Sommers

Tennessee High NE TN news… https://heraldcourier.com/sports/watch-now-prep-wrestling-ths-roller-138-castlewoods-gibson-113-take-titles-at-bill-brimer/article_da752ebe-70ff-11ec-9dcf-27ca157bb604.html Also at Ryan… https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/sports/medina-pins-his-way-to-fandetti-richardson-195-pound-title/article_813ad526-70c1-11ec-91b3-97ad18298d63.html

MAINSTREET PREPS How WH Heritage’s Kyle Watts developed into one of the Midstate’s top wrestlers https://www.mainstreetpreps.com/county/how-wh-heritage-s-kyle-watts-developed-into-one-of-the-midstate-s-top-wrestlers/article_d0217b1a-6e71-11ec-a6b8-c77e263cbe39.html BLAINE KELLAR bkellar@mainstreetmediatn.com Jan 5, 2022 Updated 4 hrs ago Comments 1 of 12 Kyle Watts stands up during a match at Nashville Christian. BLAINE KELLAR Kyle Watts improved to 16-1 with a win against Jamel King. BLAINE KELLAR Pic Kyle Watts grapples with Nashville Christian's Jamel King. BLAINE KELLAR Pic Nashville Christian's Deion King holds down Brayden Crouch. BLAINE KELLAR Pic White House Heritage's Brayden Crouch sizes up Deion King. BLAINE KELLAR Pic Nashville Christian's Peyton Woodard hovers over Mason Hawk. BLAINE KELLAR Pic Jacob Mahoney (left) and Richmond Flowers (right) get ready during a break in the action. BLAINE KELLAR Pic White House Heritage's Jacob Mahoney locks up Richmond Flowers. BLAINE KELLAR Pic Logan Shoemaker stares down Brody Parnell. BLAINE KELLAR Pic Donovan Brown makes a move on Alex Fentress. BLAINE KELLAR Pic Alex Taylor attempts to escape from Nashville Christian's Christopher Mitchell. BLAINE KELLAR Pic White House Heritage wrestling coach Joseph Hill. BLAINE KELLAR White House Heritage’s Kyle Watts has a wrestling career that’s almost too good to believe. Four years ago, Watts was completely unaware of the sport. He said he felt lost and scared nearly every match as a freshman. He’s now 16-1 on the season and is ranked second in Class A’s 170-pound division, per Pin-TN.com. After finishing fifth in the state tournament last year, Watts is shooting for the top spot at the end of next month. “I feel like every year I’m just getting better,” he said after a Tuesday match at Nashville Christian. “I’ve been working really hard this year, and I want to make it further in state. I’m just going to keep grinding.” Wrestling came natural to Watts, and it seemingly hasn’t stopped in doing so. He opted for basketball as a middle schooler with Heritage, a sport he admitted he wasn’t very good at. Watts then turned his attention to the mats with the high school’s former co-op program at East Robertson. “The first day at practice I ended up loving it, and I just fell in love with the sport,” he said. “It gave me an adrenaline rush that I’ve never had before. “I have good length, (and) I’ve developed a lot of strength and skill throughout the years.” Things started to click in the middle of his first year, and that adrenaline rush carried over when White House Heritage founded its wrestling program the following season. Watts has qualified for the state tournament every year since. He set a new career best for wins on Tuesday. “I think the biggest thing has been his movement,” said Heritage wrestling coach Joseph Hill. “He knows his body and can move his body really well. He’s learned several moves that he loves to run, and he’s homed in and really worked on those skills. “He’s wrestling at the elite level.” Coming off a December championship in the Bruise Brothers Invitational, Watts quickly knocked off previously undefeated Jamel King at Nashville Christian for his 11th consecutive win. His lone loss this season came against Wilson Central’s Matthew Hills, who sits as the sixth-best wrestler in Pin-TN’s AA rankings. Watts also holds decisions over large division wrestlers from Dickson County, Gallatin, McGavock and Springfield. With nine remaining regular season matches to prepare, Watts hopes he can improve upon his 6-4 state tournament record and end his high school career on top. “I think my chances are a lot better this year,” he said. “I’m trying to at least make first this year. I think I have a better chance. “I just think wrestling is meant for me. I think it’s the only sport that I can really do.” RESULTS: Nashville Christian 51, White House Heritage 21 -Nikolas Taylor (For.) -Deion King over Brayden Crouch (13-7) -Kyle Watts over Jamel King (4-2) -Peyton Woodard over Mason Hawk (Pin) -Richmond Flowers over Jacob Mahoney (Pin) -Jaden Potts (For.) -Daniel Duncan (For.) -Carson Upchurch over Keith Lunsford (Pin) -Brody Parnell over Logan Shoemaker (Pin) -Donavan Brown over Alex Fentress (Pin) -Nathaniel Slough over Gage Smith (Pin) -Christopher Mitchell over Alex Taylor (Pin) -Noah Delervant over Benjamin Ivey (Pin)

Chattanooga Times/Free Press, Tenn. Cody Chittum of Cleveland, Tennessee, impresses as prep wrestler at UTC's Southern Scuffle Gene Henley, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn. Mon, January 3, 2022, 2:44 AM·3 min read Jan. 3—This weekend provided a pleasingly surreal moment for Shane Chittum. As his son Cody was growing up, the two of them would frequent the Southern Scuffle, with the young wrestler dreaming of someday competing in the two-day tournament hosted by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. On Saturday evening, Shane looked onto one of the mats at UTC's McKenzie Arena and saw his son jogging around, preparing for a match in the quarterfinals on the opening day of this year's event. "In 2013, Cody was 9 years old and we came to this event and we were spectators," Shane said Sunday. "It's father and son enjoying the moment, and now we've been on this journey for 10 years." Cody Chittum's dream came true — and perhaps a year or two earlier than could have been expected by the former Cleveland High School standout, who last year helped the Blue Raiders to TSSAA Class AAA titles in state duals and traditional tournament competition. Chittum advanced to the Southern Scuffle quarterfinals Saturday before dropping his final two matches, a pretty good run considering he's still considered a high school student. Shane said he petitioned to have Cody compete in the event unattached and wanted to "see where he's at before he goes to college." Not that Cody minded. He was more disappointed about a high-ankle sprain that caused him to lose his last match Saturday and have to forfeit Sunday. "Since I was young, I've watched the Scuffle, and it was a cool opportunity to be a high schooler that's part of a college tournament," he said. "You see other people that you've watched their technique, and now you're getting to wrestle against them." Chittum currently attends the Apex Learning School, an online-only program that helps accelerate the graduation process. Chittum completed his junior year of high school in December and is expected to graduate this summer, which will allow him to start college in the fall semester at the University of Minnesota; he has already committed to continue his wrestling career with the Gophers. After winning a 120-pound state championship as an eighth grader at McCallie, the Cleveland native spent his freshman season at the Blair Academy in New Jersey, then wound up enrolling at Cleveland in January 2021 and competing for the Blue Raiders, winning all 10 of his matches on his way to the 145-pound state title in AAA. He won each of his four matches in the state tournament by pin. He's currently the country's top-ranked 145-pounder and one of the top overall wrestlers in the nation, according to multiple publications. "I grew up right down the street from the (Allan) Jones Wrestling Center, so I had wrestled with those guys a bunch," Cody said of his time at Cleveland High School. "I liked being a part of that family, the family I've grown up with my whole life when we would go to the same Scuffle tournament. "Even though it was just one year, it was still very special to me." Just like weekends like this past one are special to his father. "You've got your sorrows about it, but you also know it's the right thing for him," Shane said. "You realize that when they're young, every day matters and every sporting event is stressful, but as they get older, it's actually easier. "Yesterday was a sign that he's growing up and officially leaving." Mocs medal UTC had two medalists at the tournament, which returned after a year off due to the coronavirus outbreak. Brayden Palmer, a sophomore who was not among the top eight seeds in his bracket, rallied after losing his first-round match to finish third at 133 pounds. Fourth-seeded Fabian Gutierrez placed sixth at 125, with the sixth-year senior winning way into the semifinals before losing by decision and forfeiting due to injury. Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.

Incredible…. And Historic!!!!

Still keeping it going in Warren county!! Local Press Recognition In 2021 Gillentine pins down medal Ike Gillentine was the lone Pioneer wrestler to reach the state wrestling tournament in Chattanooga in February. Gillentine, who is like a piece of iron on the wrestling mat, finished 3-3 at the state tournament to earn a sixth-place medal. “It’s a dream I’ve always wanted to accomplish and I finally did it thanks to two of the best coaches anyone could ask for,” said Gillentine. “They do everything in the world just so I could have this opportunity.” The two coaches Gillentine refers to are head Pioneer wrestling coach Matt Turner and assistant head coach Robert Piche. Both coaches accompanied Gillentine to Chattanooga and were by his side the entire wrestling season. Gillentine had to work to finish as the No. 6-ranked 195-pound wrestler in the state. He went 3-3 against the best Tennessee high school wrestlers in his third trip to the state tournament. This year was the first time he came home with a medal. As a team, Pioneer wrestling finished runner-up in the district and fourth in the region.

Fixing to peak in two- three weeks

Op Coming for Father Ryan to do some home cooking on Union Co. Jan 7th and even the score!! In the mean time… Wrestling: Union County runner-up in Mater Dei's Holiday Classic Kevin Patton Henderson Gleaner EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Union County finished second in the field of 17 teams in the 2021 Mater Dei Holiday Classic Wednesday and Thursday. The Braves totaled 212 1/2 points, finishing 38 1/2 points behind tournament champion Mater Dei. Stephen Little was one of four weight class winners for Union County and was named the tournament's most outstanding wrestler. Other first-place finishers for the Braves were Jayden Raney, Jordyn Raney and Trayce Eckman. Gavin Ricketts and Jeremy Ray finished third. Paxton Ervin was fourth, while Glenn Mayes, Corithian Seales-Portee and Davis Pike finished fifth. Again… Union County will compete in the Johnny Drennan Father Ryan Invitational in Nashville Jan. 7-8.

