Sommers

Ditto

Rossview wrestling sees four athletes sign college scholarships By Neil Rye June 30, 2020 12:32 pm FacebooTwitter ked Clarksville Now CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Rossview wrestling recently had four athletes sign college scholarships to continue their athletic and academic careers. Thomas Williams Williams attended Kenwood for his first two years of high school where he became a 2x state qualifier and a region champion. At Rossview, Williams managed to continue to qualify for state two more times and go on to become a 4x state qualifier while adding another region title. During his senior year, Williams had only one loss before heading into the state tournament against nationally-ranked Garrett Bowers from Christian Brothers where he eventually went on to take 2nd place. “Thomas is an outstanding young man whose dedication and hard work paid off this year,” said Brad Warren, assistant wrestling coach for the TN Women’s National Team. “He is the most charismatic young man I’ve ever known. Thomas loves life and he makes sure to take advantage of it. He lives for wrestling and can’t wait to get to the next level this coming year.” Record: 166-24 4x State Qualifier 2x State Placer- 4th place junior year at 132lbs, 2nd place senior year at 145lbs Received Lower Weight Region Wrestler of the Year Williams signed with David & Elkins in West Virginia Robin Yunis Yunis became the first girl’s wrestler in Rossview program history to win a state championship. She went undefeated three straight years and was a part of three consecutive state championship teams. In USA Wrestling, Yunis was nationally ranked as high as No. 5 and ended high school ranked 8th at 127lbs. She placed 5th in the 2019 Women’s Freestyle Nationals U23 division at 57kg and was also an All-American. Yunis was ranked 44th on USA Future Olympic Rankings List and spent four years on the TN Women’s National Team. “Robin is the most naturally talented female wrestler in the country,” Warren said. “She comes from a wrestling family and her determination to be a state champion and All-American paid off. Robin’s focus and attention to detail is what makes her such a great wrestler…She’s a perfectionist.” Record: 120-2 4x State Qualifier 4x Region Champion 4x State Champion 1st Female Mid TN Dream Wrestler of the Year 2x Tennessean Wrestler of the Year Yunis signed with Dixie State University in Utah Emma Walker Walker became the second girl’s wrestler in Rossview program history to win a state championship. She went undefeated three consecutive years and was part of three straight state championship teams. In USA Wrestling, Walker was nationally ranked as high as No. 3 and ended high school ranked 5th at 132lbs. She was the 2018 Cadet Division National Champion at 132lbs and took 3rd place in the 2018 Junior Division at 132lbs. In the 2019 Junior Division, Walker finished in 4th place at 132lbs and 4th place in the Fargo Nationals Junior Division at 62kg. She was also an All-American. Walker ranked 25th on the USA Future Olympic Rankings List and spent three years on TN Women’s National Team. “Emma works hard for everything she has had to do,” Warren said. “From classwork, soccer to wrestling and has reached success through extraneous time and effort to be the best. She never gives up and will train with the best to be the best. Her personality can make anyone around her love life.” Record: 115-12 4x State Qualifier 3x Region Champion 4x State Placer 3x State Champion 2nd Female & 2x Mid TN Dream Wrestler of the Year TN Tricia Saunders Award Winner Emma Walker signed with Campbellsville University in Kentucky SaQara Buchanan Buchanan went undefeated her senior year and became Rossview’s fourth ever state champion. She was a part of three consecutive state championship teams and spent one year on the TN Women’s National Team. “SaQara always has a smile on her face and nothing brings her down,” Warren said. “She has grown to love the sport of wrestling. She has overcome injury throughout the sport and knows that wrestling is what has helped her become so strong. She is the first on the mat ready to start training and the last to leave. She is a natural leader.” Record: 69-12 3x State Qualifier 3x Region Champion 3x State Placer State Champion TN Dream Team Wrestler at 140lbs Buchanan signed with Tiffin University in Ohio The first-ever Rossview High School girl’s wrestling team ended the 2019-20 season ranked 11th nationally by USA Wrestling.

