bbb

It was 1968 and a slightly-built Chicago area 8th grader named David Stoika was picked on quite a bit by bigger, older boys. Good friend Gary Herman had the solution to Stoika’s problem as he convinced the school’s physical education teacher to teach a class on amateur wrestling. Stoika took to the sport right away and it changed his life. Learning single leg takedowns, pinning combinations and how to ride ‘em tough on top, Stoika didn’t become a smaller version of two-time Tennessee state champ Shazzon Bradley overnight, (more on him later), but was able to stand his ground against the school bullies. His wrestling knowledge led to a 33-22-8 varsity record while wrestling four years at Oak Lawn High School in Chigago with a highlight of once beating a teammate and future Illinois state champ in a challenge match to earn to top spot on the varsity squad. Today’s Region 4-AAA Tourney: Fast forward nearly 50 years to today’s Region 4-AAA traditional tourney at East Hamilton and that former 8th grader is still involved in man’s oldest sport as he coaches the McMinn County wrestlers with hopes of having a few Cherokee grapplers finish in the top four and qualify for next weekend’s TSSAA D-I AAA state tournament in Franklin. His Final Season: McMinn County has seeded wrestlers in No.4 Gage Boggess at 120 pounds and No.3 Tyler Varnadore at 285 and Stoika believes those two and possibly others can qualify for the state tourney. It’s another opportunity to sit in the coaches chair mat side today at the region tourney and hopefully next weekend at the 57th annual state For a coach who, for most of his 33 seasons, has had no feeder system from elementary or middle schools to the high school nor a county-wide kids club, Stoika can look back on his coaching career with humility and pride as he has coached the right way, taught his wrestlers the basics and more with good success. He retires with 304 dual wins (275 at McMinn County and 29 as junior high head coach in Iowa), a handful of McMinn Duals titles, an in-season traditional tourney title (CCS Charger Invite in 2013), sportsmanship awards and a handful of Cherokees who wrestled in the state tournament. “Recording my 300th coaching win this season, receiving the Team Sportsmanship Award at last month’s Mountain Top Tourney at Sewanee-St.Andrews and also winning the CCS traditional tourney a couple of years ago are a few of my coaching highlights,†said coach Stoika who also as father-coach sat mat side as son Brian won a match in the state tournament a few years ago. Another highlight would be coaching a mountain of a wrestler in Shazzon Bradley to state titles in 1987 and 1988. Other top Cherokee wrestlers have been Todd Humbert (4x region finalist) and two-time state qualifier Nathan Sloan. “Coach Stoika and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye on strategy and how to wrestle different guys as I was pretty stubborn and bull-headed as a high school kid from the country,†said Bradley with a laugh. “But I knew he had my best interest in mind and once I decided to do things his way things worked out well for me.†Coach Stoika commented, “Shazzon had some tough opponents at heavyweight his junior year, including Gary King from Howard High School. “Shazzon beat King at the McCalliie tournament, while King won the re-match at the Central Invitational, but Shazzon claimed the third and most important match beating King in the state finals.†Bradley applauds his former coach for setting him on the right path. “First of all coach Stoika is a Christian man and if it wasn’t for him and the way he has lived his life I wouldn’t be a Christian today and going to heaven,†Bradley stated. Bradley commented that coach Stoika emphasized the importance of preparation, hard work and training and not just relying on physical strength to win matches. “Coach Stoika lives his life by example and taught me how to me a man. He is a great man, just look at all the lives of young men he has touched over all these years.†Today, coach Stoika, wearing his usual dress shirt and tie (“I treat the sport of wrestling with respect and feel I should be dressed accordinglyâ€), will instruct, encourage and cheer on his wrestlers as he has for thirtysomething years with the hopes of proudly seeing a few on the medal stand late this afternoon to give the long time history teacher one more trip to the state tourney before saying good bye. -30-

Chattanooga Christian School coach Josh Craft won an individual state title as a junior at East Ridge and now he has led CCS to a team title Led by nine medalists, including three champions, CCS finished with 159 points in winning the Mountain Top Invitational held Saturday at St,Andrews-Sewanee School, while Shelbyville was second (118.5) and Boyd Buchanan third (99) in the 13-team field. CCS champions were Justin Wheeler (OW), George Hutchenson and Alex Hundley. Runner-sup finishers were Ethan Madaris, Josh Elliot, Lochlan Brandt and Adam Truelove, while Nathan Connor took third and Jeff Brown finished fourth "Our guys wrestled well and it is great to win the program's first tournament championship," aaid coach Craft. Outstanding Wrestler: Justin Wheeler (CCS) Best Match: 152 Justin Wheeler (CCS) dec. Zane Wheeler (Boyd Buchanan), 2-1 in the finals Brian McDowell Memorial Sportsmanship Award: McMinn County Team Standings 1. Chattanooga Christian School 159.00 2. Shelbyville 118.50 3. Boyd Buchannon 99.00 4. Franklin Road Academy 93.00 5. Battle Ground Academy 85.50 6. McMinn County 83.00 7. Whitwell 72.00 8. (tie)Sale Creek 50.00 8. (tie) Sequatchie County 50.00 10. Warren County 48.00 11. Tyner 47.00 12. Franklin County 41.00 13. St Andrews Sewanee 29.00 Tournament Medalists Weight: 106 1st: Ethan Rhoden, Franklin Road Academy 2nd: Ethan Madaris, Chattanooga Christian School 3rd: Hunter Swanson, Tyner 4th: Dominick Nesbitt, Battle Ground Academy Weight: 113 1st: Rhett Birdsong, Shelbyville 2nd: Josh Elliot, Chattanooga Christian School 3rd: Amado Gomez, Whitwell 4th: Dylan Sanders, Franklin County Weight: 120 1st: Gage Boggess, McMinn County 2nd: Chris Romanelli, Franklin Road Academy 3rd: Paxton Albright, Sequatchie County 4th: Jake Brown, Battle Ground Academy Weight: 126 1st: Jay Brock, Sequatchie County 2nd: Alexander Coker, Boyd Buchannon 3rd: Nathan Connor, Chattanooga Christian School 3th: Gage Swanson, Tyner Weight: 132 1st: Garrett Hall, McMinn County 2nd: Monte Hendricks, Shelbyville 3rd: Zach McCullough, Battle Ground Academy 4th: Dominick Coker, Boyd Buchannon Weight: 138 1st: Bo Williams, Shelbyville 2nd: Lachlan Brandt, Chattanooga Christian School 3rd: Bryce Flynn, McMinn County 4th: Bailey McLean, St Andrews Sewanee Weight: 145 1st: Conner Mitchell, Battle Ground Academy 2nd: Haustin Parsons, Shelbyville 3rd: Cameron Weaver, Sequatchie County 4th: Jeff Brown, Chattanooga Christian School Weight: 152 1st: Justin Wheeler, Chattanooga Christian School (OW) 2nd: Zane Williams, Boyd Buchannon 3rd: Vaden Hines, Franklin County 4th: Kolten Grimsley, Battle Ground Academy Weight: 160 1st: George Hutchenson, Chattanooga Christian School 2nd: Cam Frankfather, Franklin Road Academy 3rd: Jared Lamar, Sale Creek 4th: Gavin Lee, Sequatchie County Weight: 170 1st: Alex Hundley, Chattanooga Christian School 2nd: Warner Ashworth, Whitwell 3rd: Christian Taylor, St Andrews Sewanee 4th: Mario Hernandez, Warren County Weight: 182 1st: Kell Stott, Boyd Buchannon 2nd: Adam Truelove, Chattanooga Christian School 3rd: Teddy Holloway, Battle Ground Academy 4th: Daniel Mikel, Whitwell Weight: 195 1st: Michael Salisbury, Shelbyville 2nd: Will Watkins, Boyd Buchannon 3rd: Will Carter, Whitwell 4th: Chase Poole, Sale Creek Weight: 220 1st: Dylan Lamar, Sale Creek 2nd: TD Argo, Whitwell 3rd: Shaylan Bailey, Tyner 4th: Frank Watts, Shelbyville Weight: 285 1st: Tymon Mitchell, Franklin Road Academy 2nd: Tyler Varnadore, McMinn County 3rd: Jake Mathis, Franklin County 4th: Keyshawn Conaway, Warren County contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Retiring McMinn County wrestling coach David Stoika received a late Christmas present from his wrestlers Wednesday night as the Cherokees defeated host Farragut 54-18 and Knoxville Carter 54-12 to give coach Stoika his 300th and 301st career wins. The Cherokees compete in the Mountain Top tournament at St.Andrews-Sewanee Saturday and have eight dual matches remaining on the schedule, including the final home matches February 2 with Sale Creek and Tyner. : McMInn County 54, Farragut 18 106 - Tyler McKeefery (F) won by forfeit 113 - Cabrin Viox (F) won by forfeit 120 - Dylan Ricker (M) won by forfeit 126 - double forfeit 132 - Garrett Hall (M) won by forfeit 138 - Bryce Flynn (M) won by forfeit 145 - Graydon Colbaugh (M) won by forfeit 152 - Chase Walker (F) won by forfeit. 160 - Hazen Henry (M) pinned Ian Farr (F), 1:49 170 - Matthew Gossett (M) pinned Alan Guillen (F), 1:57 182 - Jacob LaBeau (M) won by forfeit 195 - Dylan Price (M) pinned Jake Yovino (F), :25 220 - double forfeit 285 - Tyler Varnadore (M) pinned David Acton (F), :46. McMinn County 54, Carter 12. 106 - double forfeit 113 - double forfiet 120 - double forfeit 126 - Dylan Ricker (M) won by forfeit 132 - Garrett Hall (M) won by forfeit 138 - Bryce Flynn (M) won by forfeit 145 - Graydon Colbaugh (M) pinned Daylin Farrell ©, 4:45 152 - Kobe Jenkins © won by forfeit 160 - Hazen Henry (M) won by forfeit 170 - Matthew Gossett (M) won by forfeit 182 - Jacob LaBeau (M) won by forfeit 195 - Dylan Price (M) won by forfeit 220 - Cyrus Allen © won by forfeit 285 - Tyler Varnadore (M) pinned Zac Lee ©, :36.