GA Hot Spot results… 2021 GWINNETT COUNTY WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM RESULTS 1. Buford 239.5 2. North Gwinnett 165 3. Brookwood 158 4. Dacula 141.5 5. Archer 140 6. Mill Creek 105 7. Mountain View 99 8. Collins Hill 98 9. Lanier 94.5 10. Peachtree Ridge 82 11. Grayson 30 12. Wesleyan 29 13. Duluth 24 t14. Berkmar 18

Brother Martin takes Trey Culotta Invitational Brother Martin 335.5 Christian Brothers 300.5 December 21, 2021 By Ken Trahan Category: Preps It was an annual occurrence renewed Tuesday at Bob Conlin Gymnasium. Brother Martin once again won its own Trey Culotta Invitational, beating out Christian Brothers of Memphis, Tennessee for the wrestling title. Vestavia Hills, Alabama was third with East Ascension fourth and Parkway fifth. Individual champions for Brother Martin included Richie Clementi (113), Mason Elsensohn (132) and Kent Burandt (145) while second place finishers for the Crusaders were Jacob Elsensohn (120) and Rocco Horvath (170). Archbishop Hannan had a second place finisher in Grayson Pennison (160). Team Scores: 1 Brother Martin 335.5 2 Christian Brothers 300.5 3 Vestavia Hills 242.0 4 East Ascension 214.0 5 Parkway 197.0 6 Houston 137.0 7 Airline 135.0 8 Pace 134.5 9 De La Salle 131.0 9 Holy Innocents` 131.0 9 St. Thomas Catholic 131.0 12 Ada 112.5 13 Southside 112.0 14 Basile 91.0 15 Eagle`s Landing 80.0 16 Archbishop Hannan 66.0 17 Sam Houston 63.5 18 Heritage 50.5 19 Walker 20.0 Individual Results: 106 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Tyson Roach of Sam Houston • 2nd Place – Kael Reaux of Southside • 3rd Place – Logan Olsen of Airline • 4th Place – Logan Dacuyan of Brother Martin • 5th Place – Dylan Duvernay of DeLaSalle • 6th Place – Hudson Salvaggio of Christian Brothers • 7th Place – Trey Trainor of Brother Martin • 8th Place – Natalie Lugo of Pace • 9th Place – Holden Wempren of East Ascension • 10th Place – Brayden Holmes of Parkway • 11th Place – Ty Inglesby of Holy Innocents` • 12th Place – Si`ana Whiteside of Eagle`s Landing • 13th Place – Blake McDonald of Brother Martin 1st Place Match • Tyson Roach (Sam Houston) 33-0, So. over Kael Reaux (Southside) 12-3, Fr. (Fall 2:25) 3rd Place Match • Logan Olsen (Airline) 17-8, So. over Logan Dacuyan (Brother Martin) 16-14, Jr. (Dec 5-2) 5th Place Match • Dylan Duvernay (DeLaSalle) 27-6, So. over Hudson Salvaggio (Christian Brothers) 16-8, Fr. (Dec 4-0) 7th Place Match • Trey Trainor (Brother Martin) 11-8, Fr. over Natalie Lugo (Pace) 5-4, Sr. (Fall 3:33) 9th Place Match • Holden Wempren (East Ascension) 16-15, So. over Brayden Holmes (Parkway) 10-7, Fr. (Fall 0:39) 11th Place Match • Ty Inglesby (Holy Innocents`) 6-5, Fr. over Si`ana Whiteside (Eagle`s Landing) 5-11, Fr. (Fall 1:54) 13th Place Match • Blake McDonald (Brother Martin) 6-9, Fr. over () , . (Bye) 15th Place Match • () , . over () , . (Bye) 113 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Richie Clementi of Brother Martin • 2nd Place – Landon Reaux of Southside • 3rd Place – Colby Baltz of Houston • 4th Place – Cale Tucker of Vestavia Hills • 5th Place – Matthew Gallman of Parkway • 6th Place – Cristian Sampson of Eagle`s Landing • 7th Place – Kye Karcher of Walker • 8th Place – Aiden Krass of East Ascension • 9th Place – Phillip Cravatt II of Ada • 10th Place – Michael Finders of Airline • 11th Place – Dylan Brown of DeLaSalle • 12th Place – Tucker Gleeson of Holy Innocents` • 13th Place – Max Rehkopf of Christian Brothers • 14th Place – Kai-Emoni Whiteside of Eagle`s Landing 1st Place Match • Richie Clementi (Brother Martin) 22-0, Fr. over Landon Reaux (Southside) 9-2, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:26 (17-2)) 3rd Place Match • Colby Baltz (Houston) 25-4, So. over Cale Tucker (Vestavia Hills) 15-5, Jr. (Dec 4-2) 5th Place Match • Matthew Gallman (Parkway) 14-3, Jr. over Cristian Sampson (Eagle`s Landing) 24-10, Jr. (For.) 7th Place Match • Kye Karcher (Walker) 18-3, Fr. over Aiden Krass (East Ascension) 12-13, Fr. (Fall 2:16) 9th Place Match • Phillip Cravatt II (Ada) 3-2, Sr. over Michael Finders (Airline) 7-14, Fr. (MD 13-1) 11th Place Match • Dylan Brown (DeLaSalle) 12-11, Fr. over Tucker Gleeson (Holy Innocents`) 10-9, So. (Fall 2:20) 13th Place Match • Max Rehkopf (Christian Brothers) 6-11, Sr. over Kai-Emoni Whiteside (Eagle`s Landing) 8-12, So. (Fall 0:37) 15th Place Match • () , . over () , . (Bye) 120 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Ernie Perry III of Airline • 2nd Place – Jacob Elsensohn of Brother Martin • 3rd Place – Alex Ropski of Christian Brothers • 4th Place – Christopher Strong of Parkway • 5th Place – Davis Reiff of Vestavia Hills • 6th Place – Jesse Maneckshaw of East Ascension • 7th Place – Bryce Hite of Brother Martin • 8th Place – Colton Ritchey of St. Thomas Catholic • 9th Place – James Grimes of Heritage • 10th Place – Sedaka Robin of Southside • 11th Place – Parker Fishburn of Ada • 12th Place – Jace Wagoner of DeLaSalle 1st Place Match • Ernie Perry III (Airline) 16-1, Jr. over Jacob Elsensohn (Brother Martin) 31-1, So. (Dec 9-2) 3rd Place Match • Alex Ropski (Christian Brothers) 19-6, Jr. over Christopher Strong (Parkway) 16-4, Sr. (Dec 5-3) 5th Place Match • Davis Reiff (Vestavia Hills) 15-9, Jr. over Jesse Maneckshaw (East Ascension) 25-12, So. (Fall 2:58) 7th Place Match • Bryce Hite (Brother Martin) 14-10, Jr. over Colton Ritchey (St. Thomas Catholic) 8-11, Jr. (Dec 6-4) 9th Place Match • James Grimes (Heritage) 6-7, So. over Sedaka Robin (Southside) 9-11, So. (Fall 3:56) 11th Place Match • Parker Fishburn (Ada) 1-6, Sr. over Jace Wagoner (DeLaSalle) 9-22, Fr. (For.) 126 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Wiley Boudreaux of Southside • 2nd Place – Zach Flurry of Vestavia Hills • 3rd Place – Caleb Lavine of Sam Houston • 4th Place – Hunter Chabert of Brother Martin • 5th Place – Mac Chandler of Vestavia Hills • 6th Place – Mason Butler of Christian Brothers • 7th Place – Hastings Roberts of Vestavia Hills • 8th Place – Peyton Plunkett of Parkway • 9th Place – Nicholas Williams of Eagle`s Landing • 10th Place – Jack Sipnewski of Houston • 11th Place – Matthew Meyer of Brother Martin • 12th Place – Shane Barbarin of DeLaSalle • 13th Place – Luis Ramos of Christian Brothers • 14th Place – Jayden Guillory of Basile • 15th Place – Jack Malone of Houston • 16th Place – Joshua Wakefield of East Ascension • 17th Place – Rhett Sherk of Holy Innocents` • 18th Place – Joseph Bores of Airline • 19th Place – Bryce McCoy of Eagle`s Landing • 20th Place – Wilkes Hawkins of St. Thomas Catholic • 21st Place – Rocco Hill of St. Thomas Catholic 1st Place Match • Wiley Boudreaux (Southside) 19-2, Jr. over Zach Flurry (Vestavia Hills) 13-1, Sr. (Fall 4:48) 3rd Place Match • Caleb Lavine (Sam Houston) 35-3, Fr. over Hunter Chabert (Brother Martin) 28-8, So. (Dec 5-2) 5th Place Match • Mac Chandler (Vestavia Hills) 15-6, So. over Mason Butler (Christian Brothers) 16-11, Fr. (Dec 1-0) 7th Place Match • Hastings Roberts (Vestavia Hills) 19-7, Jr. over Peyton Plunkett (Parkway) 14-5, Jr. (MD 15-5) 9th Place Match • Nicholas Williams (Eagle`s Landing) 8-6, Sr. over Jack Sipnewski (Houston) 15-11, Fr. (Dec 12-7) 11th Place Match • Matthew Meyer (Brother Martin) 8-5, Jr. over Shane Barbarin (DeLaSalle) 18-17, Jr. (Dec 6-3) 13th Place Match • Luis Ramos (Christian Brothers) 8-9, Sr. over Jayden Guillory (Basile) 2-6, Jr. (Fall 0:59) 15th Place Match • Jack Malone (Houston) 13-14, Jr. over Joshua Wakefield (East Ascension) 14-22, So. (Fall 4:29) 17th Place Match • Rhett Sherk (Holy Innocents`) 14-8, Sr. over Joseph Bores (Airline) 5-16, Fr. (Fall 1:00) 19th Place Match • Bryce McCoy (Eagle`s Landing) 13-11, Jr. over Wilkes Hawkins (St. Thomas Catholic) 1-6, So. (Fall 2:29) 21st Place Match • Rocco Hill (St. Thomas Catholic) 0-9, Jr. over () , . (Bye) 23rd Place Match • () , . over () , . (Bye) 132 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Mason Elsensohn of Brother Martin • 2nd Place – Wills Bronson of Christian Brothers • 3rd Place – Hunter Sturgill of Heritage • 4th Place – Lucas Maneckshaw of East Ascension • 5th Place – Ty Duncan of Brother Martin • 6th Place – Christopher Bacot of Parkway • 7th Place – Jacob Geiser of Houston • 8th Place – Terry Moore of Holy Innocents` • 9th Place – Jacob Brupbacher of Brother Martin • 10th Place – Jackson Lang of St. Thomas Catholic • 11th Place – Tomarian Hardin of Eagle`s Landing • 12th Place – Malachi Benetrix of DeLaSalle • 13th Place – Carver Gregory of Ada • 14th Place – Jacob Prochaska of St. Thomas Catholic • 15th Place – Hayden Serigne of Brother Martin • 16th Place – Waylon Carter of Airline 1st Place Match • Mason Elsensohn (Brother Martin) 28-1, Sr. over Wills Bronson (Christian Brothers) 17-6, Jr. (Dec 7-5) 3rd Place Match • Hunter Sturgill (Heritage) 16-1, Fr. over Lucas Maneckshaw (East Ascension) 25-8, So. (Fall 1:55) 5th Place Match • Ty Duncan (Brother Martin) 26-10, Jr. over Christopher Bacot (Parkway) 14-5, Jr. (Fall 2:40) 7th Place Match • Jacob Geiser (Houston) 17-11, So. over Terry Moore (Holy Innocents`) 7-7, Jr. (Dec 1-0) 9th Place Match • Jacob Brupbacher (Brother Martin) 10-6, Jr. over Jackson Lang (St. Thomas Catholic) 6-11, So. (Fall 1:25) 11th Place Match • Tomarian Hardin (Eagle`s Landing) 12-8, So. over Malachi Benetrix (DeLaSalle) 16-15, Fr. (Dec 9-7) 13th Place Match • Carver Gregory (Ada) 2-5, Fr. over Jacob Prochaska (St. Thomas Catholic) 2-7, Fr. (Fall 4:12) 15th Place Match • Hayden Serigne (Brother Martin) 8-9, So. over Waylon Carter (Airline) 1-16, Jr. (Fall 0:36) 138 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Art Martinez of Holy Innocents` • 2nd Place – David Viers of Parkway • 3rd Place – Nicholas Cusimano of Brother Martin • 4th Place – Andrew Sullivan of Vestavia Hills • 5th Place – Braden Hite of Brother Martin • 6th Place – Caiden Bordelon of Brother Martin • 7th Place – Dylan Amedee of East Ascension • 8th Place – Brevan Fields of Basile • 9th Place – Maeson Otwell of Pace • 10th Place – Jose Palma of Ada • 11th Place – Sean Bell of Airline • 12th Place – Smith Westbrook of Christian Brothers • 13th Place – Jackson Knower of St. Thomas Catholic • 14th Place – Wyatt Condon of Brother Martin • 15th Place – Austin Deshotel of St. Thomas Catholic • 16th Place – Zayin Bates of Eagle`s Landing 1st Place Match • Art Martinez (Holy Innocents`) 19-0, Sr. over David Viers (Parkway) 15-1, Sr. (Dec 8-3) 3rd Place Match • Nicholas Cusimano (Brother Martin) 21-3, Jr. over Andrew Sullivan (Vestavia Hills) 23-6, Fr. (Fall 2:17) 5th Place Match • Braden Hite (Brother Martin) 11-5, So. over Caiden Bordelon (Brother Martin) 3-4, Jr. (Dec 7-5) 7th Place Match • Dylan Amedee (East Ascension) 13-17, Jr. over Brevan Fields (Basile) 2-4, Sr. (Fall 3:16) 9th Place Match • Maeson Otwell (Pace) 13-4, Fr. over Jose Palma (Ada) 3-3, Jr. (Dec 4-3) 11th Place Match • Sean Bell (Airline) 7-6, Sr. over Smith Westbrook (Christian Brothers) 6-13, Jr. (Fall 1:00) 13th Place Match • Jackson Knower (St. Thomas Catholic) 6-12, Jr. over Wyatt Condon (Brother Martin) 3-8, Fr. (Dec 5-0) 15th Place Match • Austin Deshotel (St. Thomas Catholic) 4-14, Jr. over Zayin Bates (Eagle`s Landing) 1-18, Jr. (Fall 4:29) 145 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Kent Burandt of Brother Martin • 2nd Place – Jonathan Weissbach of Parkway • 3rd Place – Liam O`Connor of DeLaSalle • 4th Place – Gregory Walker of East Ascension • 5th Place – Rory Horvath of Brother Martin • 6th Place – Luc Johnson of Basile • 7th Place – Gavin Gautier of Archbishop Hannan • 8th Place – Drake Bowers of Christian Brothers • 9th Place – Grant Taylor of Vestavia Hills • 10th Place – Emerson White of Houston • 11th Place – Dominic Considine of St. Thomas Catholic • 12th Place – Kyle Chauvin of Brother Martin • 13th Place – Tai LeBlanc of Brother Martin • 14th Place – Ian Theriot of Southside • 15th Place – Kyle Manuel of Airline 1st Place Match • Kent Burandt (Brother Martin) 23-6, Jr. over Jonathan Weissbach (Parkway) 13-2, Sr. (MD 15-3) 3rd Place Match • Liam O`Connor (DeLaSalle) 7-1, Jr. over Gregory Walker (East Ascension) 20-9, Sr. (Fall 3:47) 5th Place Match • Rory Horvath (Brother Martin) 21-11, Fr. over Luc Johnson (Basile) 3-3, Jr. (Dec 3-1) 7th Place Match • Gavin Gautier (Archbishop Hannan) 13-5, Sr. over Drake Bowers (Christian Brothers) 13-8, So. (Dec 3-2) 9th Place Match • Grant Taylor (Vestavia Hills) 15-7, Sr. over Emerson White (Houston) 11-11, Sr. (Fall 2:30) 11th Place Match • Dominic Considine (St. Thomas Catholic) 9-8, Jr. over Kyle Chauvin (Brother Martin) 1-5, So. (Fall 2:14) 13th Place Match • Tai LeBlanc (Brother Martin) 11-10, Jr. over Ian Theriot (Southside) 7-11, Jr. (Fall 2:56) 15th Place Match • Kyle Manuel (Airline) 4-13, So. over () , . (Bye) 152 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Tre` Ivy of Ada • 2nd Place – Jordan Baxter of Pace • 3rd Place – Clay Johnston of Vestavia Hills • 4th Place – Ryan Corca of Brother Martin • 5th Place – Mario Robledo of Christian Brothers • 6th Place – Britt Hilton of Holy Innocents` • 7th Place – Luke Fontenot of Basile • 8th Place – Daven Calvaruso of East Ascension • 9th Place – Preston Gautier of Archbishop Hannan • 10th Place – Aaron Sweatt of Christian Brothers • 11th Place – Barrett McMillin of Houston • 12th Place – Clay Barnes of Vestavia Hills • 13th Place – Ben Brown of St. Thomas Catholic • 14th Place – Jack Capriotti of Holy Innocents` • 15th Place – Zachary Gutierrez of Brother Martin • 16th Place – Ashten Dean of Parkway • 17th Place – Jake Allelo of Brother Martin • 18th Place – Corey McDonald of Brother Martin • 19th Place – William Westbrook of Christian Brothers • 20th Place – Alonzo Jones of Eagle`s Landing 1st Place Match • Tre` Ivy (Ada) 6-1, Sr. over Jordan Baxter (Pace) 15-3, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:58 (16-0)) 3rd Place Match • Clay Johnston (Vestavia Hills) 11-1, Jr. over Ryan Corca (Brother Martin) 26-14, Sr. (Fall 4:03) 5th Place Match • Mario Robledo (Christian Brothers) 13-3, Sr. over Britt Hilton (Holy Innocents`) 15-9, Sr. (Dec 8-1) 7th Place Match • Luke Fontenot (Basile) 4-3, Jr. over Daven Calvaruso (East Ascension) 14-20, Jr. (UTB 3-2) 9th Place Match • Preston Gautier (Archbishop Hannan) 20-4, Jr. over Aaron Sweatt (Christian Brothers) 10-6, Jr. (MD 13-4) 11th Place Match • Barrett McMillin (Houston) 11-11, So. over Clay Barnes (Vestavia Hills) 7-8, Jr. (Dec 7-4) 13th Place Match • Ben Brown (St. Thomas Catholic) 6-12, Jr. over Jack Capriotti (Holy Innocents`) 3-6, Jr. (Dec 10-4) 15th Place Match • Zachary Gutierrez (Brother Martin) 5-6, So. over Ashten Dean (Parkway) 9-11, Fr. (Dec 7-2) 17th Place Match • Jake Allelo (Brother Martin) 12-8, Jr. over Corey McDonald (Brother Martin) 3-7, Fr. (Fall 1:37) 19th Place Match • William Westbrook (Christian Brothers) 4-10, Fr. over Alonzo Jones (Eagle`s Landing) 1-13, Jr. (For.) 21st Place Match • () , . over () , . (Bye) 23rd Place Match • () , . over () , . (Bye) 160 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Atticus Waters of Pace • 2nd Place – Grayson Pennison of Archbishop Hannan • 3rd Place – Santos Ramos of East Ascension • 4th Place – Sam Cordova of St. Thomas Catholic • 5th Place – Kaden Gallagher of Ada • 6th Place – Samuel Riles of Brother Martin • 7th Place – Gabriel Pierre of Brother Martin • 8th Place – Brendon Earnest of Parkway • 9th Place – Nick Morgan of Holy Innocents` • 10th Place – Collin Tobin of Christian Brothers • 11th Place – Isaiah Fagg of Heritage • 12th Place – JB Coyle of Ada • 13th Place – Parker Fontenot of Basile • 14th Place – Ethan Seals of DeLaSalle • 15th Place – Marrion Robinson of Eagle`s Landing 1st Place Match • Atticus Waters (Pace) 18-1, Sr. over Grayson Pennison (Archbishop Hannan) 11-1, Sr. (MD 13-4) 3rd Place Match • Santos Ramos (East Ascension) 17-1, Sr. over Sam Cordova (St. Thomas Catholic) 13-6, Jr. (Fall 1:26) 5th Place Match • Kaden Gallagher (Ada) 4-3, Jr. over Samuel Riles (Brother Martin) 21-13, Jr. (Fall 0:54) 7th Place Match • Gabriel Pierre (Brother Martin) 13-9, Sr. over Brendon Earnest (Parkway) 13-6, Sr. (Fall 1:33) 9th Place Match • Nick Morgan (Holy Innocents`) 10-5, So. over Collin Tobin (Christian Brothers) 8-9, Fr. (Fall 3:32) 11th Place Match • Isaiah Fagg (Heritage) 10-6, Sr. over JB Coyle (Ada) 2-5, Fr. (Fall 0:25) 13th Place Match • Parker Fontenot (Basile) 3-4, Jr. over Ethan Seals (DeLaSalle) 8-17, Sr. (Fall 1:53) 15th Place Match • Marrion Robinson (Eagle`s Landing) 10-12, Jr. over () , . (Bye) 170 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Aidan Bowers of Christian Brothers • 2nd Place – Rocco Horvath of Brother Martin • 3rd Place – Luke Robertson of DeLaSalle • 4th Place – Gabriel Bonin of East Ascension • 5th Place – Henry Tate of Houston • 6th Place – Ty Morgan of Pace • 7th Place – Will Johnson of Ada • 8th Place – Major McPherson of Parkway • 9th Place – William Douglass of Vestavia Hills • 10th Place – Jacob Queflander of Basile • 11th Place – Draven Dixon of Walker • 12th Place – Porter Garza of St. Thomas Catholic 1st Place Match • Aidan Bowers (Christian Brothers) 17-1, Sr. over Rocco Horvath (Brother Martin) 30-1, Sr. (Dec 5-3) 3rd Place Match • Luke Robertson (DeLaSalle) 17-2, Jr. over Gabriel Bonin (East Ascension) 24-9, Jr. (Dec 11-7) 5th Place Match • Henry Tate (Houston) 24-8, Jr. over Ty Morgan (Pace) 12-8, Jr. (MD 17-4) 7th Place Match • Will Johnson (Ada) 3-5, Fr. over Major McPherson (Parkway) 8-12, Fr. (Fall 2:12) 9th Place Match • William Douglass (Vestavia Hills) 15-11, Jr. over Jacob Queflander (Basile) 2-5, Sr. (Fall 4:36) 11th Place Match • Draven Dixon (Walker) 3-9, Fr. over Porter Garza (St. Thomas Catholic) 0-11, Fr. (Fall 1:52) 182 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Luke Malveaux of St. Thomas Catholic • 2nd Place – Gervacio Gonzalez of Christian Brothers • 3rd Place – James Gleeson of Holy Innocents` • 4th Place – Jason Krail of DeLaSalle • 5th Place – John Edwards of Vestavia Hills • 6th Place – Corey Holmes of East Ascension • 7th Place – Jagger Caldwell of Ada • 8th Place – Issaih Waters of Pace • 9th Place – Ethan Albarado of Parkway • 10th Place – Kaiden Romien of Southside • 11th Place – Aidan Wieber of Brother Martin • 12th Place – Brendon Brooks of Airline • 13th Place – Zack Hanley of Walker 1st Place Match • Luke Malveaux (St. Thomas Catholic) 8-0, Jr. over Gervacio Gonzalez (Christian Brothers) 14-1, Sr. (M. For.) 3rd Place Match • James Gleeson (Holy Innocents`) 7-2, Sr. over Jason Krail (DeLaSalle) 26-8, Jr. (Fall 0:42) 5th Place Match • John Edwards (Vestavia Hills) 15-3, Sr. over Corey Holmes (East Ascension) 21-6, Sr. (Dec 11-5) 7th Place Match • Jagger Caldwell (Ada) 2-3, So. over Issaih Waters (Pace) 10-7, So. (Dec 6-5) 9th Place Match • Ethan Albarado (Parkway) 7-3, Jr. over Kaiden Romien (Southside) 11-6, Sr. (Fall 1:31) 11th Place Match • Aidan Wieber (Brother Martin) 8-10, So. over Brendon Brooks (Airline) 2-7, Jr. (Fall 4:46) 13th Place Match • Zack Hanley (Walker) 0-8, Sr. over () , . (Bye) 15th Place Match • () , . over () , . (Bye) 195 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Cameron Cavins of Christian Brothers • 2nd Place – David Dirmann of Houston • 3rd Place – Jacob Schexnaydre of East Ascension • 4th Place – Riggs Manown of Vestavia Hills • 5th Place – Wade Rist of Archbishop Hannan • 6th Place – Trace Langin of St. Thomas Catholic • 7th Place – Logan Prince of Ada • 8th Place – Jayce Parks of Parkway • 9th Place – Danon Walker of Airline • 10th Place – Trip Inglesby of Holy Innocents` • 11th Place – Roman Noel of Eagle`s Landing • 12th Place – Braden Paetz of Walker • 14th Place – William Thomas of Ada 1st Place Match • Cameron Cavins (Christian Brothers) 15-1, Sr. over David Dirmann (Houston) 16-9, Sr. (Dec 3-0) 3rd Place Match • Jacob Schexnaydre (East Ascension) 24-5, Jr. over Riggs Manown (Vestavia Hills) 17-8, Jr. (Dec 7-2) 5th Place Match • Wade Rist (Archbishop Hannan) 13-5, Jr. over Trace Langin (St. Thomas Catholic) 9-8, Fr. (Fall 0:38) 7th Place Match • Logan Prince (Ada) 3-3, Jr. over Jayce Parks (Parkway) 6-8, Jr. (Fall 3:52) 9th Place Match • Danon Walker (Airline) 12-10, Fr. over Trip Inglesby (Holy Innocents`) 6-9, Jr. (Fall 4:01) 11th Place Match • Roman Noel (Eagle`s Landing) 2-10, Jr. over Braden Paetz (Walker) 4-5, Fr. (Fall 0:50) 13th Place Match • () , . over () , . (Bye) 15th Place Match • () , . over () , . (Bye) 220 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Timbrook Hodge of Christian Brothers • 2nd Place – Hale Wood of Pace • 3rd Place – Jack Branson of Christian Brothers • 4th Place – Julian Tapia of Brother Martin • 5th Place – Nathan Slagter of Houston • 6th Place – Joey Juneau of Airline • 7th Place – Evan Huling of Brother Martin • 8th Place – John David Livingston of Vestavia Hills • 9th Place – Caden Balthrop of Ada • 10th Place – Michael Kanakidis of St. Thomas Catholic • 11th Place – Abd Alaziz Zeidan of Parkway • 12th Place – Earl Reed of DeLaSalle • 13th Place – Steven Goetze of Holy Innocents` • 14th Place – Mario Morales of St. Thomas Catholic • 15th Place – Malik Welch of Eagle`s Landing 1st Place Match • Timbrook Hodge (Christian Brothers) 16-0, Sr. over Hale Wood (Pace) 11-3, Sr. (Fall 2:36) 3rd Place Match • Jack Branson (Christian Brothers) 13-8, So. over Julian Tapia (Brother Martin) 8-3, Sr. (Dec 5-0) 5th Place Match • Nathan Slagter (Houston) 11-9, Jr. over Joey Juneau (Airline) 5-11, So. (Fall 2:36) 7th Place Match • Evan Huling (Brother Martin) 16-8, Jr. over John David Livingston (Vestavia Hills) 13-11, Fr. (Dec 7-2) 9th Place Match • Caden Balthrop (Ada) 3-2, Jr. over Michael Kanakidis (St. Thomas Catholic) 4-4, So. (Dec 6-1) 11th Place Match • Abd Alaziz Zeidan (Parkway) 8-5, So. over Earl Reed (DeLaSalle) 6-9, So. (Fall 4:37) 13th Place Match • Steven Goetze (Holy Innocents`) 3-9, Sr. over Mario Morales (St. Thomas Catholic) 3-7, Sr. (Fall 0:56) 15th Place Match • Malik Welch (Eagle`s Landing) 3-14, So. over () , . (Bye) 285 Guaranteed Places • 1st Place – Jahlil McKenney of Eagle`s Landing • 2nd Place – Anphrony Guillory of Basile • 3rd Place – Mitch Taylor of Vestavia Hills • 4th Place – Tayvon Patterson of Airline • 5th Place – Jake Morton of Parkway • 6th Place – Tim Donelon of DeLaSalle • 7th Place – Austin Williams of Christian Brothers • 8th Place – Tyler Langin of St. Thomas Catholic • 9th Place – Chaney Phillips of Brother Martin • 10th Place – Jacob Thomas of Ada • 11th Place – Gabe Millbern of Walker 1st Place Match • Jahlil McKenney (Eagle`s Landing) 28-4, Sr. over Anphrony Guillory (Basile) 6-1, Sr. (Fall 0:23) 3rd Place Match • Mitch Taylor (Vestavia Hills) 23-5, Jr. over Tayvon Patterson (Airline) 9-5, Sr. (Fall 2:21) 5th Place Match • Jake Morton (Parkway) 5-4, Jr. over Tim Donelon (DeLaSalle) 8-7, Sr. (Fall 1:57) 7th Place Match • Austin Williams (Christian Brothers) 17-10, Fr. over Tyler Langin (St. Thomas Catholic) 5-6, Jr. (For.) 9th Place Match • Chaney Phillips (Brother Martin) 20-8, Sr. over Jacob Thomas (Ada) 1-5, So. (Fall 4:20) 11th Place Match • Gabe Millbern (Walker) 8-9, So. over () , . (Bye)

