Best High School Program in Metro Nashville

[shaner10]

Who has the best High School wrestling program in Metro Nashville Public Schools? In recent years it appears that metro public schools have declined drastically in wrestling. From what I'm told some metro schools were pretty good in the past, 80s-90s if I was told correctly. I'm told schools such as McGavock and Overton had some pretty good teams in the past. Why the drop off if that's accurate? I know there aren't any youth clubs in the Davidson Co area with the exception of the Catholics. Could this be contributing? It seems that many schools could be competitive with the amount of kids enrolled. Is it a lack of interest, support? I'm just curious and would like others input. I know that some small private schools such as DCA and Goodpasture have started programs and I hope they do well. What would it take to get public schools back to competing?

[WrestlingGod]

It all starts with successful feeder programs and youth programs. That's the foundation needed to build on. Not many metro schools have large, successful middle school or youth programs. If I had to pick a metro school I thought was a level above the rest I'd pick Overton. I've known the Gabriels for many years and they're two of the best coaches I've ever met. Ralph and Jim have always been able to take young wrestlers who don't know much and turn them into serious contenders by the time they're done.

[shaner10]

I agree. Feeder programs are key to successful high school programs. It seems that most counties throughout the state have feeder programs. I wonder why this isn't the case for Davidson Co and Metro Schools. I feel a club would draw some interest in the area.

[eaglemom40]

This past school year Overton won district titles in every sport...I believe....and as far as metro goes as a whole..some of the problem is with the private schools recruiting the good athletic kids. Not looking for a fight, just an honest statement.

[WrestlingGod]

This past school year Overton won district titles in every sport...I believe....and as far as metro goes as a whole..some of the problem is with the private schools recruiting the good athletic kids. Not looking for a fight, just an honest statement.

It starts with the feeder programs. Cleveland, Soddy, and Bradley sit close to Baylor yet all four have very strong successful teams all due to strong youth and middle school teams. Same in middle TN, Franklin, Ravenwood and Indy sit near Father Ryan but strong youth and middle school feeder programs have led to high school success.

[cbg]

Successful high school athletic programs have a minimum of 3 things in common:

1.  A very good head coach that knows how to motivate

2.  The full support of the school administration

3.  Great feeder program with a coach that demands proper fundamentals from the athletes

 

What I see out of MNPS is teachers being hired with zero regard to athletics or any other extracurricular activities.  Everyone knows that it is not easy but you can find people that are good in the classroom & the athletic field.  The fact of the matter is that most very successful coaches are also very good academic educators because it's all about the kids.  I don't see anything changing with MNPS in the near future.  If a great coach falls into their lap they may or may not hire them but they will not make the extra effort to seek out a great coach. 

Edited August 3, 2014 by cbg

[nununu]

Hands down best Metro Wrestling Team consistently is Overton.  Coach Gabriel has been doing this for many years.  After that is a toss up.  McGavock has been good recently, Hunters Lane, Antioch, and Cane Ridge have been competitive.  Looking at Individual State results, it would be Overton, Antioch, McGavock.  True with the feeders.  Look for Hillsboro to get better soon.  With their feeder school having a good coach, and a new coach who truly cares about the sport.  In a couple of years they will be competitive.  One of the biggest problems with Metro is that kids opt for the Football coach's talk and don't come out after middle school.  Most have grandeur dreams of being an NFL or NBA star, but they only stand 5'4" and weigh 120 lbs.  That is what we fight against, a lot of these kids don't like to hurt, and we know wrestling is about pain. 

FYI-Hillsboro's new coach is Chris Murray, former Antioch assistant. 

[bigchief]

You forget East Nashville Magnet. They have placed in the state duals every year for the last 10 years and have had a state champ and runner ups also.

[WrestlingGod]

You forget East Nashville Magnet. They have placed in the state duals every year for the last 10 years and have had a state champ and runner ups also.

That's incorrect. Edited August 4, 2014 by WrestlingGod

[bigchief]

They did miss  one year from the duals in the last 10 correct. We can agree to disagree that making the state means placing. Everything else is 100% correct. Even with that one miss, their record far exceeds any other school in Metro in the last 10 years.

[WrestlingGod]

They did miss one year from the duals in the last 10 correct. We can agree to disagree that making the state means placing. Everything else is 100% correct. Even with that one miss, their record far exceeds any other school in Metro in the last 10 years.

Well they haven't even had the small school state dual tournament for 10 years. I think this past year was year number 4, and even then, they didn't place. However, say you were correct and they HAD placed every year for the last 10 years (which again, they have not) Overton is still the best metro program.

[bigchief]

Wrestling God, you embarrass yourself with your lack of knowledge. This year will be the 11th straight year for the small schools state duals meet.

 

Not sure where you get 4 years. East was 3rd in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and runner-up in 2010. All before appparenty you even knew the tournament existed (in the last four years).

 

10 medalists also. One state champ. (Antonio Boyd). Two runners-up.

 

If you are going to try to call someone out, at least have correct information.

As I said, we can agree to disagree on the semantics of "placing". They qualified for the state duals 7 of the last 8 years. Did Overton?