A pair of wrestling coaches with more than 50 years dedicated to the sport, a national award-winning sports writer, a top level official and an important contributor to wrestling along with an Outstanding American honoree make up the Class of 2016 for the Tennessee Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame dinner Saturday August 20 at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club. The six inductees are Paul Schulz (sports writer), Bruce Brye (contributor), David Heffington (official), Ethan Reeve (coach), Roger Vandergriff (coach) and Allan Jones who will receive the Outstanding American award The reception is 5:30 p.m. followed by the induction dinner at 7.Tickets are $55. If You Are Going: Tickets: $55 Reservation Deadline: Monday Aug. 15 Event: Tenn. Chapter National Wrestling HOF Dinner Date: Sat. August 20 Place: Chattanooga Golf and Country Club – 1511 Riverview Road Time: 5:30 p.m. – reception … 7 p.m. – induction dinner Make Payable To: National Wrestling Hall of Fame Send Checks To: NWHOF Tenn. Chapter 109 Mansker Park Drive Hendersonville, Tenn. 37075

MURFREESBORO - One can call it “Red Wednesday†at Old Fort Park Tennis Complex as the Baylor boys tennis team won their first state title in 19 years with a 4-2 win against defending champion Memphis University School here today. Two hours earlier the Baylor girls registered a 6-peat (6 straight titles, 2011-2016) with a 4-0 victory of Hutchison in a Memphis-Chattanooga battle in boys and girls finals. Double Your Pleasure: It’s also the first time since 1996 that both Baylor programs won tennis championships in the same year and the third time overall also taking both trophies home in 1993 and this year. “Coming into the season, we knew we had a good shot at winning the state title and we worked hard all season,†said Baylor boys coach Philip Johnson. “It’s great for the guys to get a title after all the hard work the past few years.†Led by captains Patrick Toomey and Matthew Elias, the Red Raiders captured the doubles point then gained the necessary three singles wins for the championship. “This (winning the state championship) is the greatest feeling I have ever had on a tennis court,†said Toomey who is also successful in the classroom with a 3.9 GPS and a member of National Honor Society and is headed to Michigan in the fall. Never, Never Quit: “Elias was a B-teamer for us the past three years, but worked real hard and earned a spot at No.6 singles this year and great that he won his match today in his final high school match,†said coach Johnson. “We knew at the start of the season we had a real shot at winning the state championship which really helped us bond together,†said Elias who has a 3.88 GPA, scored 32 on the ACT, and a member of the National Honor Society and Cum Laude. Baylor 4, MUS 0 Doubles (Baylor wins the team point) 1 Andres Carro-Frederick Danielson (MUS) def. Pat Toomey-Alec Kadrie, 8-4 2. Cooper Long-Ryan Toomey (Bay) def. Andrew Douglas-Kirk Ruaro, 8-2 3. Brandon Kali-Ethan Palisoc (Bay) def. Weston Touliatos-Jack Powell, 8-4 Singles 3 Cooper Long (Bay) def. Andrew Douglass, 6-4, 6-1 4 Brandon Kali (Bay) def. Sloan Schneiter, 6-1, 6-0 6 Matthew Elias (Bay) def. Jack Powell, 6-2, 6-3 ** Today's Team Champions Girls D-II AA - Baylor . has won 6 in a row ... 10 overall D-II A Knox Webb .. has won 7 in a row . 13 overall D-I A-AA - Knox Catholic... also won it all in 2008 and 2014 D-I AAA - Brentwood ... beat 5-time defending state champ Ravenwood Boys D-II AA Baylor wins for first time in 19 years .... both teams win together first time since 1996 D-II A - USJ .. last won it in 2009 ... runner-up in 2013-14-15 D-I A-AA - Lipscomb Academy - first title since 1972 with No.1 player Gary Dunn .. who won 3 singles and 2 dbles in five years and led Lipscomb to titles in 1969-70-72 . current coach is Lynn Griffith from Chattanooga who played No.1 at Tyner graduating in 1972 ... D-I AAA - Tenn. Hi .. 4-peat contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Everything we do, conditioning, competing in tournaments such as DecoTurf and the Chattanooga Rotary points to winning the state and we did that again this year.†--- Baylor Girls Tennis Coach Dustin Kane MURFREESBORO - Another state tourney for the Baylor School girls and another state championship trophy. The Red Raiders posted its second, 4-0, win in two days with a whitewash of Hutchison in today’s D-II AA final at the Old Fort Park Tennis Complex for the programs sixth straight state title and 10th overall. “We knew we were the prohibitive favorite coming into Spring Fling and I feel we were well prepared for the pressure of having a big bulls eye on our backs,†said Baylor coach Dustin Kane. “We never take anything for granted and have worked since early August for this week. “it’s great to win DecoTurf which is a strong tournament, but we use that event as a measuring stick on where we are at that time of the season. Everything we do, conditioning, competing in tournaments such as DecoTurf and the Chattanooga Rotary points to winning the state and we did that again this year.†Baylor won the doubles point and then added singles wins by No.2 Karolina Hadaka, No.3 Presley Thomas and No.5 Ashton Jenne to secure the 4-0 victory. Need a Larger Trophy Case: Baylor athletics director Thad Lepcio might have to call drama department and have the students bring out the hammer and nails and build an extention to the trophy case for newest hardware. Last State Finals Loss: GPS defeated Baylor, 4-3, in 2010 Most Girls Titles: Knox Webb has won 13 (won earlier today) followed by Baylor with 10, GPS 9 and Chattanooga Christian with 8. Consecutive Wins: Knox Webb has won 7 in a row, followed by Baylor with 6 and Ravenwood with 6. Baylor 4, Hutchison 0 Doubles 1 Drew Hawkins-Lauren Carelli (Bay) def. Catherine Owen-Caroline Hastings, 8-6 Karolina Hakala-Lilly Mooney (Bay) def. Anne Grinder-Eliza Sims, 8-1 Singles 2 Karolina Hakala (Bay) def. Grace Garrott, 6-, 6-0 3 Presley Thomas (Bay) Grace Ann Dunavant, 6-4, 6-3’ 5 Ashton Jenne (Bay) Meggy Muller, 6-1, 6-0 contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

