russo, Stanhope Elmore (38-1) def. Aiden Knight, McAdory (86-1), Sr., DEC 3-2.

182 pounds: Savian Graham, McAdory (82-4), Sr., pinned D’vonte Simpson, Spanish Fort (22-2), Sr., FALL 2:40.

195 pounds: Seth Branham, Pelham (39-1) def. Allen Baker, Mountain Brook (40-9), Sr., DEC 7-3.

220 pounds: Christian Preston, Wetumpka (36-4), Jr., pinned Avery Boyette, Russell County (66-13), Jr., FALL 5:25.

285 pounds: Willie Cox, Wetumpka (46-2), Jr., def. Gage Beyke, Gardendale (46-7), So., DEC 3-0.

Most outstanding wrestler: Seth Branham, Pelham (195 champ).

CLASS 7A

106 pounds: Clark Box, Hewitt-Trussville (59-5) def. Kiyan Simon, Huntsville (47-2), So., DEC 1-0.

113 pounds: Camden Tipton, Oak Mountain (62-7), Sr. def. Stone Phillips, Vestavia Hills (33-8), Fr., DEC 6-3.

120 pounds: Thomas Giere, Thompson (55-6), Sr., def. Kameron Stiffler, Enterprise (56-7), So., DEC 8-5.

126 pounds: Ty Sisson, Hoover (38-8), Sr., pinned Grier Hunt, Enterprise (53-8), So., FALL 4:39.

132 pounds: Yanik Simon, Huntsville (42-2), So., def. Kiowa Vines, Thompson (43-13), So., DEC 5-1.

138 pounds: Jake Ciccolella, Huntsville (46-2), Jr., def. Bradley Williams, Spain Park (56-), Fr., DEC 8-7.

145 pounds: Brady Campbell, Opelika (42-1), So., pinned Andrew Sullivan, Vestavia Hills (28-7), FALL 3:36.

152 pounds: Devin Stone, Thompson (40-3), Sr., def. Cody Kirk of Enterprise (55-2), So., DEC 3-1.

160 pounds: John McKinney, Huntsville (40-5), Jr., def. Harris Mitchell, Vestavia Hills (22-2), Sr., DEC 9-2.

170 pounds: Carson Freeman, Thompson (49-9), Sr., def. Jackson Mitchell, Spain Park (42-4), Sr., DEC 3-2.

182 pounds: William Conlon, Spain Park (49-1), Sr., pinned Jack Lamey, Jr., Hoover (43-6), Sr., FALL 5:01.

195 pounds: Hunter Jones, Hewitt-Trussville (33-2), Sr., def. Kyle Oliveira, Spain Park (34-10), Sr., DEC 5-0.

220 pounds: Andrew Sykes, Vestavia Hills (18-2), Sr., def. Kalob Johnstone, Chelsea (42-3), Sr., SV-1, 3-1.

285 pounds: Rayshod Burts, Spain Park (52-3), Sr., def. Zack Chatman, Hewitt-Trussville (50-16), Jr., DEC 3-0.

Most outstanding wrestler: Hunter Jones, Hewitt-Trussville (195 champ).

CLASS 1A/4A TEAM SCORING (TOP 10)

1. Weaver – 105.0

2. Dora – 101.0

2. Ashville – 98.5

4. Saint James – 80.5

5. Ranburne – 76.0

6. New Hope – 73.5

7. Ohatchee – 69.0

8. Madison County – 61.5

T9. Deshler – 58.0

T9. Saks – 58.0

CLASS 5A TEAM SCORING (TOP 10)

1. Jasper – 116.5

2. Scottsboro – 110.5

3.  Arab – 107.0

3. Gulf Shores – 95.0

5. Shelby County – 84.0

6. Hayden – 77.5

7. Tallassee – 70.0

8. Moody – 67.0

9. St. Clair County – 38.0

10. Elmore County – 32.0

CLASS 6A TEAM SCORING (TOP 10)

1. McAdory – 160.5

2. Gardendale – 138.5

T3. Mortimer Jordan – 134.0

T3. Mountain Brook – 134.0

5. Homewood – 122.0

6. Hartselle – 110.5

7. Wetumpka – 94.5

8. Athens – 69.5

9. Pike Road – 66.0

10. Pelham – 56.0

CLASS 7A TEAM SCORING (TOP 10)

1. Vestavia Hills – 210.0

2. Thompson – 195.0

3. Huntsville – 157.0

4. Hewitt-Trussville – 133.0

5. Spain Park –116.5

6. Hoover – 100.0

7. Bob Jones – 98.5

8. Enterprise – 95.0

9. Chelsea – 52.5

10. Smiths Station – 40.0