McCallie, Tullahoma Prevail In Day Of Duals Seven Wrestling Teams Gathered At McCallie For Extra Work Before Holiday Wednesday, December 22, 2021 - by John Hunt There were no team champions crowned or even individual ones for that matter as seven high school wrestling teams gathered at McCallie’s Athetic and Activities Center on Wednesday morning for a Day of Duals. We’re almost to Christmas and there are no tournaments or dual meets in the coming days, so all of these coaches decided to come to McCallie for a few extra matches and a chance to just see which newcomer might make a difference in the coming weeks. McCallie and Tullahoma both won three matches while Pigeon Forge headed home with three wins in four matches. Notre Dame and Boyd Buchanan were both 1-2 while Soddy Daisy was 1-3 and Walker Valley 0-4. “This was just a chance to get a few extra matches as there’s just too much time between now and our next dual meet,” said McCallie coach Jake Yost, noting that his team’s next match is on Jan. 6 at Notre Dame. “I thought we did a good job for the most part, but we always have something to work on. Right now, we’re young and inexperienced, but we’re getting better,” Yost added. Tullahoma coach Al Morris had similar feelings. “This is a great way to go out before Christmas,” he said. “We needed to get some work in and this was a good chance to do that. Also, it gives us a chance to wrestle teams that we normally wouldn’t face, so it was a good experience for us,” he added. Pigeon Forge has won the last three Division I, Class A-AA state titles and right now the don’t even have a winning record, but it was a good decision for coach Greg Foreman as he prepares his team for another championship run. “This is a great opportunity for our kids to get some extra matches before Christmas and it’s been a good day for us,” Foreman said between matches. “We have a bunch of kids who played football and they’re not all in wrestling shape yet, but it was very much worth our while to come here today. It’s all about what we do in February that counts, but events like today help us get ready for that,” Foreman said. “We have to get better, but this is one way of doing that,” said Notre Dame coach Tim Voiles. “We just needed more match time before Christmas and this was the perfect chance for that, but we’ll take a few days off and then come back ready to work again,” he explained. It has certainly been a challenging early season for Soddy Daisy and young coach Eric Winesburgh. “For what we brought here today, I thought we fought hard, but we can’t seem to shake the flu and other illnesses. We had a few bright spots as some of our younger kids did well, but we just have a bunch of kids with very little wrestling experience and that learning process isn’t always easy,” he said with a positive note. Walker Valley coach Allan Morris is facing the same challenge with young and inexperienced wrestlers. “We’re missing some kids as some are out of town, but we certainly have a lot of growing to do. We had a couple of young guys who went out and really battled today while we also had some of our older kids who are ready for the Christmas break,” Morris said before heading toward the parking lot. Boyd Buchanan coach Michael Sutherland doesn’t have very kids on his team, but he’s working hard to change the culture at a school where wrestling never has been a focal point of the athletic program. “We have some good ones, but just not enough to field an entire team,” he explained. “Forfeits hurt as there is nothing we can do about that, but we’re going our best to change the culture at our school. I’m really proud of our effort and I feel like we won more than we lost. We just have to get more kids on the mat,” he added. Wednesday’s dual-meet scores included: McCallie 50, Soddy Daisy 30 Boyd Buchanan 48, Walker Valley 30 Pigeon Forge 52, Notre Dame 22 Soddy Daisy 48, Walker Valley 30 Tullahoma 43, Notre Dame 27 Pigeon Forge 42, Boyd Buchanan 30 McCallie 42, Boyd Buchanan 35 Tullahoma 47, Soddy Daisy 27 Pigeon Forge 33, Walker Valley 29 McCallie 66, Walker Valley 18 Tullahoma 41, Pigeon Forge 37 Notre Dame 49, Soddy Daisy 30. (Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com) ———————— To the next level, Hey NC Neighbors!! Not too shabby… The Hawkeyes’ four-point win over the Wolfpack is their narrowest of the year. The last time Iowa won by fewer than five points in a dual was against Penn State on Jan. 31, 2019. The Hawkeyes downed the Nittany Lions in that match, 19-17. North Carolina State is the highest-ranked team Iowa has defeated this year. The Hawkeyes are now 6-0 in duals in 2021-22…… LOOK HOW THEY MADE IT CLOSE!!! Results 125 POUNDS: SPENCER LEE (IA) over Jake Camacho (NCST) via 6-1 decision 133 POUNDS: AUSTIN DeSANTO (IA) over Kai Orine (NCST) via 16-7 major decision 141 POUNDS: JAYDIN EIERMAN (IA) over Ryan Jack (NCST) via 7-6 decision 149 POUNDS: Tariq Wilson (NCST) over COBE SIEBRECHT (IA) via 7-3 decision 157 POUNDS: Ed Scott (NCST) over KALEB YOUNG (IA) via fall 165 POUNDS: ALEX MARINELLI (IA) over Donald Cates (NCST) via 7-2 decision 174 POUNDS: Hayden Hidlay (NCST) over NELSON BRANDS (IA) via 4-2 decision 184 POUNDS: Trent Hidlay (NCST) over ABE ASSAD (IA) via 6-0 decision 197 POUNDS: JACOB WARNER (IA) over Isaac Trumble (NCST) via 3-2 decision HEAVYWEIGHT: TONY CASSIOPPI (IA) over Tyrie Houghton (NCST) via 6-2 decision FINAL: Iowa 19, North Carolina State 15 https://dailyiowan.com/2021/12/21/rapid-recap-no-1-iowa-mens-wrestling-claws-by-no-5-north-carolina-state-19-15/