It’s the senior-laden, Baylor 2014 team vs. a young, talented Red Raider 2016 team with four starters back from the 2015 championship squad. Drew Hawkins and Ashton Jenne played on both squads. Both teams have multiple state titles on their resume and victories at DecoTurf and Chattanooga Rotary. It makes for good conversation so let’s look at the two squads Baylor 2014 Baylor 2016 1 Samantha Caswell (Sr.) Drew Hawkins (Jr.) 2 Harper Caswell (Sr.) Karolina Hadaka (So.) 3 McCall Morgan Sr.) Presley Thomas (So.) 4 Maggie Crumbliss (Sr.) Lauren Carelli (So.) 5 Drew Hawkins (Fr.) Ashton Jenne (Jr.) 6 Ashton Jenne (Fr.) Lilly Mooney (So.) Keys to the Win: No question the doubles point is crucial ... both teams are strong in doubles and the battle for that point will be exciting and make for great tennis. The 2014 squad - with three seniors now playing college tennis – should win the doubles point and then rely on the seniors to get three more team points in singles. This year’s squad really needs the doubles point and gain a couple of upsets in “toss up†matches in the top four, plus a win in the bottom half. Without the doubles point, upsets are a necessity for victory. Followers of Baylor tennis can determine for themselves the toss up matches and which ones are good selections in the win column 2014 might feel pressure to beat their younger counterpart and 2014 should come out firing and would love to find their place in Baylor tennis history with a win. One could sell tickets for this one. Prediction: The 2014 squad should win 4-3. contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Prep Tennis: Spring Fling XXIII: Baylor Girls, Notre Dame Girls Set To Defend State titles Quick Facts - Chattanooga Teams Undefeated Baylor girls and Notre Dame girls open defense of their state tennis championships today as Spring Fling XXIII opens with contests in all five sports – tennis, baseball, softball, soccer and the conclusion of the decathlon. Seven Chattanooga tennis teams are in action today at Old Fort Park highlighted by McCallie and Baylor at noon EDT. Notre Dame boys, GPS and East Hamilton also play semifinal matches today. Undefeated East Hamilton (18-0) is in its first appearance in D-I AAA, while the other six local teams are veterans of the state event. EH takes on Houston at 2 p.m. For brackets of all divisions: brackets/tssaa.org If You Are Going: May 24-27. Location: Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro First Matches Tues. May 24 - D-II AA and D-II A Girls start at 10 a.m. EDT Tickets: $10 per day Parking: $5 per day Defending Champions: Girls D-I A-AA – Notre Dame D-I AAA - Ravenwood D-II A – Knox. Webb D-II AA – Baylor Boys D-I A-AA – Knox Catholic D-I AAA – Tennessee High D-II A - Knox Webb D-II AA - MUS 2016 Girls Teams – Quick Facts Baylor (13-0) Coach: Dustin Kane (94-8, 7th year) State Semis Match: 10 a.m.- Tues. May 24 vs. Harpeth Hal : Last State Title: 2015 (has won 2011-2015) State Titles: 9; 1993-96-99-2000 2011-12-13-14-15 2016: 7th straight trip to Spring Fling Did You Know: Dustin played in Spring Fling in 1998 … reaching the semis for East Ridge … he and his dad, Kevin, have finished 7th in USTA national father-son doubles GPS Coach: Sue Bartlett State Semis Match: 10 a.m. – Tues. May 24 vs. Hutchison Last State Title: 2010 State Titles: 11; 1971-73-74-82-85-96-98-2006-07-08-10 2016: 13th straight trip to Spring Fling Did You Know: Coach Bartlett has won a world team gold ball with Great Britain in 2009 … Both she and assistant coach Meg Bandy have daughters who have won individual state titles; Claire Bartlett won state singles in 2006-07-08 and Maddox Bandy won doubles in 2015. Notre Dame Coach: Nancy Fox: (4th year) State Semis Match: Tuesday May 24 vs Knox Catholic, 2 p.m. Last State Title: 2015 State Titles (2): 2012-15 2016: 5th Straight trip to Spring Fling Did You Know?: Coach Fox also led the Irish to the 1995 state AA softball title East Hamilton (18-0) Coach: Michael Jackson State Semis Match: Tuesday May 24 vs. Houston, 2 pm. EDT Last State Title: None State Titles: None Last Appearance at Spring Fling: first time in AAA Baylor (8-3) Coach: Philip Johnson State Semis Match: Noon – Tues. May 24 vs. McCallie Last State Title: 1997 State Titles: 14 – 1971-73-74-75-79-82-83-86-88-89-90-93-96-97 Did You Know: Coach Johnson won the deciding match (at No.5 singles) in the 1985 NCAA tournament for Georgia and the school’s first men’s tennis title … state high school singles champion for Northwest Whitfield McCallie: Coach: Eric Voges (30th year) State Semis Match: Noon – Tues. May 24 vs. Baylor\ Last State Title: 2009 State Titles: 8 1975-76-91-94-2006-07-08-09 Did You Know: Coach Voges led McCallie to the first Spring Fling title in 1994 … has brought teams to 21 Spring Flings Notre Dame Coach: Nancy Fox (4th year) State Semis Match: 4 p.m. EDT - Tues. May 24 vs. CAK Last State Title: 1964 State Titles: 2; 1963-64 Last Spring Fling: 2010 Did You Know: This is the first year coach Fox has both teams at Spring FlingPrep Tennis: Spring Fling XXIII: Baylor Girls, Notre Dame Girls Set To Defend State titles Quick Facts - Chattanooga Teams Undefeated Baylor girls and Notre Dame girls open defense of their state tennis championships today as Spring Fling XXIII opens with contests in all five sports – tennis, baseball, softball, soccer and the conclusion of the decathlon. Seven Chattanooga tennis teams are in action today at Old Fort Park highlighted by McCallie and Baylor at noon EDT. Notre Dame boys, GPS and East Hamilton also play semifinal matches today. Undefeated East Hamilton (18-0) is in its first appearance in D-I AAA, while the other six local teams are veterans of the state event. EH takes on Houston at 2 p.m. For brackets of all divisions: brackets/tssaa.org If You Are Going: May 24-27. Location: Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro First Matches Tues. May 24 - D-II AA and D-II A Girls start at 10 a.m. EDT Tickets: $10 per day Parking: $5 per day Defending Champions: Girls D-I A-AA – Notre Dame D-I AAA - Ravenwood D-II A – Knox. Webb D-II AA – Baylor Boys D-I A-AA – Knox Catholic D-I AAA – Tennessee High D-II A - Knox Webb D-II AA - MUS 2016 Girls Teams – Quick Facts Baylor (13-0) Coach: Dustin Kane (94-8, 7th year) State Semis Match: 10 a.m.- Tues. May 24 vs. Harpeth Hal : Last State Title: 2015 (has won 2011-2015) State Titles: 9; 1993-96-99-2000 2011-12-13-14-15 2016: 7th straight trip to Spring Fling Did You Know: Dustin played in Spring Fling in 1998 … reaching the semis for East Ridge … he and his dad, Kevin, have finished 7th in USTA national father-son doubles GPS Coach: Sue Bartlett State Semis Match: 10 a.m. – Tues. May 24 vs. Hutchison Last State Title: 2010 State Titles: 11; 1971-73-74-82-85-96-98-2006-07-08-10 2016: 13th straight trip to Spring Fling Did You Know: Coach Bartlett has won a world team gold ball with Great Britain in 2009 … Both she and assistant coach Meg Bandy have daughters who have won individual state titles; Claire Bartlett won state singles in 2006-07-08 and Maddox Bandy won doubles in 2015. Notre Dame Coach: Nancy Fox: (4th year) State Semis Match: Tuesday May 24 vs Knox Catholic, 2 p.m. Last State Title: 2015 State Titles (2): 2012-15 2016: 5th Straight trip to Spring Fling Did You Know?: Coach Fox also led the Irish to the 1995 state AA softball title East Hamilton (18-0) Coach: Michael Jackson State Semis Match: Tuesday May 24 vs. Houston, 2 pm. EDT Last State Title: None State Titles: None Last Appearance at Spring Fling: first time in AAA Baylor (8-3) Coach: Philip Johnson State Semis Match: Noon – Tues. May 24 vs. McCallie Last State Title: 1997 State Titles: 14 – 1971-73-74-75-79-82-83-86-88-89-90-93-96-97 Did You Know: Coach Johnson won the deciding match (at No.5 singles) in the 1985 NCAA tournament for Georgia and the school’s first men’s tennis title … state high school singles champion for Northwest Whitfield McCallie: Coach: Eric Voges (30th year) State Semis Match: Noon – Tues. May 24 vs. Baylor\ Last State Title: 2009 State Titles: 8 1975-76-91-94-2006-07-08-09 Did You Know: Coach Voges led McCallie to the first Spring Fling title in 1994 … has brought teams to 21 Spring Flings Notre Dame Coach: Nancy Fox (4th year) State Semis Match: 4 p.m. EDT - Tues. May 24 vs. CAK Last State Title: 1964 State Titles: 2; 1963-64 Last Spring Fling: 2010 Did You Know: This is the first year coach Fox has both teams at Spring Fling contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

