The Nation Ford Falcons are opening the 2025-2026 season with a new head coach and new expectations.
Former Nation Ford wrestler Brady Hensley returns this season as head coach of the Falcons and is the first former student-athlete to become a head coach for the school. He knows where the program has been and wants to see it continue to move forward.
“I want to see us grow in the dual team department,” he said. “I want to see us make the playoffs and win a match or two and make a little run.”
Hensley was an assistant coach last season on the Nation Ford JV wrestling program. He is a special education assistant for Nation Ford High School.
“I fell in love with the kids,” he said. “They are awesome. They are a young group, but very coachable. I think being back in the same room I grew up in has been really good.”
There are four potential standouts for the Falcons this season starting at 113-pounds with Easton Ruth. The others are in the upper weight classes in Camron Magyer (175), Sulaymon Askarov (190), and Lorenzo Smith (hwt).
Hensley said he expects Askarov and Magyer to be on the podium by the end of the year. Ruth has moved up from 106-pounds last year and Hensley expects him to “have a very good year.” Smith has also moved up to heavyweight from 215-pounds.
“He is getting more technical every day,” Hensley said.
One thing that has plagued Nation Ford in the past is not having holes in their lineup.
“As it is now, we have a full line up,” Hensley said. “We have backups in nearly every weight. Barring injuries or anything happening, we have a full line up. We have a log jam in the middle of the line up between 144 and 165. We shouldn’t have any holes this year.”
Nation Ford started the season on Wednesday, Nov 26 with the Black Knight Gobbler tournament at North Davidson High School. They will have a home quad to open their dual season on Wednesday, Dec. 3 against Weddington, Andrew Jackson, and North Central.
They will be participating in the Ugly Sweater Duals at Travelers Rest High School on Saturday, Dec. 13 and the Air Force Duals at Boiling Springs High on Saturday, Dec. 20. They will also participate in the Rebel Knockout Duals at Byrnes High School on Tuesday, Dec. 30 over the Christmas break.
Nation Ford opens their Region 3-5A dual season hosting Indian Land on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