That match I found was 4 years ago. Great showing for Ryan the year!!! Kudos ———————— Baylor had a fine showing up in KC…. Edmond North, Okla., topped Stillwater, Okla., 200.5-199 for the team title. Baylor School of Chattanooga, Tenn., was third at 189. https://www.thekansan.com/story/sports/2021/12/20/newton-wrestling-kansas-city-stampede/8965769002/ ———————- something on Alan JONES… http://www.adotas.com/2021/12/biography-of-allan-jones-w-allan-jones-president/ ———————- Buford comes up to win 31 team field at Bradley Invitational

By the looks of things, UC was happy... https://www.facebook.com/402142266507326/posts/4618715171516660/?d=n Here's an update... https://forums.kentuckywrestling.com/index.php?/topic/14933-union-county-vs-father-ryan-tn/ Sam Bacon dec. 7-2 over Simpson (120).. Union 12-0 Payne Carr Maj. Dec 9-0 over Madson (126)...Union 16-0 Saul Ervin dec. 5-1 over Eason (132)... Union 19-0 Bryce Sheffer pin L. Marfone (138)... Union 25-0 Chance Oxford Tech. Fall F. Marfone (145)... Union 30-0 Father Ryan forfeit 152... Union 30-6 (Micah bumped up to 160 for the dual) Micah Ervin pin Crouch (160)... Union 36-6 Matthias Ervin dec. 8-3 over A Hagey (170)... Union 39-6 Avery Buckman pin Clements (182)... Union 45-6 Father Ryan Forfeit 195... Union 45-12 Wesnafske pinned Hicks (220)... Union 45-18 Hayes pinned Snyder (HWT)... Final score Union 45, Father Ryan 24 ————————————- Champs win; Vikings start wrestling program Jackson Harris of the Vikings wins a decision over his opponent from Lawrence County and claims the first victory in Community wrestling history. T-G PHOTOS BY RICKEY CLARDY PreviousNext Posted Saturday, December 18, 2021 12:05 am By RICKEY CLARDY - Sports Writer The Cascade Champions won twice while the Community Vikings competed in their first wrestling competition in a tri-match Thursday night at Cascade. The Vikings started the night with a match against the Lawrence County Wildcats. Community made history off the bat as Jackson Harris won the first match in Viking history with a 13-4 decision over his opponent. Despite the Wildcat 42-10 win, another highlight was Alex Stanley pinning his opponent in the last class of the match. The Champions came out strong in their initial appearance in match two and finished with a 45-16 victory over Lawrence County. Cascade had nine winners in the match as Landon Kling, Vayden Moore, David Bass, Hayden Dowell, and Dylan Warren were victorious via pins over their opponents. Chase Sutter, Isaiah Smith, and Waylon Napier were also victors while Isaac Chapa won on a forfeit. The experience of the Champions showed in the final match of the evening as the Champs blanked the Vikings 66-0. Michael Martin, Taylor Dowell, Bass, Hayden Dowell, Chapa, Warren, and Kling won on pins while Moore, Sutter, Smith, and Napier recorded wins by forfeit. ——————— https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://heraldcourier.com/sports/bobby-bates-wrestling-classic-fortuner-leads-rural-retreat-to-second-place/article_ce8d177a-607d-11ec-825f-830548811561.html&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoUMTcwNDkxNDc4MTU1NzU2OTM3MzIyGmQ4ODQ3ZGNkYWExYTg4NGU6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNFFnAkVXxxaIvkfodyUJX-pM8y6fA

