I wrote this weekend about our hopes to preview as many teams in the state as we possibly can this season. Our first one is here and we’re taking a look at one of the best young teams in 6A with Edmond North.
Team Outlook:
Last season the Huskies broke records for most freshmen state qualifiers in state tournament history from the same team (9), and most freshmen state medalists from the same team in tournament history (6). Finished 3rd as a team in the state tournament. Capped off a 14-1 dual season that saw them defeat Mustang during the regular season, but then suffer defeat to Mustang in the dual state semifinals. Mustang went on to win the dual state title for the first time in school history.
Roster:
The 2021-22 team features 12 former state qualifiers, a state champion, 6 other state medalists, a Fargo National champion, and 4 other Fargo All-Americans.
● Jaxon Randall (Sr.): 3x state medalist and returning 170-pound State Champion. Posted 10 wins in Fargo this summer competing in Freestyle and Greco. Also competed on the OK National Dual Team.
● Oscar Williams (So.): Captured the 16U 170-pound Greco National Championship this past summer in Fargo. Also competed on the OK National Dual team. State qualifier last season at 152lbs.
● Talon McCollom (So.): Double All-American in Fargo, finished 5th in FS and Greco. Also competed on the OK National Dual Team. State medalist last year at 145lbs.
● Layton Schneider (So.): Greco All-American in Fargo, finished 6th. Also competed on the OK National Dual Team. State runner-up last year at 138lbs.
● Ricky Thomas (So.): Greco All-American in Fargo, finished 5th. Also competed on the OK National Dual Team. State medalist last year at 195lbs.
● Jude Randall (So.): Greco All-American in Fargo, finished 4th. Also competed on the OK National Dual Team. State qualifier last year at 132lbs.
● Hunter Hollingsworth (So.): Member of the OK National Dual Team. State runner-up last season at 113lbs.
● Christian Belford (So.): State medalist last year at 106lbs.
● Brayden Belford (So.): State medalist last year at 120lbs.
● Brayden Lucas (So.): State qualifier last year at 126lbs.
● Aiden Godbehere (Sr.) State qualifier two years ago. Only losses last season were to eventual state champion, Sam Smith of Stillwater, and teammate, Christian Belford.
● Garrett McBride (Sr.): State qualifier two years ago at 106lbs.
● Kody Routledge (Fr.): Talented freshmen who competed on the OK National Dual Team and won the Western Regional in Utah defeating Kyler Larkin (AZ) who went on to win Fargo.
● Max McDaniel (Fr.): Talented freshmen who competed on the OK National Dual Team.
● Jake Goodin (Fr.): Talented freshmen and former OK Jr. High State Champion.
● Bella Williams (Fr.): Won the Girls OK Jr. High State Championship with three falls and a major decision win in the finals. She will look to lead a growing contingent of North girls wrestling.
Schedule Outlook:
The Huskies once again feature a schedule packed with top-notch events. They’ll open the tournament season at Mid-America Nationals in Enid. (Dec. 10-11) The 34-team field will feature five defending state champion teams and three runner-up teams.
The next weekend (Dec 17-18) will follow with the Kansas City Stampede in Kansas City, MO. Year-in and year-out this tournament is ranked among the top high school tournaments in the nation. This year the Stampede will expand from 40 teams to 64 total teams.
After the Christmas break, the Huskies will attend the oldest high school tournament in the nation (since 1945) hosted by Geary High School in Geary, OK. (Jan. 7-8) The blind-draw format always creates exciting first-round match-ups.
The following weekend (Jan 14-15) will be the annual Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference (COAC) Tournament. The Huskies are the defending COAC Champions. Last season, the COAC dominated the state tournament with the top three state teams (Stillwater, Mustang, Ed. North) coming from this conference. The Dual-State champions (Mustang) were also from the COAC. Individually, 20 of the 28 state finalists were from the COAC, including 11 of the 14 State Champions. The COAC had a total of 34 state medalists. The COAC also featured the high school coach of the year, (Picklo-Mustang), assistant coach of the year (James-Ed North), and junior high coach of the year (Tettleton-Ed North). The Huskies close out their tournament season at the Jay Hancock Tournament in Yukon, Oklahoma. (Jan. 21-22)
The dual season will feature some traditional rivalries and a new one.
- On January 11th, the Huskies travel to Memorial to compete in the 3-Dog Night Duals for the
Edmond City Championship. North has won this event the past 20 years in a row. - On January 18th, the Huskies will match-up with the defending dual-state champion Mustang
Broncos. - District Duals for North will be January 20th. Last year the Huskies made it 13 consecutive trips to the Dual State Tournament. This record currently ranks 2nd in 6A behind Broken Arrow who has qualified 14 times in a row. North broke the 6A record last year for most points scored in the first round of Dual State by shutting out Union, 78-0. This year, the Huskies district includes Southmoore, Putnam City, and Midwest City.
- On January 25th, North will take on Yukon in the annual “Schneider Bowl.” The Huskies hold a
10-2 series record in this event. - For the first time in school history, the Huskies will wrestle Broken Arrow in a regular season
dual. (Feb 1st) The two teams have met six times at Dual State with the Tigers holding a 6-0
advantage.
Coaching Staff:
Head HS Coach Andy Schneider: 23rd year with Edmond North. Beginning 13th year as the head coach. Began coaching in Romeo, MI for 2 years, then moved to Oklahoma and coached the Edmond Generals for 2 years prior to Hardell Moore taking over the program. Last season Schneider was named the COAC Coach of the Year and the Region 8 Coach of the Year. He is also a member of the OKUSA National Team staff. Career record as Edmond North Head Coach: (132-21)
HS Asst: David James: beginning 5th year with the Huskies. Storied career as Head Coach of UCO. Brings an immeasurable amount of wisdom and experience to the program. Two big accomplishments for James last season included being named the HS Assistant Coach of the Year and getting to coach his first….and second High School State Champions; Jaxon Randall and Braden Bowman.
HS Asst: Mike Arnold: beginning his 3rd year at North. Was a 3x HS state champion and also a Jr College All-American and NAIA runner-up. Has coached at the youth, high school, and college levels. Is a retired Homeland Security officer.
JH Head Coach: Larry Tettleton: Beginning 28th year with Edmond North. Is also a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Last season he led the program to their 4th Edmond Junior High Tournament title and broke the record for most points scored in the tournament dating back to 1942. Tettleton was named the 2020-21 Oklahoma Jr High Coach of the year for all sports. Also coaches football and baseball.
JH Asst: Evan Chada: Beginning 4th year with the program. Edmond graduate who wrestled for Memorial high school.
JH Asst: Kyle Garcia: Joins the JH staff this season. Kyle was a 4x HS state champion at Del City and Choctaw High Schools. Wrestled collegiately for both the Sooners and Cowboys.
Freestyle/Club Coach: Boo Lewellan: joined the staff last spring working with the freestyle program. Will continue to work with individuals on the team during the winter season. Was a 3x HS state champion for Yukon and a 3x All-American for OSU
Thank you to Coach Andy Schneider for the assistance on this. If anyone wants to get their school featured here, please send me your information and we’ll put it together.