From FB and UTC... We have lost one of the great GA wrestlers, my good friend and teammate, Bobby Demeritt. Many knew Bobby as a fierce competitor and dedicated coach of wrestling, but he was a great human being. Unfortunately, he was battling internal demons of depression, addiction and a bi-polar disorder. This combination was one match he couldn't win and sadly he took his own life. Bobby was 3 Time State Champ, HS All American, a Member US World Greco Team, US Open National Champion, 2nd in the Panam Games.. just to name a few. He coached many elementary, HS and College wrestlers and was dedicated to the sport of wrestling. He was as a dedicated loving father, coach, brother, teammate, friend, solider, and Christian. I wanted this community to know that he will be missed but never forgotten. https://gf.me/u/yakxpj https://www.facebook.com/groups/492619600905746/permalink/1594827084018320/

Cole McCartney inks with Ouachita Baptist wrestling STAFF REPORTS sports@mainstreetmediatn.com 19 hrs ago Cole McCartney was joined at his ceremony by (front row, l to r): Johnny and Autumn McCartney and (back row) Ally McCartney and Makayla Bryant. Former Greenbrier High School wrestler Cole McCartney signed scholarship papers with Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.) on Monday, June 15. He defeated Pigeon Forge’s Noah Dyer by a 7-6 decision to finish third in the TSSAA Class A-AA 126-pound state tournament bracket. McCartney, who committed to Ouachita Baptist last fall, was also named to the TSWA All-State wrestling team. https://www.robertsoncountyconnection.com/sports/prep_sports/cole-mccartney-inks-with-ouachita-baptist-wrestling/article_a12f5a8a-b021-11ea-a189-5fa90610c868.html ------------------------------- Girls wrestling... I remember Tennessee early on with just a handful of states with Steve Henry at Soddy and Jeff Price of Science Hill leasing the way... Illinois is the 26th state to approve girls wrestling, joining Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington. https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/article/WRESTLING-IHSA-approves-girls-wrestling-state-15352575.php Kudos to Montgomery Central (and another coach Price) and others growing this movement within The Clarksville/Montgomery Co area!

