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As the 2008-09 wrestling season arrives, a few of Cobb County's top programs have undergone various changes - not only in leadership, but also in personnel - which should make for an exciting year.

Harrison, which finished second last year at the state dual and traditional tournaments, has a new coach Tom Fiacco, who took the reins from Josh Stephen.

Although the first-year coach lost two state champions, including three-time state champion and 2007-08 Marietta Daily Journal/Cobb County Wrestler of the Year Josh Condon, he inherits a squad that returns three state placers from a year ago - Lucas Mosher (112 pounds), Peter Mosher (119) and state runner-up K.J. Bell (125) - as well two other state qualifiers from a team that went 27-4.

"We have a handful of really good returning starters," Fiacco said. "But, we graduated a lot from last year, so there's not much left over except mostly new kids that haven't wrestled before. So, we'll go through some growing pains."

Another change in the coaching ranks occurred at McEachern. Jason Faklaris, a two-time state champion at Cass, stepped in for Tony Van Horn, who spent 13 years leading the school's wrestling program. The Indians, who swept the state traditional and dual championships in 2007, lost eight state qualifiers from a year ago and will rely heavily on three-time state champion Brandon Westerman to lead a young and fairly inexperienced group back to the top in Area 5AAAAA.

Westerman, a two-time champion at 103 and the title-winner at 119 last year, will wrestle at 130 this season in an attempt to earn his fourth straight state title.

"There is a tradition here at McEachern that we need to excel, and that's what I'm trying to drive through to these wrestlers," Faklaris said. "We're going to wrestle a lot of matches this year so that that last weekend is the one that counts."

Other schools expecting to compete for the Area 5AAAAA title include Kennesaw Mountain, South Cobb, North Cobb, Etowah and Marietta, while the region also adds former Class AAAA squads Cherokee and East Paulding to the mix. North Cobb, another team on the rise, welcomed first-year coach Josh Ward.

Kennesaw Mountain, which continues to build a solid program, brought back five state qualifiers, including placers Ryan Maus (130) and Jonathan Herrera (112). Kennesaw Mountain also added North Cobb transfers Darron and DeAaron Jackson who also qualified for state as members of the Warriors.

"We have a good blend of veterans and young wrestlers," Mustangs coach Roberto Rivera said. "There are a couple of holes to fill, but we should be okay when all is said and done."

Marietta has most of its starters returning from a team that finished among the middle of the 5AAAAA race. Two of the Blue Devils' state placers, Harvey Hurst and Landon Brooks, are expected to anchor the squad as it tries to move up the ladder.

"We'd like to improve on last year," coach Jeff Wheeler said. "We have the numbers and the experience coming back so we should be able compete even better than before."

In Area 6AAAAA, Campbell and Wheeler are hoping for better results than last season, while Pope stands out as the team to beat, even though squads like Walton, Lassiter, and Kell will have something to say about that.

The Greyhounds, winners of last year's Cobb County Invitational, are hoping to improve on a ninth-place showing at the state traditional meet. Nine starters return, including state placer Patrick Anthony and seven other state qualifiers, to roster with plenty of depth and experience.

"We feel pretty good about where we are," Pope coach Jim Haskin said. "We're working on getting guys wrestling at the right weight classes and putting the best possible team out there for duals and traditional meets."

Kell finished fourth at the state meet last season, but will be regrouping this year. The Longhorns lost six starters, but return state placers Andrew Stringer and Josh Hodge, who was a state runner-up at 215.

"We have good numbers, but we have more freshmen than ever before," coach State Lattizori said. "We have a few holes to fill in the lineup, so we'll see how it goes. We're a work in progress."

Lassiter is still building for the future and should be in line to make some noise next year. This season, however, several starters return, including state qualifiers Connor Griffin and Zach Walker along with a more seasoned Acton Pifer, as the Trojans battle in the region.

Walton brings back 189-pound state champion Jeff Olsen along with state placers Phil Holloway, Nolan Legg and Al Holloway. State qualifier Jake Francis also returns to help lead the Raiders in their quest for a region title.

"Our seniors are proven winners," coach Pete Murphy said. "But, we have holes to fill and we're looking for guys who will step up and hold their own. We should be competitive towards the end of the year."

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