The previous list has Tennessee ahead of Ga?!?!? And here’s another… Top HS wrestling states based on college performance… gotta hear what people think. Here’s one: Top 5 (can change by year): Iowa Pennsylvania Illinois California Oklahoma Honorable mentions: Rest of Midwest Arizona New York This is what you see the most at the collegiate level which is what most people base it from. Also collegiate level goes further than D1. https://www.facebook.com/groups/WrestlersOnlyGroup/permalink/4761847750579016/ ——————— Here’s Some Exceptional Mid-Tn Coverage… Wrestle like a Bruise Brother’: Springfield wrestling returns to winning ways BLAINE KELLAR bkellar@mainstreetmediatn.com 13 hrs ago 1 of 16 Springfield High School's wrestling team celebrates with the Robertson County Cup. BLAINE KELLAR Springfield High School poses with the Robertson County Cup. Hayden Reynolds puts Nathaniel Slough in a headlock. BLAINE KELLAR Springfield coach Christopher Holzer celebrates after his team scores. BLAINE KELLAR Owen Rawls battles with Greenbrier's Ethan White. BLAINE KELLAR Springfield coach Christopher Holzen (right) looks on during a match against Greenbrier. BLAINE KELLAR Springfield's Anson Dickerson tries to bring down Will Kolb. BLAINE KELLAR Joseph Gregory lays atop of Greenbrier's Brian Rankhorn BLAINE KELLAR Members of Greenbrier's wrestling team shout instructions. BLAINE KELLAR Connor Reeves is brought down by Israel Martinez. BLAINE KELLAR Gavin Price is pinned by Greenbrier's Joseph Bullock. BLAINE KELLAR Brody Parnell and Jurgen Sanginez face off in a match. BLAINE KELLAR Nathaniel Slough grabs hold of Hayden Reynolds. BLAINE KELLAR Kyle Watts improved to 11-1 on the season with a win over Neil Baldwin. BLAINE KELLAR East Robertson's Cason Goostree and Mason Hawk battle for positioning. BLAINE KELLAR Greenbrier's Makenzie Dean is brought down in a match against Springfield. BLAINE KELLAR The Bruise Brothers are back. At least that’s what Springfield wrestling coach Christopher Holzer hopes. The Yellow Jackets – also known as The Bruise Brothers on the wrestling mats – picked up three wins against county foes on Friday, Dec. 17. It helped them win the second annual Robertson County Cup at White House Heritage. “Our goal up to this point so far is to show the county that Springfield is back,” Holzer said. “That’s what we did tonight. We showed the county that Springfield’s back, and we plan on continuing to show the county that we’re here.” The Jackets won all three of Friday’s matches against East Robertson, Greenbrier and Heritage by an average of 43 points. In the championship match, Springfield had eight pins in a 54-24 win against the Patriots. “The score showed,” said sophomore Joseph Gregory. “I think that’s just how we work in practice. We are a very physical group, (and) we’re very competitive. We’re willing to work hard to get what we want, and that’s what we want.” Their skull and crossbone singlets serve as reminders of what the Bruise Brothers once were. It’s far more than a simple slogan or team logo; it’s a way of competing that’s lasted in the city for almost 50 years. It originated with coach Randy Thomas in 1976. Thomas worked as the head football and wrestling coach at the time and led the Jackets to their only state football championship in 1993. He was also inducted into the Tennessee Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in October. Thomas embraced a physical style of play in both sports. For wrestling, that meant emphasizing pins and takedowns over three-point wins. His teams’ toughness on the mats helped them finish as the state runner-up for three consecutive seasons (1992-1994). “It’s something that they’re embodying,” Holzer said. “We’re telling them they have to wear that with pride. They have to wrestle with pride. “They have to wrestle like a Bruise Brother to be able to wear that.” The program had recently fallen on hard times, but Holzer is helping the Jackets turn things around. They went winless as a team in 2020 but have won 11 of their first 16 matches this winter. Gregory, one of 13 sophomores on roster, is helping with their growth on and off the mats. He handled all three of Friday’s individual matches with ease and leads the team with a 15-4 record in the 220-pound weight class. “It’s just desire and motivation to be where you want to be,” Gregory said. “It’s not an easy sport at all; you have to come to practice, you have to work hard, you have to do what you want to do and that’s how it is.” Cooper Richards was the last Springfield wrestler to reach the state tournament as an individual, but the Jackets haven’t made a team appearance since 2005. Holzer thinks a trip to the Williamson County Expo Center in February could bring back the Bruise Brothers for good. “We’ve been telling our guys all year long, our goal is to get the team back to the state tournament,” he said. “We want to get back to what Coach Thomas did in the past. “It’s an individual sport but also a huge team thing. With us being the Bruise Brothers, we want to get the Bruise Brothers back to state.” RESULTS: White House Heritage 54, East Robertson 24 Springfield 48, Greenbrier 10 Springfield 66, East Robertson 6 White House Heritage 48, Greenbrier 27 Greenbrier 45, East Robertson 24 Springfield 54, White House Heritage 24 https://www.mainstreetpreps.com/townnews/sport/wrestle-like-a-bruise-brother-springfield-wrestling-returns-to-winning-ways/article_c075e362-5fb8-11ec-a557-c3a52f6fffda.html

Best states… https://www.facebook.com/groups/WrestlersOnlyGroup/permalink/4760155800748211/

LA Wrestling begins 2021 season Pic Members of the 2021 LA Wrestling Team are, from left, Bella Billings, Jacob Folker, Gabe Ford, Parker Billings, Troy Vaughn, Beau McFarland, Powwow Robinson, Noah White, Seth King, Kollin Weitzel, John Geist, and manager Emily Hill. Not pictured are Michael Baker, Dravin Childers, Aiden Cobianponce, Jeffery Moore Jackson Pedigo, and Abby Hix. Livingston Academy Wrestling has officially begun their 2021-2022 season. They are all very excited for what is to come this season. The team recently had matches against Watertown and Upperman on Friday, Dec. 10. Coach Cody Newman shared, “I’m most excited about building a solid foundation. The future’s looking good. We beat Upperman. We haven’t done that in a long time.” The final score against Watertown was 48-30 where LA faced a close loss. LA brought home a very exciting win against Upperman, 48-24. “The boys team is very young. We have 11 out of 14 weight classes filled on the boys side. We have 3 out of 12 weight classes filled on the girls side. The girls team is great, I’m looking forward to what they might be able to accomplish individually,” Coach Newman stated. The boys team is already facing one injury as the season begins of John Geist, a returning state medalist. The county has recently started a middle school wrestling program to help prepare young wrestlers as they approach the high school level. “We started a middle school program, which once again makes the future look promising,” Coach Newman added. The team will compete in a match today, Tuesday, Dec. 14 at Stone Memorial High School. https://www.overtoncountynews.com/sports/la-wrestling-begins-2021-season/article_8a83d95e-5d1e-11ec-a58d-038e549f409c.html ———————- Union County's Stephen Little places fifth in Walsh Ironman Tournament Union County senior Stephen Little placed fifth in the prestigious Walsh Jesuit Ironman Tournament Friday and Saturday in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The Ironman is considered to be one of the toughest folk-style national tournaments in the country. Little, a two-time Kentucky state champion, was seeded 10th in the 190-pound bracket and finished 4-2 in the tournament. He lost to No. 2 seed Rylan Rogers of Coeur D`Alene, Idaho, in overtime 3-1 in the quarterfinals. Rogers has committed to the University of Michigan. Little's other loss came to No. 5 seed Hayden Walters of Crescent Valley in Corvallis, Oregon in a tiebreaker in the consolation bracket. Braves third at Ryle Rumble The rest of Union County's varsity team finished third in the Ryle Raider Rumble in Northern Kentucky on Saturday. Jayden Raney (106), Jordyn Raney (113) and Corithian Seales-Portee (215) won their weight classes. Hunter Jenkins was the runner-up at 120, while Paxton Ervin finished third at 175. Union County's other placers were Davis Pike and Jeremy Ray, fifth; Luke Thomas, seventh and Glen Mayes, eighth. Union County will host Father Ryan of Nashville in a dual Saturday at 11 a.m. https://www.thegleaner.com/story/sports/2021/12/14/union-countys-stephen-little-places-fifth-walsh-ironman-tournament/6506392001/ ———————— https://www.flowrestling.org/events/7248613-walsh-ironman-2021/videos?playing=7255456 https://www.flowrestling.org/events/7248613-walsh-ironman-2021/videos?playing=7265110 https://www.flowrestling.org/events/7248613-walsh-ironman-2021/videos?playing=7255456 https://www.flowrestling.org/events/7248613-walsh-ironman-2021/videos?playing=7262995 https://www.flowrestling.org/events/7248613-walsh-ironman-2021/videos?playing=7262858 https://www.flowrestling.org/events/7248613-walsh-ironman-2021/videos?playing=7261854 https://www.flowrestling.org/events/7248613-walsh-ironman-2021/videos?playing=7263300

Kudos for bringing wrestling to Gallatin !!