Great job Grinder!!! Hope all goes well with your next endeavor 

PIAA Board of Directors unanimously passes 2nd reading of proposal to reduce high school wrestling weight classes Updated Jun 15, 5:49 PM; Posted Jun 15, 4:52 PM Bishop McDevitt’s Chase Shields greets Glendale’s Brock McMullen prior to the 2019 PIAA Class 2A wrestling state championship finals at Giant Center. March 09, 2019 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com PENNLIVE.COM By Dustin Hockensmith | dhockensmith@pennlive.com The PIAA Board of Directors cleared a pivotal step on Monday to approve a reduction in the number of high school wrestling weight classes from 14 to 13 for the 2020-’21 season. The board unanimously passed the measure on a second reading, setting up a third reading at its July meeting. If the proposal is approved at the board meeting on July 14-15, the measure would pass for the upcoming season. The 13 weights in the PIAA proposal are: 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215 and 285. The current weights are: 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285. https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/wrestling/2020/06/piaa-board-of-directors-unanimously-passes-2nd-reading-of-proposal-to-reduce-high-school-wrestling-weight-classes.html ---------------------- William Blount athletes celebrate college signings By Corey Roepken coreyr@thedailytimes.com 21 hrs ago 1 of 8 William Blount’s Daniel Arp signs a National Letter of Intent with the University of the Cumberlands. Corey Roepken | The Daily Times William Blount’s Sara Kagley signs a National Letter of Intent with Milligan College’s basketball team. Corey Roepken | The Daily Times William Blount’s Connor Dodson signs a National Letter of Intent to play soccer for Tennessee Wesleyan. Corey Roepken | The Daily Times William Blount’s Rachel Kessler signs a National Letter of Intent with the Truett McConnell volleyball team. Corey Roepken | The Daily Times William Blount's Seth Cooper signs a National Letter of Intent with the Carson-Newman football team Taylor Vortherms | The Daily Times William Blount's Noah Durman signs a National Letter of Intent with Mount St. Joseph University's football team. Taylor Vortherms | The Daily Times William Blount's Emilee Braden signs a National Letter of Intent with the Tennessee Wesleyan softball team. Taylor Vortherms | The Daily Times William Blount's Ben Kenny signs a National Letter of Intent to play football for Carson-Newman. Taylor Vortherms | The Daily Times From the time he was 5 years old to the time he was in fourth grade, Daniel Arp never wanted to stop wrestling. Even though he was far away from the reality, he said he dreamed of one day competing for a college team. His dream suffered a major setback when he was in fifth grade because his father’s job took the family to a school district that did not have a wrestling program. It was quite the jolt for a kid who didn’t want to do anything but wrestle. “It was terrible,” Arp said. “For the longest time I would wake up and my mindset was just wrestling. (Then) for five years it was just nothing. I did track for one year and it didn’t give me the same satisfaction wrestling always has.” Luckily for Arp, his story has a happy ending. His father took another job ahead of Arp’s junior year of high school, and the family moved to the William Blount school zone. The Governors, of course, do have a wrestling team. The recent graduate made up for lost time in his only two seasons of high school wrestling and landed a spot on the team at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. He celebrated his signing Monday afternoon with friends and family in the William Blount gym. Arp was one of eight recent graduates to sign their National Letters of Intent, including football players Ben Kenny, Noah Durman and Seth Cooper; basketball player Sara Kagley; soccer player Connor Dodson; volleyball player Rachel Kessler; and softball player Emilee Braden. Nobody would have blinked an eye had Arp taken a while to get going after not wrestling for five years, but he hit the ground running once he arrived at William Blount. He would try wrestling at the house with his dad or with his older brother’s friends, but nothing made up for what he got out of walking into a high school wrestling room with other kids his age who all were striving for the same goal. Arp won early and often during his junior season and eventually qualified for the state tournament. He qualified for state as a senior, too. “It shows his work ethic was second to none because he had to pick up where he left off when people he was going to wrestle had been wrestling that entire time,” William Blount coach Garrick Henderson said. “Not only did he come to practice and work his butt off, he stayed afterwards, and then when he went home he worked there with his dad and with other teammates. “He knew the challenge that was ahead of him. I’m very proud of him for accomplishing that feat today. It’s something every wrestler dreams of.” Kagley also had a harsh setback when she was a young basketball player. She was just starting to fall in love with the sport in the fifth grade when she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She said her internal organs were struggling and that fluids rushed into her joints. At one point she was told she might never run again. “It was awful,” said Kagley, who signed with Milligan University on Monday. “I didn’t really know what super sadness was in fifth grade, but it’s hard when you grow up playing sports and you get told you cannot do anything. You can’t run. You can’t jump, nothing. I had to just sit there and watch.” After missing her fifth grade season, she was given a clean bill of health and got back into rhythm on the court. When she reached the high school level, though, she was far behind her varsity teammates; contributing at a high level seemed farfetched. That changed over the next few seasons, and by the time she took the court as a senior, she was one of the Lady Governors’ top rebounders. When coach Todd Wright introduced the rebounding belt midway through the pandemic-shortened season, she received it as the leading rebounder in more than half of the games. That was the icing on the cake after she reached a level at which she thought she had a chance to play in college. She reached out to Milligan coach Kylie Russell and the process went smoothly. Russell and Kagley already had known each other for more than five years, so when Russell, an Alcoa High School graduate who recently took over as Milligan’s head coach, saw how much Kagley had improved, she jumped at the chance to sign her. Russell was there on Monday to speak and watch Kagley sign her NLI. “The process was super easy, which I am thankful for,” Kagley said. “My parents didn’t go to college, so this was new to all of us. None of us really knew what was going on. (Russell) made it so much easier because we already knew her. We understood everything.” Unlike Kagley and Arp, Dodson didn’t start playing his sport because of dreams of playing in college. He just wanted to be around his friends. He joined the team his sophomore year, but his interest level grew after playing on a club team for one season and meeting William Blount coach Jordan Hill, whose first season was Dodson’s junior year. Dodson, who signed with Tennessee Wesleyan on Monday, played all around the pitch throughout his two high school seasons and was set to make his mark at central midfield as a senior before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the season. By then he had attended a camp at Tennessee Wesleyan, and the coaches offered him a spot on the team that day. It didn’t take long for Dodson to accept, and now he said he’s excited to take his relatively new love to another level. “Junior year changed everything for me,” Dodson said. “It made me want to do better and be a better person. I wanted to go to the next level because I didn’t want to do anything but soccer. It changed my whole life.” https://www.thedailytimes.com/sports/william-blount-athletes-celebrate-college-signings/article_b5425133-ea9a-59da-af9d-be586f2ff875.html

