Father Ryan's King near four titles in four wrestling weight classes

FRANKLIN — Father Ryan senior Eli King knows about the history he can make Saturday night in the TSSAA's State Wrestling Championships.

It's not something he's trying to think about. When he does, the emotions start to get the better of him.

King can become Father Ryan's first four-time state champion with a win over Montgomery Bell Academy's Bryce Wittman in the Division II 145-pound title match at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center.

The championship finals begin at 5 p.m.

"It would be something special," King said. "I don't even like thinking about it, because I get so emotional about it and nervous about it.

"It's something, really, really cool."

King defeated Battle Ground Academy's Connor Mitchell by technical fall and pinned McCallie's Thomas Sell in 1:05 to reach the final. King has continued his aggressive starts, charging his opponent at the start and getting quick takedowns.

"My dad always told me, 'First takedown wins,'" King said.

King's first three titles have come in three different weight classes — 106, 132 and 138.

There have been 13 wrestlers in Tennessee win at least four state consecutive state titles. Two have won five straight.

However, 12 of those 13 competed for Chattanooga area schools. Former MBA standout Phillip Simpson is the only Nashville area four-time state champion.

"Eli is a kid that has wrestled since he was 5 years old," said Father Ryan coach Pat Simpson, who is Phillip Simpson's uncle. "His dad has taken him everywhere. The reason he is so good is because he has put in the work."

Bradley Central's Knox Fuller can also win his fourth title if he beats Soddy-Daisy's Tony Wilson in the Class AAA 145-pound final.

King is one of 46 wrestlers from the Nashville area who qualified for Saturday's title matches. That includes 13 in Class AAA, 12 in Division II, eight in Class A/AA and 13 in the girls division.

Pat Simpson was honored prior to the semifinals for being named the National Wrestling Coaches Association's national coach of the year. He is the second from Tennessee to receive the honor.

Father Ryan leads the Division II team score with 184 points. McCallie is in second with 153.5. Bradley Central leads Class AAA with 204 points — 71 more than second-place Cleveland. PIgeon Forge leads Class A/AA with 116.5 points — 32.5 more than Hixson. And  Northwest leads the girls division with 85 points — 43.5 more than second-place William Blount.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 and tkreager@tennessean or @Kreager.