​ Three Spring Fling veterans won region titles Tuesday at The Champions Club during the A-AA Region 3 tennis finals to earn return trips to next week’s state tournament. ​ Hixson Seniors Alex Condra (doubles) and Carl Phillips (singles) and Collegedale’s Matti Sue Nafie (doubles) are making their second trip to the state. ​ Girls Singles: Christina Amos (Boyd Buchanan) defeated Kinsey Anderson (Silverdale) for her first region title and a spot in the state final eight bracket. To help her prepare for her first appearance at Spring Fling she can take the advice of her coach Tara Garner who won two state singles crowns for the Bucs. ​ Boys Singles: Hixson’s Carl Phillips rallied to defeat Daniel Cox (Red Bank), 1-6,6-4, 6-4 for the region championship. Phillips,who played in the state doubles tournament a year ago for the Wildcats, trailed 4-2 in the third set before winning the final four games. ​ Girls Doubles: Collegedale’s Matti Sue Nafie won the region doubles crown as a sophomore in 2014 and is now headed back to the state with a new partner in fellow senior Britton McElroy after they defeated Brittany and Brianna Canty (Brainerd), 7-5, 6-2. ​ “This is their first year playing together and are like sponges soaking up everything I tell them as far as strategy, playing together on the court and communicating throughout the match,†said coach Matt Nafie. ​ “Our goal was to mentally tough throughout the match and not get down on ourselves no matter what,†said Matti Sue. ​ Boys Doubles: Hixson seniors Alex Condra and Richard Vuong defeated Holden McElroy-Colton Lang (Collegedale), 6-0, 6-1. Condra headed back to state for the second straight year as he was state runner-up in singles a year ago. Region 3 A-AA Finas Girls Singles Christina Amos (Boyd Buc) def. Kinsey Anderson (Silverdale), 6-0, 6-1 Boys Singles Carl Phillips (Hixson) def. Daniel Cox (Red Bank), 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 Girls Doubles Matti Sue Nafie/Britton Mcelroy (Collegedale) def. Brianna Canty-Brittany Canty (Brainerd), 7-5, 6-2 Boys Doubles Alex Condra-Richard Vuong (Hixson) def. Holden McElroy-Colton Lang (Collegedale), 6-0, 6-1 ​ Valedictory Speech: Alex Condra’s valedictory speech is titled “Ready or Not†and he gives it Saturday during graduation ceremonies. ​ He can take a page out of his own speech as he and the Wildcats take on Notre Dame Friday in a state quarterfinals match with a berth in the state tournament on the line. ​ “Ready or Notâ€, Condra will be playing in the No.1 singles and doubles spots against the Irish with a chance to play at least one more team match in next week’s state tournament. ​ Good Event: Kudos to Red Bank coach Glen Wagner for a well run tournament for the two days. ​ ​ contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Anyone know of coaches who coached in Spring Fling I (1994) and are still coaching and could take their team to Spring Fling this year sent teams to all previous 22 or most of them? thanks, B.B. Branton william.branton@comcast.net Tennis has 3-4 who were around for SP 1 and still coaches maybe Bill McMahan at Baylor (track)

Anyone know of coaches who coached in Spring Fling I (1994) and are still coaching and could take their team to Spring Fling this year sent teams to all previous 22 or most of them? thanks, B.B. Branton william.branton@comcast.net Tennis has 3-4 maybe Bill McMahan at Baylor (track)

Anyone know of coaches who coached in Spring Fling I (1994) and are still coaching and could take their team to Spring Fling this year sent teams to all previous 22 or most of them? thanks, B.B. Branton william.branton@comcast.net Tennis has 3-4 coaches who have been to all but a couple .. maybe Bill McMahan at Baylor (track)

Anyone know of coaches who coached in Spring Fling I (1994) and are still coaching and could take their team to Spring Fling this year sent teams to all previous 22 or most of them? thanks, B.B. Branton william.branton@comcast.net Tennis has 3-4 maybe Bill McMahan at Baylor (track)

Friday the 13th was a good day for Chattanooga tennis as six schools played for region titles (two against one another) with four winning championships. ​ In AAA at Cookeville, East Hamilton girls won 5-0, while Ooltewah boys lost 4-3. ​ In A-AA, Notre Dame whitewashed Central Magnet in Murfreesboro, 4-0, in both matches and Hixson boys edged Boyd Buchanan, 4-2. ​ AAA - East Hamilton Girls: The Hurricanes improved to 17-0 with a 5-0 win against the host Cavaliers for EH’s first AAA Region 3 title. ​ EH travels to Murfreesboro Oakland next Thursday in the state quarters with the winner advancing to Spring Fling also played in Murfreesboro. ​ A-AA Hixson Boys: The Wildcats (7-2) defeated Boyd Buchanan, 4-2, for its their third straight region crown. Hixson takes on Notre Dame May 19 at The Champions Club ​ Good First Year: Hixson coach Kaitlin Oscai was hired March 4, coached her first varsity match March 14 and has guided the Wildcats to district and region titles. The UTC grad played four years at Soddy Daisy, 2008-2011. ​ Good Four Years: A quartet of Hixson seniors are in their fourth year on varsity and have led the Wildcats to four district and three region titles and two (2014-15) trips to the state tournament. ​ A-AA Notre Dame Boys: The Irish (8-3) defeated Cookeville, 4-0, and host Hixson May 20. Notre Dame beat Hixson earlier in the season. ​ A-AA Notre Dame Girls: The Irish also beat Cookeville, 4-0, and won all matches in straight sets to improve to 12-1 and hosts Collegedale May 19 in the state quarters ... Notre Dame has won region titles four of the last five years (2012-14-15-16) with state titles in 2012 and 2015 ​ * Hixson Boys 4, Boyd Buchanan 2 Singles Jake Harden (BBS) def Alex Condra, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 Carl Phillips (H) def. Joseph Delay, 6-0, 6-0 Richard Wong (H) def. Michael Otto, 6-0, 6-0 Landon Goforth (H) def. Charlie Driver, 6-1, 6-4 Grant Kretchmeirer (BBS) def. Chen Holmes, 6-0, 6-1 Doubles: Carl Phillips-Landon Goforth (H) def. Charlie Driver-Michael Otto, 7-6 (3), 6-0 Record: Hixson: 7-2 ​ * East Hamilton Girls 5, Cookeville 0 Singles Hannah Dattilo (EH) def. Sara Gaw 6-2, 7-5 Sydney Dattilo (EH) def. Caroline McCarter 6-1, 6-4 Meghan Gallups (EH) def. Hudson Taylor 6-2, 7-5 Avalon Langley (EH) def. Emma Cate Jones 6-0, 7-6 (7-4) Audree Duncan (EH) def. Natalie Crooks 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). Order of finish was 2,1,3,4,5. * Notre Dame Girls 4, Central Magnet 0 Singles 1 Sarah Faith Ingell (ND) def. Jordan Berrlos, 7-5, 6-3 2 Mary Margaret Haywood (ND) def. Laurel Tipps, 6-3, 6-4 4 Jessica Moore (ND) def. Sally Smith, 6-2, 6-2 5 Liza Davini (ND) def. Manly Sevier, 7-5, 6-2 Record: Notre Dame: 12-1 * Notre Dame Boys 4, Cookeville 0 Singles 2 Andrew Lisy (ND) def. Chase Owens, 6-1, 6-0 3 Jonathan Polcari (ND) def. Reed Gore, 6-2, 7-5 4 Will Ingell (ND) def. Greyson Gore, 6-3, 7-6 (5) 5 Nick Coronis (ND) def. Cheton Gonda, 6-0, 6-0 Record: ND (8-3) ​ contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net Friday the 13th was a good day for Chattanooga tennis as six schools played for region titles (two against one another) with four winning championships. ​ In AAA at Cookeville, East Hamilton girls won 5-0, while Ooltewah boys lost 4-3. ​ In A-AA, Notre Dame whitewashed Central Magnet in Murfreesboro, 4-0, in both matches and Hixson boys edged Boyd Buchanan, 4-2. ​ AAA - East Hamilton Girls: The Hurricanes improved to 17-0 with a 5-0 win against the host Cavaliers for EH’s first AAA Region 3 title. ​ EH travels to Murfreesboro Oakland next Thursday in the state quarters with the winner advancing to Spring Fling also played in Murfreesboro. ​ A-AA Hixson Boys: The Wildcats (7-2) defeated Boyd Buchanan, 4-2, for its their third straight region crown. Hixson takes on Notre Dame May 19 at The Champions Club ​ Good First Year: Hixson coach Kaitlin Oscai was hired March 4, coached her first varsity match March 14 and has guided the Wildcats to district and region titles. The UTC grad played four years at Soddy Daisy, 2008-2011. ​ Good Four Years: A quartet of Hixson seniors are in their fourth year on varsity and have led the Wildcats to four district and three region titles and two (2014-15) trips to the state tournament. ​ A-AA Notre Dame Boys: The Irish (8-3) defeated Cookeville, 4-0, and host Hixson May 20. Notre Dame beat Hixson earlier in the season. ​ A-AA Notre Dame Girls: The Irish also beat Cookeville, 4-0, and won all matches in straight sets to improve to 12-1 and hosts Collegedale May 19 in the state quarters ... Notre Dame has won region titles four of the last five years (2012-14-15-16) with state titles in 2012 and 2015 ​ * Hixson Boys 4, Boyd Buchanan 2 Singles Jake Harden (BBS) def Alex Condra, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 Carl Phillips (H) def. Joseph Delay, 6-0, 6-0 Richard Wong (H) def. Michael Otto, 6-0, 6-0 Landon Goforth (H) def. Charlie Driver, 6-1, 6-4 Grant Kretchmeirer (BBS) def. Chen Holmes, 6-0, 6-1 Doubles: Carl Phillips-Landon Goforth (H) def. Charlie Driver-Michael Otto, 7-6 (3), 6-0 Record: Hixson: 7-2 ​ * East Hamilton Girls 5, Cookeville 0 Singles Hannah Dattilo (EH) def. Sara Gaw 6-2, 7-5 Sydney Dattilo (EH) def. Caroline McCarter 6-1, 6-4 Meghan Gallups (EH) def. Hudson Taylor 6-2, 7-5 Avalon Langley (EH) def. Emma Cate Jones 6-0, 7-6 (7-4) Audree Duncan (EH) def. Natalie Crooks 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). Order of finish was 2,1,3,4,5. * Notre Dame Girls 4, Central Magnet 0 Singles 1 Sarah Faith Ingell (ND) def. Jordan Berrlos, 7-5, 6-3 2 Mary Margaret Haywood (ND) def. Laurel Tipps, 6-3, 6-4 4 Jessica Moore (ND) def. Sally Smith, 6-2, 6-2 5 Liza Davini (ND) def. Manly Sevier, 7-5, 6-2 Record: Notre Dame: 12-1 * Notre Dame Boys 4, Cookeville 0 Singles 2 Andrew Lisy (ND) def. Chase Owens, 6-1, 6-0 3 Jonathan Polcari (ND) def. Reed Gore, 6-2, 7-5 4 Will Ingell (ND) def. Greyson Gore, 6-3, 7-6 (5) 5 Nick Coronis (ND) def. Cheton Gonda, 6-0, 6-0 Record: ND (8-3) ​ contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

