Five area wrestlers dominate their way into TSSAA state finals
FRANKLIN -- The five Rutherford County wrestlers who will vie for state championships not only have ruled the roost, but they run the gamut.
From two undefeated defending state champions to an eighth-grader, the five of them bid for the ultimate prize Saturday night at the Williamson County Expo Center.
The finals begin at 5 p.m. after consolation brackets will be held during the early part of the day.
Two-time state champion Nick Boykin (285 pounds) of Riverdale won his 139th straight match, dominating his opponent before pinning him after two minutes and 33 seconds. His first three matches were all by pins in the opening minute.
He'll wrestle Wilson Central's Michael Kramer in the final.
"I've been down this road before and it's always a fun one," Boykin said. "Just go out there and execute and it should be fun."
Blackman's Matt Sells (160) is also a defending state champion looking complete an undefeated season on Saturday. He won his semifinal Friday night by a 9-1 major decision as his opponent was deducted multiple points for stalling.
"I just knew if kept the pace up and do what I do, I could beat him," Sells said. "I just wanted to get that major to seal the deal."
Sells will wrestle Bradley Central's Caleb Adkins in the final.
"This year, there have been some pretty good guys in the top half (of the bracket) with me," he said. "I feel good right now and I'm just looking forward to wrestling in the finals."
Sells' teammate, Landon Fowler (152), is also in the finals. He pinned Beech's Trevor Rippy, who won the state title last year at 145.
Fowler had to wait a few minutes while a previous match went overtime.
"I just prepared myself," Fowler said, "and thought about what I wanted to do during the match."
Siegel's Christian Salter (182) won his semifinal match with a major decision over Knoxville Halls' Brent Buckman, 14-5. He also won his quarterfinal match 21-4.
"That's what I wanted," Salter said. "I wanted to make sure he couldn't catch me, and I wanted to make sure I dominated. That's been my goal the entire year."
Eagleville eighth-grader Wyatt McLemore (113) won his semifinal match and will wrestle Forrest's Jeffery Gross in the final, a wrestler he has lost to three times this season.
After receiving a first-round bye, he has won both his matches by major decision.
"As an eighth-grader," McLemore said, "I'm pretty stoked. I'm been working hard all year. Hopefully, I can get some revenge on him, but I've been working all year for this."
