Huntsville, AL – Johannson is victorious for a third state championship as an individual He wins back-to back State championships in Class 1A-4A Weaver

Joe Medley Joe Medley

Weaver left the Von Braun Center having ended the state championship drought that began in 2022. The Bearcats were state champions on Saturday. The the state’s coaches voting their coach of the longest tenure as their state’s coach for the period 2021-22. There’s a term for this … affirmation. “As an entire team, we wanted to win another time to prove that our method of working is right,” senior J.D. Johannson declared. Johannson’s pin on New Hope’s Layton Pohl in the 170-pound final of the championship clinched Weaver’s 11th state championship and second consecutively in the past.


Weaver the head coach Andy Fulmer poses with assistant Justin Brown and a certificate to show that coaches voted Fulmer as the coach of the year for the 2021-22 season in the year that Weaver took home the first of its current 2 consecutive state titles. (Photo from Joe Medley)

State teammates have voted Andy Fulmer, now a two-time state champion coach in his 19th year as the head coach of Weaver and the state’s coach for the year in 2021-22, in recognition of the state championship last year. There was more than one win on Saturday for wrestling teams in the region. White Pains’ Tanner Jarrell turned the tables after losing three times against Saks’ Trent Hopkins this season, and won their final match of 113 pounds in Class 1A-4A with an 8-2 win. In Ohatchee’s final, Matthew King reversed the sting of a narrow defeat at the finals in 2022 by defeating Alabama School for the Blind’s Ny’Darian Smith at 5:44. Similar to Johannson, Ranburne senior heavyweight Carson Hall plopped his shoes on the mat in 1A-4A as the reigning champion three times, having defeated Prattville Christian’s Aiden Cockrell at 1:50. However, the day was won by Weaver as well as Fulmer. After rallying from behind on the final of the three days to beat Ohatchee only by one point, and break an 18-year drought to win the title the Bearcats beat Dora 101-105.


Weaver 2023, the Class 1A-4A Alabama state champion in wrestling poses for photos after the state championship concluded on Saturday in the Huntsville’s Von Braun Center. (Photo taken by Joe Medley)

Ashville The team from Ashville which edged Weaver to take the North Super Sectional a week ago, finished third scoring 98.5 points. Although the gap was close at first and stayed there, Weaver led after all three days in Huntsville. Fulmer’s team left the Von Braun Center with another Alabama High School Athletic Association “blue map” to complete the program’s vast collection. He left to be greeted by his his colleagues as outlined on an official certificate. The program that Late Gene Taylor brought to prominence was able to bridge over to Fulmer one year ago and the bridge has was recently opened to traffic.”This is wonderful however, the details does not mean anything,” Fulmer said. “It’s all about the program and how we can finish the job this weekend. “I’ve been blessed with the best Assistant coach (Justin Brown) as well as the top children and the best parents, which simplifies my work.”

Weaver began Saturday’s consolation match Finals and the championship with 97, ahead of Ashville (84.5) in addition to Dora (82.5). Dora moved ahead and snatched two points within 99-95.5. Jayden Rouse took down White Plains’ Mason Hahm at the final buzzer in the 120 final. the 132 Damon Clayton took a 5-0 decision against the Orange Beach’s Shayd Arboneaux. All this happened following Dora 161 Delvin Taylor scored a huge victory over Weaver’s Caden Thornton in the consolation final. Weaver was left with Johannson to face for the 170 title as well as Anthony Usry in 182. Johannson made it to the final needing to win to secure his victory. He was pinned by Pohl at 3:06 and improved to 42-0 overall. Johannson admitted that he didn’t worry in the midst of a challenging first half. He knew he was in good shape. His attitude was evident, right before the match began, his feet walked across the mat. As he looked at wrestlers getting ready for 170 finals , on 7A mats, 6A, and 5A the grin of confidence swung across his entire face. “Almost every final in my weight class , in the other classes I’ve wrestled with one of them at some time in my life,” he said. “All throughout my life I’ve wrestled with the top wrestlers at the level of my class in state competitions. “It was like an understanding that I am entitled to have a place here. Everyone is doing amazing things and I’m right alongside them.” Read more… Continue reading…]


AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs presents Weaver’s J.D.Johannson with an award for the Class 1A-4A class of 2023’s best wrestler on Saturday in Huntsville. (Photo taken by Joe Medley)

Weaver’s J.D. Johannson along with Weaver Coach Andy Fulmer raise arms to the cheering crowd at Weaver following Johannson won the pin that sealed the Bearcats their second state wrestling title in a row in the span of two years on Saturday at the Huntsville’s Von Braun Center.