In 2001, Smiths Station High School Wrestling began competition in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's 6A classification. Coach James McManus and Sgt Major Kenneth Waltz organized the first team with the help of several interested and dedicated parents including current booster club president Gil Milligan. The team was coached by Sgt Major Waltz and sent five Panthers to the AHSAA State
Tournament. The 2008-09 season brought several changes to the program including the addition of Coach Tommy Sanders. Coach Sanders with the help of Sgt Major Waltz and Assistant Coach Robert Peterson led the Panthers to a 28-7 team record. The team also had two 1st place team dual finishes, one 2nd place team dual finish and sent a team record seven wrestlers to the state tournament. The 2009-10 season brought greater success. In only Coach Sanders' second season at the helm the Panthers improved to a 33-2 team record. The team also had three 1st place team dual championships, sent six wrestlers to the state tournament in which two wrestlers made team history by placing. took 3rd place at 112 lbs. to become the first panther to win a AHSAA 6A State Championship medal and Andrew Wilkins (Jr.) finished in 4th place in the 119 lb. weight class to become the second panther to bring home a medal. The 2010-11 panthers have been working hard during the off-season in the weight room and at several camps. The panthers will be a young team but with several state qualifiers returning and a lot of hard working wrestlers from last seasons JV team coming in to fill some voids. So it is time for the bodies to hit the floor! Let's Go PANTHERS!