Mobile Sports Photo Credit: Three-Time SC State Champ Set to Join UTC in the Fall Williams is the first in a list of profiles on UTC's incoming wrestling recruits. Jun. 02, 2020 Wrestling University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head wrestling coach, Kyle Ruschell, has signed another impressive recruiting class heading into the 2020-21 season. Over the next few weeks, GoMocs.com will take a closer look at the newcomers joining the program this fall. The first is freshman Matthew Williams. The Fair Play, South Carolina native is a three-time state champion at West-Oak High School. There, he competed for head coach Greg Brewer. Former Moc and 2001 Southern Conference Champion Adam Duncan (1997-01) is an assistant coach on Brewer's staff. "Matt is a hard worker with a lot of talent," stated Ruschell. "A UTC alum coached him during his prep career, so he already understands the workman-like mentality that is Chattanooga Wrestling is known for." With an overall record of 177-20, Williams was a state finalist in all four years of his high school career. His lone finals loss came as a freshman. He then followed up with three state titles and only eight losses during his final three seasons. "As a four-time state finalist and three-time champ, his resume speaks for itself," Ruschell added. "But what we really like is how he carries himself on and off the mat. Once we got Matt on his recruiting visit and realized his mindset, we knew we had to get him." Ruschell predicts that Williams will wrestle at 149 pounds coming into his collegiate career. The 2019 South Carolina Coaches Most Outstanding Wrestler, Williams, was also an honor roll student in the classroom. "He will fit perfectly into our culture both on and off the mat," said Coach Ruschell. "We are very excited to get him in the room and see what he can do!"

HC Scott Seaman of Hopkinsville High in KY may have something. Also, Jacky Blosser went back into his field of Environmental Engineering recently. I believe Whitwell High, near Chattanooga, may have an opening.