After nearly three hours of singles and doubles with the district title on the line, it came down to a seven point tie-breaker at No.4 singles. Regular season champ East Hamilton and defending district champ Soddy Daisy were even at four matches each with the winner traveling to Cookeville for the region championship Thursday. EH’s Avalon Langley and the Trojans Emily Johnson – both of whom who had won their doubles matches which seemed hours before – were even at 8-8 in the pro set format. Langley had a 5-0 lead in games earlier, but Johnson battled back to force the tie-breaker. Johnson served and lost the opening point, kept it close at 1-2, but Langley ran off the final five points and the host Hurricanes in won 5-4, improved to 16-0 and had their first district title in AAA. “It was an exciting win for us with Avalon winning the final team point and Hannah Dattilo getting a victory at No.1 singles,†said East Hamilton coach Michael Jackson Playing doubles first, Soddy Daisy (10-3) took a 2-1 lead, winning at Nos.1 and 3, while EH’s Megan Gallups and Langley defeated district doubles champ Shelby Noe-Katelynn Coyner, 8-6. EH then won three straight singles matches – Nos.1-2-3 – for a 4-2 advantage before the Trojans evened the match with wins at No.5 (Bailey Coyner) and No.6 (Taylor Stults) as all eyes then turned to the Langley- Johnson match. EH had wins from sisters Shelby Dattilo (No.2) and Hannah Dattilo (No.1), plus Gallups at No.3 The victory at No.1 for the Hurricanes was crucial as Dattilo beat district champ Olivia Crawley, 8-6, who had beaten Dattilo yesterday in the district finals and three other times this season. Four Matches in Four Days: The EH players competed in the District 5-AAA individual singles and doubles tournament, Monday and Tuesday, then the district team championship match today and travel to Cookeville Thursday. Smart Tennis: A trio of Soddy Daisy juniors carry 4.0 GPA’s … Olivia Crawley is No.1 in the among the juniors, followed by Emily Johnson (No.4) and Shelby Noe (No.7). 6-3 - A Good Way to Play: EH and SD started with doubles, followed by the six singles ... If they had started with singles and one team gained the necessary five wins and had a player who only played doubles she would never have played her match ... participation is the key ... D-II AA has led the way in playoffs with 6-3 format and 8-game pro set doubles first Now It's 5-2 ... Why ?? no one really knows why D-I AAA and A-AA teams have to drop to a 5-2 format ... thus leaving a player or players at home ... many A-AA schools might not be able to play a 6-3 format due to roster size thus it most likely is good for those schools ... But -- the vast majority of AAA schools across the state can and do play a 6-3 format during the regular season ... and want to play 6-3 throughout the playoffs ... this needs to be changed. East Hamilton 5, Soddy Daisy 4 Doubles Olivia Crawley-Bailey Coyner (SD) def. Hannah Dattilo-Shelby Dattilo, 8-2 Megan Gallups-Avalon Langley (EH) def. Shleby Noe-Katelynn Coyner, 8-6 Emily Johnson-Taylor Stults (SD) def. Andrea Duncan-Allyson Dunavant, 9-7 Singles Hannah Dattilo (EH) def. Olivia Crawley, 8-6 Shelby Dattilo (EH) def. Shelby Noe, 8-6 Megan Gallups (EH) def. Katelynn Coyner, 8-5 Avalon Langley (EH) def. Emily Johnson, 9-8 (7-1) Bailey Coyner (SD) def. Andrea Duncan, 8-5 Taylor Stults (SD) def. Madeline Benson, 8-6 Singles order of finish: 2-1-3-6-5-4 Records: East Hamilton (16-0) Soddy Daisy (10-3) Thursday's Schedule A-AA Region 4: Notre Dame boys and girls travel to Old Forte Park in Murfreesboro and meet Murfreesboro Central in both matches A-AA Region 3: Hixson girls at Collegedale at 1 p.m. ​AAA Region: Ooltewah boys and East Hamilton girls travel to Cookeville to take on the Cavalier teams. (these two matches could be moved to Friday due to expected bad weather on Thursday) contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Prep Tennis: SD Girls, GPS, Ooltewah Boys Win SD Girls vs East Hamilton Today For District 5 AAA Title The Ooltewah boys are champions of District 5 AAA, GPS defeated Harpeth Hall to secure second place in D-II AAA Middle/East and Soddy Daisy and East Hamilton will meet today for the District 5-AAA girls title in local prep tennis action. Showdown at Standifer Gap: Today (Wed. May 11) at 4 p.m. East Hamilton girls and Soddy Daisy will meet for the District 5-AAA tennis title … EH (15-0 in dual matches) won the regular season title, while defending district champ Soddy Daisy claimed the individual (singles/doubles) tournament yesterday. The defending champion Trojans have the experience – winning district and region titles a year ago, advancing to the state Final Four and return three of the top five players from a year ago, while the Eagles have shown they have the better depth in dual matches. The winner will play at Cookeville Thursday for the Region 3 championship. This Week: Today District 5-AAA Girls – Standifer Gap 4 p.m. – Soddy Daisy vs. East Hamilton Thursday A-AA Girls Region 1 p.m. – Hixson at Collegedale AAA Region 3 - East Hamilton-Soddy Daisy winner at Cookeville Friday A-AA Boys Region 1 p.m. at Racquet Club - Boyd Buchanan vs. Hixson AAA Region 3 - Ooltewah at Cookeville GPS 4, Harpeth Hall 0 The victorious Bruisers went on the road to claim the win and finish second in the D-II AA Middle/East Region. Doubles: #2 Corinne Spann/Ellie Edwards def Margaret Gaw/Katherine Risner 8-3, #3 Ali West/Maggie Eslinger def Helen Griffith/ Grace Claybrook 8-4 Singles: #2 Jenna Thorstenson (GPS) def. Abbie Keeble 6-1,6-0 #3 Ellie Edwards (GPS) def. Griffith 6-2,7-5 #6 Corinne Spann (GPS) def. Kathryn Risner 6-1,6-2 State Quarters D-II AA HH at St. Benedict GPS hosts Pope John Paul-Ensworth winner District 5 –AAA Tournament Boys Team Champion – Ooltewah (District regular season and tourney champ) Singles Final – Braden Lype (Ooltewah) def. Jared Elrod (Bradley Central), 6-4, 6-0 Doubles Final: V. Patel-J. Hughes (Cleveland) def. S. Tennant-T. Chipman (Ooltewah), 6-1, 6-4 District 5-AAA Girls Team Champion – Soddy Daisy Singles Final – Olivia Crawley (Soddy Daisy) def, Hannah Dattilo (East Hamilton), 7-5, 6-3 Doubles Final: Katelynn Coyner-Shelby Noe (Soddy Daisy) def. M. Gallups-A. Langley (East Hamilton), 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Prep Tennis: SD Girls, GPS, Ooltewah Boys Win SD Girls vs East Hamilton Today For District 5 AAA Title The Ooltewah boys are champions of District 5 AAA, GPS defeated Harpeth Hall to secure second place in D-II AAA Middle/East and Soddy Daisy and East Hamilton will meet today for the District 5-AAA girls title in local prep tennis action. Showdown at Standifer Gap: Today at 4 p.m. East Hamilton girls and Soddy Daisy will meet for the District 5-AAA tennis title … EH (15-0 in dual matches) won the regular season title, while defending district champ Soddy Daisy claimed the individual (singles/doubles) tournament yesterday. The defending champion Trojans have the experience – winning district and region titles a year ago, advancing to the state Final Four and return three of the top five players from a year ago, while the Eagles have shown they have the better depth in dual matches. The winner will play at Cookeville Thursday for the Region 3 championship. This Week: Today District 5-AAA Girls – Standifer Gap 4 p.m. – Soddy Daisy vs. East Hamilton Thursday A-AA Girls Region 1 p.m. – Hixson at Collegedale AAA Region 3 - East Hamilton-Soddy Daisy winner at Cookeville Friday A-AA Boys Region 1 p.m. at Racquet Club - Boyd Buchanan vs. Hixson AAA Region 3 - Ooltewah at Cookeville GPS 4, Harpeth Hall 0 The victorious Bruisers went on the road to claim the win and finish second in the D-II AA Middle/East Region. Doubles: #2 Corinne Spann/Ellie Edwards def Margaret Gaw/Katherine Risner 8-3, #3 Ali West/Maggie Eslinger def Helen Griffith/ Grace Claybrook 8-4 Singles: #2 Jenna Thorstenson (GPS) def. Abbie Keeble 6-1,6-0 #3 Ellie Edwards (GPS) def. Griffith 6-2,7-5 #6 Corinne Spann (GPS) def. Kathryn Risner 6-1,6-2 State Quarters: Harpeth Hall travels to St. Benedict GPS hosts Father Ryan-Brentwood Acad. winner District 5 –AAA Tournament Boys Team Champion – Ooltewah (District regular season and tourney champ) Singles Final – Braden Lype (Ooltewah) def. Jared Elrod (Bradley Central), 6-4, 6-0 Doubles Final: V. Patel-J. Hughes (Cleveland) def. S. Tennant-T. Chipman (Ooltewah), 6-1, 6-4 District 5-AAA Tournament Girls Team Champion – Soddy Daisy Singles Final – Olivia Crawley (Soddy Daisy) def, Hannah Dattilo (East Hamilton), 7-5, 6-3 Doubles Final: Katelynn Coyner-Shelby Noe (Soddy Daisy) def. M. Gallups-A. Langley (East Hamilton), 7-5, 4-6, 6-4

