HIGH SCHOOL

Eleven area wrestlers still alive for Class AAA state title

Kenneth Schott
For The DNJ
Christian Salter of Siegel wrestles Antonio Carter of Rossview at the 2017 Wrestling State Championships Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 in Franklin, Tenn.

FRANKLIN – Eleven Rutherford County Class AAA wrestlers still have a chance to win gold medals after the first day of the TSSAA State Individual Wrestling tournament, held at Williamson Ag & Expo Center Thursday.

There were 35 Class AAA wrestlers who reached the state.

Out of the 11 who are still alive in the championship bracket, three are from Stewarts Creek, three from Blackman and two are from Riverdale.

Two are defending state champions (Riverdale's Nick Boykin, Blackman's Matthew Sells) and two others have placed in the top five in state competition before.

The wrestlers who won their first two matches will compete in the quarterfinals and semifinals Friday and the championship matches in all the weight classes will be Saturday.

Two-time state champion Boykin (285) won his first two matches – Patrick Guider of Hunter’s Lane and Tyler Varnadore of McMinn County -- with quick pins that totaled just 64 seconds.

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Sells (160), who also won the state last season, pinned his first opponent, Tennessee High’s Will Poore, and defeated Dylan Quinn of Mount Juliet 18-4.

Stewarts Creek wrestlers who won their first two matches include Carson Helton (126), Gabe Rogers (132) and Jason Chambers (145).

“We’re pretty excited,” said Stewarts Creek coach Mark Gonyea. “The boys are wrestling pretty solid right now.”

Helton, a senior, won two matches by points, defeating Cole Klingensmith of Summit 6-1 and Austin Sauls of William Blount 8-2. He said the third period was the toughest.

Michael Kramer of Wilson Central wrestles Jamil Hughes of Blackman at the 2017 Wrestling State Championships Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 in Franklin, Tenn.

“You’re at that point, and you’re like, ‘I’m tired and I don’t want to give anymore,’ but you’ve just go to keep going,” he said.

In addition to Sells, Blackman’s three state contenders included Daniel Bradford (132) and Landon Fowler (152).

Fowler finished fifth in the state last year and is looking for a stronger finish this season.

“They’ve worked hard,” said Blackman coach Ronnie Bray. “We’ve got to take it one match at a time. You keep your head on straight and work hard, and good things will happen for you.”

Boykin’s Riverdale teammate who won his first two matches was David Medina, in the 113 weight class. Medina, a freshman, placed fifth in the New Mexico state wrestling last season as an eighth grader.

“We’ve got high hopes for these guys,” said Riverdale coach Shawn Jones. “They’re wrestling on point. They’re peaking at the right time.”

Oakland’s Branson Boone (220), Siegel’s Christian Salter (182) and Smyrna’s Cameron Henderson (126) were the other AAA contenders who won their first two matches in their weight classes.

Several area wrestlers lost their first matches but still can place by winning in the consolation bracket.

In the 106-pound weight class, Blackman’s Evan Smart and Stewarts Creek’s Kenny Harless won in the consolation bracket.

Oakland’s Andrew Farrar lost his first match and beat Hardin Valley’s Tyler Hemry in the consolation bracket in the 132-pound weight class. Teammate Sean Eastman stayed alive in the 138-pound weight class. Oakland’s Tekerius Green won in the 170-pound class after losing a match.

Stewarts Creek’s Eli Haynes won a match in the consolation bracket in the 152 class. Teammate Levi Silvers won in the 160 class after losing his first match. Stewarts Creek’s Justin Chambers won by forfeit in the consolation bracket in the 170 class after losing his first match.

Smyrna’s Joshua Rowland won in the 182 consolation class. Smyrna’s Delantay Isaac won a consolation match in the 195 class.

The A/AA state matches begin Friday.

Christian Salter of Siegel wrestles Antonio Carter of Rossview at the 2017 Wrestling State Championships Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 in Franklin, Tenn.