Riverdale's Nick Boykin, Blackman's Matthew Sells win state wrestling titles

FRANKLIN — Riverdale senior Nick Boykin delayed a trip to Colorado for Olympic training and competed in his final high school wrestling season for one reason.

Boykin made that decision pay off Saturday at the TSSAA Individual State Wrestling Championships at Williamson Ag & Expo Center.

The 285-pounder captured his third consecutive Class AAA state championship and continued setting records, winning a major decision over Wilson Central's Michael Kramer (14-4) in a matchup of unbeaten wrestlers.

Rutherford County also had a champion in the 160-pound division, as Blackman's Matthew Sells captured his second title in a row.

"That's why I came back," said Boykin, who finished 51-0 this season and won his 140th consecutive match. "To be a three-time state champion and keep breaking records."

It was only the third match this season Boykin hasn't pinned his opponent, but the match was never in doubt, wearing down Kramer early.

"To win by (10) points in the state finals is still impressive," he said. "I feel good. All I was looking for was a 'W.'"

Sells came from 3-1 behind to capture three quick points, holding off Bradley Central's Caleb Adkins 4-3.

"It feels great," said Sells, who earned the Blaze's third straight 160 state title. "I'm Blackman's first two-time state champion, and that's been a goal of mine my whole career."

Sells fell behind when taken down by Adkins early in the match. He responded late, however, and dominated the third period.

"That's the first time I have been taken down this year," Sells said. "I knew I had to keep coming at him."

Blackman sophomore Landon Fowler finished runner-up in the 152-pound division, falling 6-3 to Bradley Central's Austin Mathews.

Trailing 5-2, Fowler was close to pinning his opponent before succumbing in points.

"I wasn't able to get him over," said Fowler, who also medaled as an eighth-grader at Eagleville. "He's a good wrestler."

Siegel junior Christian Salter was runner-up in the 182-pound division, falling 6-0 to Knox Gibbs' Hunter Fortner. It was Salter's first medal.

"It was pretty dominant (road to the finals) ... I don't know what happened in the finals," said Salter, who wore the No. 22 sewed on his uniform, in honor of former teammate Mason Loupe, who died from an accidental gunshot wound in September 2015. "It was disappointing to lose, but more because I know he was watching. He was a brother to me."

Eagleville's Wyatt McLemore also fell in points, dropping a 2-0 decision to Forrest's Jeff Gross in the 133-pound final in Class A/AA.

Five other area wrestlers earned medals (top six finishes).

Blackman's Daniel Bradford won a 4-0 decision over Knox Halls' Chase Brown to capture third in the 132-pound division. Smyrna's Cameron Henderson pinned Bearden's Kyle Burns in 31 seconds to place fifth in the 126-pound division.

Stewarts Creek's Gabe Rogers medaled in the 132-pound division, finishing sixth.

Stewarts Creek had two wrestlers medal, as Jaylen James finished sixth in the 120-pound division and Jason Chambers took sixth in the 145-pound division.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.