May 4 - Baylor Netters Top GPS, 7-0 In the first Baylor-GPS tennis match, Baylor coach Dustin Kane was not happy with the execution of his players in singles even though the Red Raiders won 5 Wednesday at Baylor, the seventh year coach was much more pleased with the outcome as the hosts won all six singles matches in straight sets on the way to a 7-0 triumph against GPS. The Bruisers had taken two matches to three sets (Baylor won 7-0) in the first meeting three weeks ago. “We worked hard on singles the last couple of weeks, made some adjustments in our play and the outcome was good,†said Kane whose team improved to 12-0 and finished first in the D-II AA Middle/East Region. The best match of the day was at No.1 singles as defending D-IIAA state singles champion Drew Hawkins defeated long-time friend and rival Maddox Bandy, 6-3, 7-5. Hawkins and Bandy split matches as Bandy and Jenna Thorstenson, who are defending state doubles champs, defeated Hawkins-Lauren Carelli, 8-5 at No.1 doubles for the Bruisers only win. “We played well, but Baylor came out a little stronger at the start of each match and we have to do a better job of getting a fast start in the future,†said GPS coach Sue Bartlett. Baylor 7, GPS 0 Doubles (worth one team point) Maddox Bandy-Jenna Thurstenson (GPS) def. Drew Hawkins-Lauren Carelli, 8-5 Presley Thomas-Ashton Jenne (Bay) def. Ellie Edwards-Corinne Spann, 8-2 Karolina Hakala-Lilly Mooney (Bay) def. Ali West-Eslinger, 8-1 Singles Drew Hawkins (Bay) def. Maddox Bandy, 6-3, 7-5 Karolina Hakala (Bay) def. Jenna Thurstenson, 6-2, 6-1 Presley Thomas (Bay) def. Ellie Edwards, 6-1, 6-2 Lauren Carelli (Bay) def. Ali West, 6-3, 6-1 Ashton Jenne (Bay) def. Kate Thel, 6-4, 6-1 Lilly Mooney (Bay) def. Corinne Spann, 6-3, 6-3 Records: Baylor 12-0, 2-0 GPS is at Harpeth Hall Tuesday in a region match

The No.1 seeds in singles and doubles claimed titles at the D-II AA Middle/East Region tennis tournament Saturday at GPS and Baylor girls and McCallie qualified the most (6) players for the upcoming TSSAA state tournament, May 24-28 in Murfreesboro. Boys Region: MBA’s George Harwell defeated Miles Jackson (Ensworth) for the singles title, while top-seeded Patrick Toomey-Alec Kadrie (Baylor) beat teammates Cooper Long-Braden Kadrie, 3-6, 6-3, 10-4 for the doubles crown. Girls Region: Defending state champ Drew Hawkins (Baylor) defeated Winslow Huth (Harpeth Hall), 6-2, 7-5 in the singles final, while defending state champs Maddox Bandy-Jenna Thurstenson (GPS) def. Lauren Carelli-Presley Thomas (Baylor), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the doubles final. Heading to State: The top five finishers in singles and doubles advance to the state tournament. Boys Singles Champion: No.1 George Harwell (MBA) def. No.2 Miles Jackson (Ensworth) default 3rd-4th: Taylor Burgan (McCallie) def. Matthew Burlow (MBA) 5th: Matt Bartlett (McCallie) def. Matthew Elias (Baylor), 7-5, 6-3 Boys Doubles: Champion: No.1 Patrick Toomey-Alec Kadrie (Baylor) def. No.2 Cooper Long-Braden Kadrie (Baylor), 3-6, 6-3, 10-4 3rd -4th: Charlie Thel-Ryan Crump (McCallie) def. Zan Meyer-George Brandt (McCallie), 6-2, 7-5 5th: Hugh Graham-Cole Thornton (MBA) def. Jack Miller-Jim Miller (Father Ryan), 6-3, 3-6, 10-7 State Qualifiers: McCallie (6 - 2 singles, 2 doubles teams), Baylor (4 - 2 doubles teams), MBA (4 - 2 singles, 1 doubles teams), Ensworth (1 - 1 singles) Girls Singles Champion: No.1 Drew Hawkins (Baylor) def. Winslow Huth (Harpeth Hall), 6-2, 7-5 3rd – 4th: Lauren Hadley Trammel (Baylor) def Ashton Jenne (Baylor), 6-4, 6-4 5th: Kate Thel (GPS def. Maggie Cannata (Ensworth), 6-4, 5-7, 11-9 Note: Thel was up 7-5 in the 10-point tie breaker, then trailed 9-7 before fighting off two match points and won the final four points for the win. Girls Doubles Champion: Maddox Bandy-Jenna Thurstenson (GPS) def. Carelli-Presley Thomas (Baylor), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 3rd-4th: Karolina Hakala-Lilly Mooney (Baylor) def. Corinne Spann-Ellie Edwards (GPS) 5th: Natalie Overby-Josephine Bass (Ensworth) Claybrook-Kathryn Risner (Harpeth Hall) State Qualifiers: Baylor (6 - 2 singles, 2 doubles teams), GPS (5 - 1 singles, 2 doubles teams), Ensworth (2 - 1 doubles team), Harpeth Hall (1 - singles), Ensworth (1 - 1 singles) ​ contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Led by a 9-7 win at No.1 singles by Sarah Faith Ingell, the Notre Dame girls tennis team defeated host Chattanooga Christian, 5-2, while the Irish boys stopped CCS, 7-0, in district matches Monday (4-18-2016). Girls Match: The defending A-AA state champion Irish won four of five singles and split the two doubles matches to move to 8-0 overall and 1-0 in district play. Notre Dame hosts district foe Signal Mountain next Tuesday at the Champions Club. Comeback I: at No.1 singles, junior Sarah Faith Ingell (ND) trailed 0-2, 3-5 and 6-7 before winning the final three games to edge eighth grader Bailey Dishmon, 9-7. Comeback II: at No. 3 singles, CCS ninth grader Addie Henry fought off three match points and went on to win the pro set 9-8 (7-2) in the seven point tie-breaker against Bowie Strozak. Henry is the last of four siblings to play high school tennis following brother, David, (McCallie) and sisters Ellie and Hannah (CCS). Boys Match: The Irish (6-2, 1-0) were led by J.R. Davis who won singles and doubles at the No.1 spot. Coaches Quotes: “Our players on both the boys and girls teams played well, it was good to get the district wins on the road and we look forward to the district match with Signal Mountain next week,†said Notre Dame coach Nancy Fox. “Our girls are young and I am excited to see how they develop throughout the season,†said first year coach Brian Bass, who played at BGA and then Birmingham Southern. “Players on both teams are working hard and want to improve.†Notre Dame Girls 5, CCS 2 Doubles 1 Sarah Faith Ingell/Mary Margaret Haywood (ND) def. Bailey Dishmon/Addie Henry, 8-5 2 Anne Reynolds-Smith (CCS) def. Bowie Strozak/Jessica Moore (ND), 9-8 (9-7) Singles 1 Sarah Faith Ingell (ND) def. Bailey Dishmon, 9-7 2 Mary Margaret Haywood (ND) def. Olivia Torbett, 8-4 3 Addie Henry (CCS) def. Bowie Strozak, 9-8 (7-2) 4 Jessica Moore (ND) def. Annie Reynolds, 8-2 5 Liza Davini (ND) def. Elizabeth Huffecker, 8-5 Notre Dame Boys 7, CCS 0 Doubles 1 J.R. Davis-Aaron Marini (ND) def. Preston Poe-Ryan Rhodes, 8-1 2 Jonathan Polean-Nick Coronis (ND) def. Alex Byars-Nate Plating, 8-1 Singles 1 J.R. Davis (ND) def. Preston Poe, 8-2 2 Will Ingell (ND) def. Ryan Rhodes, 8-3 3 Jonathan Polean (ND) def, Alex Byars, 8-6 4 Nick Coronis (ND) def. Nate Plating, 8-2 5 Aaron Marini (ND) def. Dave Baker, 8-4