The Ironman… Powerhouse of a tournament going on up in Ohio, with a few Tennessee teams as well as union county Kentucky and other traditionally strong teams of course… https://news.theopenmat.com/high-school-wrestling/the-2021-walsh-jesuit-ironman-is-underway/86045 Individual rankings http://walshjesuitironman.com/2021-seeds/ —————- McMinn wrestling falls to Howard, Bradley Central From staff reports CLEVELAND – McMinn County wrestling lost twice Tuesday at Bradley Central High School. The Cherokees fell to Howard 42-36, mostly due to forfeits. Kyle Cooley, Jack Boggess, Joseph Douglas, Bryson Price and Kael Walden won their individual matches against Howard. McMinn then lost 66-9 to hosting Bradley. Boggess and Cooley picked up individual match wins against the Bears. The Tribe is back in action 9 a.m. Saturday in a tournament at Stone Memorial High School in Crossville. https://www.dailypostathenian.com/sports/article_ad8809d2-593d-11ec-98a9-6fd3d8bd5c7e.html ————————— Top-Ranked Cleveland Wrestlers Rally To Win Blue Raiders Trailed 21-11 Before Beating Father Ryan In 33-24 Thriller Friday, December 10, 2021 - by John Hunt CLEVELAND, Tenn. – It has become a tradition for Father Ryan and Cleveland to wrestle on the Friday night before the Al Miller Cleveland Duals as these two great teams don’t wrestle any other time. It’s normally a great match between two well-coached teams and that was certainly the case on Friday at the Jones Wrestling Center. Cleveland is ranked first in the initial state mat poll while the Purple Irish are sixth, but the Blue Raiders didn’t look like it as they had to come from behind to record the 33-24 victory. Both teams won seven matches, but the difference was bonus points. Six of Ryan’s seven wins were by regular decision with the other being a pin. Cleveland won two regular decisions, but got bonus points with one major decision, one technical fall and three pins. Cleveland remains unbeaten at 9-0 while Friday’s loss was the first for the guys from Nashville after five straight wins to start the season. Cleveland coach Joey Knox is normally the most relaxed and laid-back coach you know, but that wasn’t the case on Friday as he did more yelling than ever before as he tried to motivate his kids to put forth more effort. If you really want to get down to it, the Blue Raiders were lucky to win as they were clearly out-wrestled from the first match to the last. Knox gave his team a “five” for their effort, but he knows as well as anyone that this one could easily have gone either way. “Father Ryan definitely pushed us as they came ready to wrestle,” Knox said after a lengthy talk with his team at the end. “We somehow found a way to win. We still have a lot of room to improve. There were a lot of questionable calls, but most just happened to go our way. “Father Ryan is a really good team and they pushed us to a point where we were uncomfortable, but I’m just thankful we found a way,” Knox added. Bentley Ellison got Cleveland off and running with a technical fall at 120 while Blake Randall added a first-period pin three matches later. The Purple Irish countered with six wins in seven matches following the opener and had a 21-11 lead following a pin by Joey Terry at 170, but that’s when the Blue Raiders got serious and started acting like they wanted to win. Jax Ernest got a 5-4 decision at 182 to make it 21-14 before Tetoe Boyd got the Blue Raiders within a point following a first-period pin at 195. Jared Canalas somehow pulled out a 3-1 overtime decision at 220 before Ashton Davis sealed the win with a pin in 40 seconds at 285. Zach Bosken put a little icing on the cake with a major decision at 106 before Ryan's Joseph Calvin won the final match at 113 with an overtime decision. Ryan coach Pat Simpson felt like the match was much closer than the final score might indicate. “We lost two close matches by decisions that would have changed the outcome had we won both of them, but we just came here tonight hoping to compete and win a few matches,” Simpson said with a smile on his face. “We have to be able to compete with teams like Cleveland if we ever want to beat Baylor, but those guys make you fight to the end. I thought we looked good on our feet and I’m really pleased with our overall effort, but we had no room for error tonight as this was a real test for us,” he added. Perhaps the best match of the evening took place at 145 pounds where Ryan’s Chancey Dean came from behind to record a stirring 8-7 victory over Cleveland’s Hagen Cooper. Dean trailed 2-1 after the first period and was still behind 6-4 with two minutes to go. Starting in the down position, Dean evened the score at 6-6 with a reversal before Cooper took a 7-6 lead with an escape. Then with the match on the line, Dean scored the all-important takedown with 29 seconds left and was able to hang on for the win. Another great individual battle took place at 132 where Ryan’s Calvin Eason rallied from a 7-5 deficit to beat Arlo Laxton, 9-7. Both of these teams will be battling on Saturday and could possibly meet again in the finals as they’re in different pools. Woodland, Bradley, Summit and Cleveland JV join the Purple Irish in one pool while Rossview, Arlington, Gilmer County and Blackman join the Blue Raiders in the other pool. Pool matches begin at 8:30 with the championship match expected to begin around 3:30 or so. CLEVELAND 33, FATHER RYAN 24 (Match began at 120 pounds) 106 – Zach Bosken (Clev) major dec. Ethan Lampert, 14-4; 113 – Joseph Calvin (Ryan) dec. Daniel Sims, 5-3 in overtime; 120 – Bentley Ellison (Clev) won by technical fall over Brody Gobbell, 3:59; 126 – Cason Roark (Ryan) dec. Logan Fowler, 7-4; 132 – Calvin Eason (Ryan) dec. Arlo Laxton, 9-7; 138 – Blake Randall (Clev) pinned Patrick McGrady, 1:19; 145 – Chancey Dean (Ryan) dec. Hagen Cooper, 8-7; 152 – Matt Oberlander (Ryan) dec. Cy Fowler, 7-4; 160 – Ben Stigamier (Ryan) dec. Lucas Syzbroski, 7-2; 170 – Joey Terry (Ryan) pinned Dave Giraldo, 3:50; 182 – Jax Ernest (Clev) dec. Benjamin Marchetti, 5-4; 195 – Tetoe Boyd (Clev) pinned Tim Brunett, 1:57; 220 – Jared Canalas (Clev) dec. William McGrady, 3-1 in overtime; 285 – Ashton Davis (Clev) pinned Abraham Cromartie, :40. (email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

Let’s get back to all in one!!!

Wrestling: Fairview edges Page; Summit goes 3-0 Herald Sports Dec 8, 2021 Updated Dec 8 Buy Now Will Parcel Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam The Fairview High School wrestling team scored a narrow 40-36 win against longtime rival Page Tuesday night in Fairview. Boe Sanderson pinned Page’s Reese Olsen late in the second round in the 170-pound division to secure the victory for Fairview. The Patriots had built a 36-24 lead when Josh Ward earned a fall at 152 in the third to last match of the dual. Fairview’s Malachi Bennett won by forfeit at 160 to set the stage for the dramatic finish. In other area action, Centennial posted a 51-30 win over Overton and a 69-6 win against Northeast. Independence also defeated Northeast 66-12. Both Ravenwood and Nolensville battled in a double-dual at Siegel as well. Ravenwood posted a 46-33 win over Siegel and a 69-9 victory against Smyrna. Separately, Summit grapplers went 3-0 Tuesday with a 51-15 win over Dickson County, a 57-6 victory against Forrest and a 72-12 win over Antioch on a busy Tuesday that included the return of several football players to the lineup. Fairview def. Page, 40-36 182 – Will Parcel, PHS, dec. Marco Pukl, 8-7; 195 – Ken Curtis, FVHS, won by forfeit; 220 – Arie Donaldson, FVHS, pinned Caleb Meeks, 1:17; 285 – Allen Reynolds, FVHS, pinned Ronan O’Connell, 1:46; 106 – Jeremiah McDougall, PHS, won by forfeit; 113 – Cosmo O’Neal, PHS, dec. Hunter Mugnier, 6-4; 120 – Nathan Simpson, PHS, pinned Michael Maguire, 0:24; 126 – Thomas Brown, PHS, pinned Josh Helm, 1:45; 132 – Sam Frank, FVHS, maj. dec. Cannon Drake, 11-2; 138 – Grant Hawkinson, PHS, pinned Payton Mitchell, 3:18; 145 – Troy Sexton, FVHS, pinned Landon Williamson, 1:30; 152 – Josh Ward, PHS, pinned Jeffrey Anderson, 0:37; 160 – Malachi Bennett, FVHS, won by forfeit; 170 – Boe Sanderson, pinned Reese Olsen, 3:48. Centennial def. Overton, 51-30 126 – Jose Stevens, CHS, won by forfeit; 132 – Elijah Weston, CHS, won by forfeit; 138 – Nathan Alcoch, CHS, pinned Avand Kahar, 0:49; 145 – Jamari Sanders, CHS, won by forfeit; 152 – Alton Cates, OHS, pinned Jackson Wynne-Dossat, 1:34; 160 – Ceron Campbell, CHS, pinned Julien Ayon, 2:52; 170 – William Clingan, CHS, dec. Azai Aremdula-Chavez, 9-6; 182 – Max Munson, CHS, pinned Ethan Wynkoop, 4:17; 195 – Olin Numan, OHS, pinned Maddox Gates-Fabbri, 1:11; 220 – Marquill Green, OHS, won by forfeit; 285 – Abdrahman Ali, OHS, won by forfeit; 106 – Elijah Lammis, CHS, won by forfeit; 113 – Isahia Ayon, OHS, won by forfeit; 120 – Elijah Benfield, CHS, won by forfeit. Blackman def. Franklin, 51-24 138 – Mason Sells, BHS, pinned Nicholas Campbell, 0:47; 145 – Brock Wittman, FHS, dec. Adin Heathcott, 6-1; 152 – JD Saulters, FHS, pinned Gavin Turner, 2:00; 160 – James Revell, BHS, pinned Durham Quinn, 2:59; 170 – Aiden Elmore, FHS, pinned Matthew Olivieri, 3:02; 182 – Jashua Chew, BHS, pinned Sawyer Robinson, 3:12; 195 – Colin Jackson, FHS, dec. David Wilkinson, 8-4; 220 – Miles Workman, BHS, dec. Dominic Green, 8-4; 285 – Drew Minge, FHS, pinned Ian Molina, 0:27; 106 – Sebron Colson, BHS, won by forfeit; 113 – David Bradford, BHS, won by forfeit; 120 – Isaiah Thephavong, BHS, pinned Hudson Minor, 0:59; 126 – Justin Bradford, BHS, Caleb Jay, 1:10; 132 – Grant myers, BHS, pinned Caleb Wien, 0:53. Ravenwood def. Siegel, 46-33 195 – Connor Milhorn, SHS, won by forfeit; 220 – Will Parodi, RHS, tech. fall Chase Simpson, 16-0 (2:47); 285 – Caden Kellow, RHS, pinned Chase Hall, 0:34; 106 – Chase Creque, SHS, dec. Sachin Sashti, 6-4; 113 – Carl Montgomery, SHS, won by forfeit; 120 – Ammr Albarati, RHS, pinned Carter Hattrem, 0:37; 126 – Luke Summons, RHS, won by forfeit; 132 – Noah Creque, SHS, pinned Avin Eisenlohr, 1:01; 138 – Parker Miles, RHS, won by forfeit; 145 – Noah Kang, RHS, pinned Brody Ballou, 3:25; 152 – Alex Osborn, RHS, won by forfeit; 160 – Brandon Fogarty, RHS, won by forfeit; 170 – Quentin Groves, SHS, pinned Alex Fogarty, 1:18; 182 – Justin Frazier, SHS, pinned Arash Memory, 1:03. Summit def. Dickson County, 51-15 160 – Finley Jameson, SHS, won by forfeit; 170 – Luke Shaffer, DCHS, pinned Cullen Whitefield, 1:01; 182 – John Campbell, DCHS, maj. dec. 12-2; 195 – Luke Justice, SHS, won by forfeit; 220 – John Sloan, SHS, pinned Noah Armstrong, 0:55; 285 – Ryan Smith, SHS, won by forfeit; 106 – double forfeit; 113 – double forfeit; 120 – Patrick Brew, SHS, pinned Chris Gardner, 2:23; 126 – Braylon Pelkey, SHS, won by forfeit; 132 – Brayden Leach, SHS, won by forfeit; 138 – Michael Posey, SHS, won by forfeit; 145 – Jayden Sutton, DCHS, tech. fall Daryl Watson, 17-2 (4:24); 152 – Justin Arrieta, SHS, dec. Grant Christian, 4-1. Submit scores and results to charles@williamsonherald.com. —————- SMHS wrestling splits with Cookeville, Coffee Co; competes in Catholic tourney Michael Lindsay It was a busy week for the Stone Memorial Panthers wrestling team as they traveled to Cookeville High School where they faced both the Cavaliers of Cookeville and the Red Raiders of Coffee County. SMHS fought hard, but fell to the Cavaliers and prevailed over the Red Raiders to split the night this past Tuesday. The Panthers then traveled to Knox Catholic to participate in an individual tournament. Competition was fierce with several returning State Champions and Medalists participating for their schools. SMHS had multiple wrestlers battle through their matches, and Ryan King went 3-1 to place third and Aubrey Thompson went 2-2, placing fifth. —————- Middle School Wrestlers Downed by McCallie Dec 9 2021 McCallie 60, Baylor 27. The Baylor Middle School wrestling team lost to McCallie 60-27 Wednesday. Bout winners for the Raiders were Tristan Wagner, Stone Caputo, Jackson Reisman, Triston Mouton, Levi Fraley, Hunter Rosser, and Boom Hatmaker. Baylor, 5-6, competes in the TVWC conference championships and JV tournament this Friday and Saturday