Baylor Girls, St. Xavier Boys Lead Rotary Tennis A Division USJ Boys and Knox Catholic Girls Lead B Divisions The Baylor girls tennis team looks to capture the second leg of the prep tennis triple crown today with a win at the prestigious Chattanooga Rotary Tennis Tournament, while the St. Xavier (Ky.)boys squad looks to out distant defending champion Baylor and Mountain Brook (Ala.) for the program’s third title in four years and sixth overall. In the B Division, Knox Catholic girls have a four point lead over Spain Park (15-11), while Univ. School Jackson (USJ) leads runner-up Univ. School Nashville (USN), 14.5 to 10. Team Standings Girls A: 1. Baylor 13 2.) Knox Webb 10 3.) McCracken 8.5 4. (tie) Huntsville and Hutchison 5.5 6.) Mountain Brook (Ala.) 5 7.) GPS (4.5) 8. Harpeth Hall 1.5 If Baylor wins, the Red Raiders will have the second leg of a “tennis triple crown†having won the DecoTurf championship in March and will favored to win the TSSAA high school state title in May. Baylor leads Webb by three points and has four players in today’s singles finals and all three doubles teams in the semis. Webb has two players in the singles finals an two doubles teams in the semis. Defending champ McCracken has three players in the singles finals and one doubles team in the semis. Boys A: 1.). St Xavier 13 2.) Baylor 11.5 3.) Mountain Brook 10.5 4.) MBA 9.5 5.) McCallie 6 6.) McCracken 2 7) Knox Webb 1.5 8.) Spain Park 0 St. X has four players in the singles finals and two teams in the doubles semis, while defending champ Baylor has two singles players in the finals and all three doubles teams in the semis. MBA has three in the singles finals, but only one doubles team alive in the semis. Girls B: 1.) Knox Catholic 15 2.) Spain Park 11 3.) Science Hill 8.5 4.) Randolph 5.5 5.) (tie) Chattanooga Christian and USJ 5 7.) CAK 4.5 8.) Notre Dame 3 Knox Catholic has four in the singles finals as does Spain Park (they meet twice), but Knox Catholic has all three doubles teams in the semis while Spain Park has none. Knox Catholic has never won the Rotary while Spain Park and Huntsville shared the B Division title in 2009. Boys B: 1.) USJ 14.5 2.) USN 10 3.) Science Hill 9 4.) (tie) Notre Dame, CAK 8.5 6.) Huntsville 8 7.) Randolph 2.5 8.) Knox Catholic 2 Univ. School Jackson (Tenn.) (USJ) last won the tourney in 2000 (C Division) … Univ. School Nashville (USN) looks for its first title USJ has five in the singles finals and two teams in the doubles semis … USN has three in the singles finals and meets USJ twice .. but has only one doubles team in the semis.

Life has reached up and hit McCallie wrestler Judah Duhm in the face not once, but three times yet the soft-spoken junior stands at the door this weekend of a possible undefeated state championship season. In wrestling terms, he was on his back and fighting to get up. From a distance, life seems good for the 16-year-old Lookout Mountain Ga. resident with a 3.5 grade point average, who has the aforementioned undefeated season (36-0) and is three wins from a state championship which could come Saturday night in Franklin at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center. State Tourney Info: (all times EST) Friday 11 a.m. -D-II quarterfinals … 7 p.m. - championship semis and consolations Saturday – Noon - finals in all divisions for third and fifth places … 6 p.m. championship finals for all divisions A closer look shows thanks to suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee in the summer after his eighth grade year and a bad back keeping him sidelined the next two years his prep career could have been over and with it the dream of a state title. Plus, the family home burned to the ground when he was 10-years-old. “We lost everything in the fire and it took two years to re-build our home,†said Duhm (pronounced Doom) who is the top seed at 160 pounds this weekend in the D-II (private school) tournament and one of the best wrestlers at that weight in any division (A-AA and AAA being the other two)in the state. “But thanks to great friends in the neighborhood and in our church (Lookout Mountain Presbyterian), and lots of prayer and encouragement we were able to find a home nearby to live in while my dad led the way to re-build our new home.†Home schooled until his eighth grade year when he entered McCallie, Duhm is thankful for where he is today. “I was hoping to apply for McCallie six years ago, but when the fire destroyed our home that option was put on hold for three years. “I never thought I would be able to attend McCallie (after the fire) and even through injuries I am thankful for this opportunity of earning a great education.†Academic Challenges: He admits that it was a huge adjustment going from the world of home schooling to the academic rigors of a top prep school. “I didn’t do so well my eighth grade year, yet I knew this (being at McCallie) was such an incredible opportunity for me and being sidelined from wrestling for two years helped me focus on my studies,†stated Duhm who says Chemistry is his most enjoyable subject this year and AP U.S. History is the most difficult. He also enjoys wrestling and likes the one-on-one, man-to-man combat part of the sport. “My dad wrestled in high school in California and had me in a singlet by the age of five,†Duhm stated. “I didn’t do too well early on and my current teammate Trent Walliser and others whipped me pretty bad in practice when we were kids. “But today thanks to coaches David Levitt and Gordon Connell I have a clear idea of who I am - one who is extremely aggressive and ready to do battle with my opponent.†Coach Connell said,†Judah doesn’t give in and is so persistent when he out there on the mat which a great trait to have to be successful.†“This “incredible opportunity†and a second and third chance to wear the McCallie singlet continues starting today in the morning quarterfinals. A win moves him to this evening’s semifinals and then possibly knocking on the championship door come Saturday night. contact B.B.Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Baylor School wrestling coach Ben Nelson has been a prep coach for a 17 years and has yet to have an undefeated state champion. Odds are very good that missing piece to his coaching resume changes this weekend at the TSSAA D-II state wrestling tournament in Franklin as Baylor senior Ryan Parker (48-0) is three wins from a perfect season. “I have coached in Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota and now Tennessee, have coached individual and team state champs, but have never had an undefeated state champion on one of my teams,†said Nelson who holds a doctorate in science from Northern Illinois in 2008. “Ryan is three wins from an undefeated season and another individual state title and the great thing about him is that he expects to win every time he walks on the mat,†Nelson stated. Parker is not only shooting for that perfect season, but, along with teammate Michael Murphy (145, 43-1), has his sights sets on his fourth state championship. Only nine wrestlers in the history of the state tournament have won four titles and only two have won five. (see list below). “To have two seniors going for their fourth mat title in the same year is great for our program as their success is seen by our younger wrestlers and hopefully their achievements are a catylist for our underclassmen to set big goals,†Nelson stated. Unusual Path to Four Titles: “What Ryan is trying to do – win four titles at 170 or above – is unusual as the nine, four time winners and two, five time winners all went the traditional route of winning at one of the lower weights and moving up a few weight classes in four years,†Nelson stated. Parker has won a title at 170 and 182 and is the defending champ at 195, while Murphy’s three championships have been at 106, 113 and 138. The key to Ryan and Michael’s success is that both of them do what it takes on a daily basis, are mentally prepared for each match and they love to compete,†Nelson stated. “Losing is not part of their vocabulary.†State Tournament History Michael Murphy: 13-2 in four years … fifth place (106, 3-2) in 2012 as an eighth grader … won state at 106 (2013, 4-0), 113 (2014, 3-0) and 138 (2015, 3-0) … last loss to a Tennessee wrestler was to Justin Becci (Brentwood Academy) in the state consolations in 2012 … Murphy beat Becci in the semis in 2013 on the way to his first state title and beat Becci in the finals in 2014 Ryan Parker: 10-0 in three years at the state meet … won at 170 (2013, 4-0), at 182 (2014, 3-0) and 195 (2015, 3-0) … last loss to a Tennessee wrestler was McCallie’s Nathan Haden Hoodenpyle in the McCallie Invitational finals in Dec. 2013 … Parker beat Hoodenpyle in the 2014 dual meet and in the 2014 state finals Tennessee's 5-time and 4-time state wrestling champions 5-time Champions (2) 5—Zach Watson, Baylor (2008-09-10-11-12) 5—T.J. Duncan, McCallie (2007-08-09-10-11) 4-Time Champions (9) 4- Chris DeBien, Cleveland (2012-13-14-15) 4 — Campbell Lewis, Soddy-Daisy (2009-10-11-12) 4—Stuart Doster, Baylor (2008-09-10-11) 4—Bailey Whitaker, Baylor (2005-06-07-08) 4—Jordan Leen, Baylor (2001-02-03-04) 4—Ryan Scott, McCallie (2001-02-03-04) 4—Matt Keller, Bradley Central (1999-00-01-02) 4—Phillip Simpson, Montgomery Bell Acad. (1998-99-00-01) 4 — Martin Francis, Notre Dame (1969-70-71-72)

Key wins from senior Jack Reynolds at 132 and ninth grader Mason Reiniche at 160 propelled Baylor to a come from behind 30-27 win Saturday in a D-II Middle/East wrestling match at McCallie. Wrestling before a standing room only crowd, McCallie won six of the first nine matches for a 27-13, but Baylor won the final five weight classes worth 17 points and the win. “Both teams have excellent wrestlers in the heart of the lineup, you work hard to have your guys prepared and we were able to come out on top,†said Baylor head coach Ben Nelson “I think our conditioning paid off today and I believe we are peaking at the right time.†With McCallie leading 27-13, Reynolds defeated long-time foe Trent Walliser, 6-1, to start the Baylor rally. “The key to my win was my ability to feed off the energy of the crowd and also just to focus on my technique,†said a smiling Reynolds who is now 3-2 overall in matches against McCallie. Red Raiders Austin Atchley posted a major decision (13-4) against Thomas Sell (138), followed by Michael Murphy’s 6-4 triumph against Ethan Dendy in a re-match of the 2015 state finals to make it 27-23 McCallie. Reiniche then upset state champion Will Patton, 6-1, and senior Caleb Powell clinched the team win with a 10-1 major decision against Turner Rowland. Reiniche, a 2015 state runner-up said, “I felt confident going into the match and getting the first takedown was key and I felt it broke him,†McCallie sprinted to the big lead due in large part on pins from Judah Duhm (170), Trel Phillps (195) and Zack Ward (106). Baylor now leads the overall series, 52-40 and have won 14 straight. McCallie’s last win was in the 2006 state duals finals. McCallie coach Mike Newman said,“We got bonus points where we needed them (9 points from three pins), but it came down to Baylor won eight matches and we only won six. “Our guys fought hard, but we only have ourselves to blame for the loss. “To Baylor’s credit, they stepped up and won the final five matches.†Baylor 30, McCallie 27 170- Judah Duhm (McC) pinned Riley Westlake, 1:45 … McCallie, 6-0 182- Khamari Whimper (Bay) tech fall Walker Daugherty 22-7 … McCallie, 6-5 195- Trel Phillips (McC) pinned David Thompson, 3:36 … McCallie, 12-5 220- Ryan Parker (Bay) major dec. Jay Roberts, 13-4… McCallie, 12-9 285- River Henry (McC) dec. Cooper Reiniche, 7-4 .. McCallie, 15-9 106 – Zack Ward (McC) pinned Clayton Pettway, 2:36 … McCallie 21-9 113- Trent Maddox (McC) dec. Grant Slye, 7-2 … McCallie, 24-9 120- Trevor Milling (Bay) major dec. Jared McCallister, 13-0 … McCallie, 24-13 126 – Brock Herring (McC) dec. Andy Atchley, 6-0 … McCallie, 27-13 132- Jack Reynolds (Bay) dec. Trent Walliser, 6-1 … McCallie, 27-16 138 - Austin Atchley (Bay) major dec. Thomas Sell, 13-4 … McCallie, 27-20 145- Michael Murphy (Bay) dec. Ethan Dendy, 6-4 … McCallie 27-23 152- Mason Reiniche (Bay) dec. Will Patton, 6-1 … McCallie, 27-26 160- Caleb Powell (Bay) major dec. Turner Roland, 10-1 … Baylor 30-27

“We are friends before and after the match, but for those six minutes on the mat we are opponents. We haven’t wrestled each other in 10 years.†Baylor’s Jack Reynolds who faces McCallie’s Trent Walliser today at 5 p.m. ​ They wrestled thirtysomething times as kids and neither wrestler knows the exact win-loss total. A decade later, McCallie’s Trent Walliser and Baylor’s Jack Reynolds meet one more time today (5 p.m. at McCallie) in the 132 pound match. “We wrestled each other in kids’ tournaments all the time when we were six, seven and eight years old,†said Walliser a 17-year-old senior and first year McCallie wrestler. “I would win one week and Jack would win the next and we did that for three years until we were in different weight classes.†Walliser wrestled for the Tornado Kids Club, while Reynolds, whose dad wrestled for Notre Dame, wrestled for St. Jude and later for UTC kids club. A look at the two wrestlers journey to today’s match Jack Reynolds … Sr. Age: 18 … now in his fourth year on the varsity and is veteran of the McCallie-Baylor mat wars at 2-2 … has two individual state medals and a member of two Baylor state championship teams .. also competes in cross-country and track … won a state AAU title as a fifth grader … Attended St. Jude elementary and has been in the Baylor wrestling program since the sixth grade … has a 3.6 GPA and headed to the U. of Tennessee in the fall to study business Trent Walliser … Sr. Age: 17 … as taken quite a different path to today’s match … five schools, two season-ending injuries … a heart-breaking loss in the 2014 state finals for Lookout Valley … will attend Union College in Jackson, Tenn. and plans to be a youth pastor. He is on the short list of those who have wrestled for three schools … started at Chattanooga Christian as an eighth grader … hit by a car while riding his bike prior to his ninth grade year and was told by doctors he would never wrestle again. “I had put too many hours and years in the sport to quit.†In other words slim, none and fat chance he was going to give up. He was the top wrestler in his region as a ninth grader and had recovered from the leg injury, but infection set in and his goal to become a state champion was stopped. He transferred to Lookout Valley for the 2013-14 season and was ahead in the state finals, but his opponent pinned him with a head throw. “That was the most devastating loss in my career as I was so close to a state championship.†Injury No.2: an ACL tear in his right knee at a summer wrestling camp sidelined him for the 2014-15 season which allowed him to transfer to any school without losing an extra year. “I am grateful for having wrestled at CCS and Lookout Valley, but I have always wanted to wrestle for a team and have a chance at a state title and McCallie is the perfect fit for me. Evidently so, as he posted a 4.0 GPA in the fall semester. The McCallie coaches have taught me so much in the way of technique this season, while CCS coach Josh Craft had me in my best wrestling shape ever.†So today around dinner time, two teenagers - one wearing red and other blue - who have gained and given up take downs and reverses and have had their hands raised in victory meet again as seniors. The crowd will watch and cheer as a pair old friends meet in the squared circle maybe for the last time. ​ Note: Three Schools - One other wrestler who competed for three schools in Tenn. is Josh Deckelman … started out at Tullahoma … transferred to Baylor … then transferred to Soddy Daisy and his win in the 2012 state duals final clinched the team title for the Trojans … .. then transferred to Notre Dame but did not wrestle … moved to California with his dad and wrestled his senior year on the west coast. ​ contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net