FYI UFC/Tri-Cities fans... https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/sports/pearce-back-at-work-after-biggest-career-victory/article_9951a260-20a4-11ec-84f1-379eeb11597e.html

Siegel hall of fame: Kyle Coder has used wrestling lessons in Army https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.dnj.com/story/sports/high-school/2021/09/30/siegel-hall-fame-kyle-coder-has-used-wrestling-lessons-army/5849437001/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoTMTExMDM3Nzg3OTA0NTYxMDkxNjIaN2NlNDBiM2UwNzM3YWYwMDpjb206ZW46VVM&usg=AFQjCNFKjSncxTq-l92FmqRl23oO5aZt1A

I've heard this for years, e.g., Angelo Giansante, LaVergne High's only state champion I'm thinking in the late 90's, really didn't have anyone in the room to push him, but Pat Simpson welcomed him in his room and the lone wrestler from Angelo's team to enter that iconic Ryan tournament to prep for the big upset final vs Bradley's undefeated finalist. Angelo was one of those always grateful!

Simpson marks first wrestling great enshrined in MTSU Hall SAM DAUGHTON goblueraiders.com Sep 30, 2021 Updated 12 hrs ago Comments Former MTSU wrestler Patrick Simpson will be the first inducted into the Blue Raider Hall of Fame in his sports on Saturday. MTSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Gordon Connell had just been hired as the first ever head coach of the MTSU wrestling program, and he knew who his first call was going to be: Patrick Simpson. The high school senior was just coming off a heartbreaking loss in the Tennessee State Tournament, falling in the final of the 122 pound division by just one point. But his performance had caught the young coach's eye, impressed with Simpson's relentlessness and raw talent on the mat. "I figured that this guy has got a lot of fight," Connell said. "He didn't like to lose, he had that fighting spirit." Simpson took a visit to Murfreesboro shortly thereafter, and signed to become one of the first varsity wrestlers in Blue Raider history. Wrestling primarily at 126 pounds, Simpson quickly established himself as one of the team's top threats on the mat, and wrestled his way to become the first Blue Raider to compete in the NCAA Championships, when he won the NCAA Regional in 1979. He remains the only MT wrestler to ever win a regional title in program history. "Back in the beginning of the season, I beat a kid that placed fifth in the country the year before," Simpson said of his senior year campaign. "And that's when it kind of dawned on me that I better change my goals, and the goal should be to get to the NCAAs." The path for Simpson wasn't easy. As a young program, MT was often competing against the top schools in the southeast for the dual meets. Connell compared it to a modern FBS football team facing a SEC or Big Ten squad every other game. An injury the season prior, a hyperextended elbow earned in competition, forced Simpson to miss the previous season as well, so he'd be fighting from a lower seeded position. But he had some advantages too. Namely, assistant coach Mohammad Ghorbani, a world champion at 52 kg at the 1971 World Wrestling Championships from Iran, who moved to the U.S. shortly thereafter and ended up in Murfreesboro. After knocking on Connell's door one day and offering his help, Ghorbani and Simpson often sparred, given the two's similar size. "Pat began to learn moves from him that were not used anywhere in the country," Connell said. "He was doing things ten years ahead of the rest of the country, as far as technique goes." The off year meant Simpson entered the NCAA Regional at Notre Dame as the five seed in his weight class, meaning he needed to knock off three higher seeded opponents to claim the Regional title. "I wrestled the three best matches probably of my career," Simpson said. "The guy I beat in the finals of the region ended up being a two-time NCAA champion. At the time, he was just a freshman." Connell said two more MT wrestlers would go on to qualify for the NCAAs the next season, which would end up being the program's last as a varsity sport. Simpson, for his part, remembers the wrestling, but also the special memories he got to share his senior season with two of his brothers who joined him in the starting lineup for the Blue Raiders. Jim, just a freshman at the time, started at 134 pounds, while Frank, just a year behind Pat, started at 142 pounds. For Connell, he's grateful that the Hall of Fame honoring Simpson's career will help honor the wrestling program as a whole, a program that many Blue Raiders have forgotten about in the decades since it was dropped. "What Pat's induction is doing is it's at least saying that yes, Middle had a wrestling team, at one time," Connell said. "A lot of people have no recollection of it at all, but the fact that he's being inducted at least gives the program some representation." Simpson went on to become one of the best wrestling coaches in the state of Tennessee's history, coaching for over 45 years at his alma mater, Father Ryan High School, where he won 20 state championships and was named Coach of the Year by the Middle Tennessee Wrestling Coaches Association numerous times. That Father Ryan connection is something that especially touches Simpson about his induction, beyond just the personal honor itself, in that he'll be joining his former Father Ryan teacher, Boots Donnelly, in the Blue Raider Hall of Fame. "He was a student there, he came back and coached there," Simpson said. "I didn't play football because I was 100 pounds. But I love Coach Donnelly and to be able to go into the hall of fame that he's in, it's just an honor."

The Mocs face their first Division I opponents in Davidson, N.C. with Rutgers followed by duals against Clarion and Davidson, UTC's first Southern Conference foe. In December, the Mocs compete in a pair of Tri-Meets. The first is against SIUE and Illinois in Edwardsville, Ill. on Dec. 11. UTC concludes the 2021 calendar year with a trip to Morgantown, W. Va. to face Cleveland St. and West Virginia. The Southern Scuffle returns to McKenzie Arena in 2022. The two-day event takes place on Jan. 1 and 2. "After cancelling the scuffle last season, we are excited for its return this year. It is the best atmosphere in the country in preparation for the NCAA Tournament, and I know our guys look forward to having it in Chattanooga every year," said Ruschell. "The field for the scuffle this year is going to be a tough one as we will see many teams that haven't been here for a couple seasons. This is going to be a tournament that our fans are going to want to come watch." Prior to a full SoCon slate, the Mocs head to Hampton, Va. for the Virginia Duals on Jan. 14-15. UTC continues league action two weekends later with Gardner Webb (Jan. 28) and Campbell (Jan. 30) on the road. UTC's regular season continues with six contests in February. The squad returns home on Feb. 4 and 6 to face The Citadel and Appalachian State. A week later, the Blue and Gold conclude their home schedule with VMI and Presbyterian on Feb. 13. The 2021-22 regular season concludes with a road trip to Bellarmine (Feb. 18) and Indiana (Feb. 20). The postseason begins with the SoCon Championships on March 5 in Boone, N.C and the NCAA Championships are scheduled for March 17-19 in St. Louis, Mo. Season tickets are on sale now for as low as $55. To purchase season tickets, https://gomocs.com/news/2021/9/20/ruschell-announces-mocs-wrestling-schedule.aspx