Sad Times.... Former Collins Hill football player, wrestler Jaquan Reece, 19, murdered in Knoxville By Will Hammock will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com 17 hrs ago 1 of 4 Collins Hill grad Jaquan Reece, right, was murdered Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn. Special Photo Collins Hill grad Jaquan Reece, left, was murdered Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn. Special Photo Vehicle of interest in the murder of Collins Hill grad Jaquan Reece. Knoxville Police Jaquan Reece, left, makes a tackle against Parkview. Former Collins Hill football and wrestling standout Jaquan Reece was murdered Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn. The city’s police department confirmed his identity Sunday. According to police, Reece, 19, drove in his own vehicle to the University of Tennessee Medical Center around 2 p.m. Saturday. He was suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The 2019 Collins Hill grad moved to Knoxville after high school and was enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was considering a career in the military. “(Reece) was one of the first kids I met when I came to Collins Hill,” former Collins Hill wrestling coach Nate Ethridge said. “He was a great kid with a huge smile. He was always happy. He was a joy to coach pretty much. He was tough. He wrestled at Collins Hill for two years. He transferred here from Parkview after two years. He was a state qualifier for us. He was a hard-working kid, a good kid." Vehicle of interest in the murder of Collins Hill grad Jaquan Reece. Knoxville Police Reece visited Gwinnett back in December for the Eagles’ Kyle Maynard Duals, Ethridge said. In addition to being a state qualifier in wrestling, Reece was a starter on the football team for two years. He had 61 tackles and two interceptions as a senior for a state playoff team. “Jaquan was a great player for us,” Collins Hill head coach Lenny Gregory said. “He was very productive. He started at safety, was a kickoff returner, a great athlete. He was always smiling, a great kid. It’s a horrible loss of a young man that was loved. The teachers loved him. The kids loved him. He was smart. I’m so shocked because he’s such a good kid.” Collins Hill's Jaquan Reece carries the ball in a game against Mill Creek. Knoxville Police believe the shooting occurred in the area of Sunset Avenue and South Castle Street, and officials requested anyone with information — anonymity is permitted — to call 865-215-7212 --------------- https://tssaa.org/article/unwelcome-reality-coaching-students-through-daunting-times Unwelcome reality: coaching students through daunting times Leadership makes a difference, now and in the future April 29, 2020 Greg McCullough had just arrived inside MTSU's Murphy Center for the Thursday games at the Tennessee Girls’ State Basketball Championships. But as the Memphis Central principal and TSSAA Board of Control Vice President would soon come to find out, the sports world and society writ large had begun the painful process of shutting down social activities due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. The pandemic was raging and closing in fast on the storied Glass House. “As things were unfolding, we’re sitting there watching games, and big-time college tournaments were being cancelled,” McCullough said. “It was just really a weird, surreal feeling. Plans would be made, then changed in hours. “That Thursday, sitting in the stands at Girls’ State, Mr. Childress was even telling us board members that we couldn't come back tomorrow. At that time, teams were going to be playing in this huge arena in front of 100 select people." Ultimately, the tournament would be halted Thursday night. "I cannot imagine," McCullough added, "to have worked that hard and not gotten the chance to finish that dream, that’s a tough pill to swallow. But we just try to find the positive we can get out of it.” Mr. Childress, as in TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress, went to great lengths in the weeks after the state tournament was suspended, with input from every corner of the state, in an effort to find a method to salvage the final games of the boys’ and girls’ basketball seasons, as well as scrape together some semblance of a spring sports season. Greg Wyant, longtime football coach and athletics director at Murfreesboro's Siegel High School, remembers offering a parting piece of advice for students heading home on a cruel Friday the 13th. “Many kids on the track team were in my weightlifting class that afternoon and I remember telling them before they walked out for the weekend that you need to be mentally prepared to not be here Monday and maybe not run track the rest of the season. Enjoy your meet on Saturday; it might be the last for a while if not for the year,” Wyant said. “The NBA was shutting down, then the MLB, then the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament, you could really see the writing on the wall. I just tried to talk to them and mentally prepare them for what the possibilities could be. “I think a lot of the kids are a lot like a lot of us as adults, like, ‘Yeah, sure. No way that’s going to happen.’ But nobody’s ever seen anything like this." Barely one month later, on April 15, those collective efforts were rendered moot when Gov. Bill Lee said the Volunteer State’s school buildings should remain closed through the end of the academic year. The TSSAA immediately followed through with the formal decision to cancel all remaining interscholastic sports for the academic year, an eventuality faced by high school associations across the country. In speaking to a variety of coaches, administrators and leaders throughout the state of Tennessee, the hope moving forward centers around gradually transforming these unprecedented obstacles into potential life lessons.  Ann Mullins “I think that, in the same way that sports provide teaching moments — how to win and how to lose, be respectful to teammates and opponents, how to be responsible and accountable — this experience has provided us with many of the same teaching opportunities and coaches are using it this way,” said Father Ryan Athletics Director Ann Mullins, “We talk to athletes about dealing with obstacles, overcoming adversity, gaining perspective. “For as important as athletics are to the school community, their importance takes a backseat to the struggles that so many in the community and in the nation are facing. I think that is possibly the most important teaching moment for us as an athletic department and as a coach, period. We follow the lead of our president (Jim McIntyre) and principal (Paul Davis) who do a phenomenal job in helping us face these challenges.” Fulton’s Jody Wright, the school’s state-title-winning boys’ basketball coach as well as athletics director and assistant principal at the Knoxville school, also said this unprecedented crisis has coerced a refreshed perspective. “One of the things that I think is a really sound message is that once we get out of this that we as coaches can point to this situation and say: We don’t know what tomorrow holds,” Wright said. “God gives us today. So many times we take for granted our day, the moment we have, we take those things for granted. Seize the day, as the saying goes. “Coaches have a tremendous opportunity coming out of this to teach cherishing what you have, cherishing the time we have and embracing the moment.” Coaches and schools throughout the state are finding different ways to honor their students, athletes or otherwise, as this now-digital academic year winds towards its end. Gatlinburg-Pittman soccer coaches Caleb Keener and Zach Schrandt, for example, led a socially-distanced convoy of cars past the house of a senior player this month to honk happy birthday wishes. Mullins joined Father Ryan’s entire leadership team in distributing Class of 2020 graduation blankets and yard signs around Nashville on a recent Friday. In Memphis, McCullough and others are finding as many ways as possible to engage with their now-distanced youths.  Greg McCullough “We’re trying in our district to address our kids much as we can,” McCullough said. “This is uncharted territory, scary for a lot of people, and we want to remind them to stay safe and let them know, ‘We miss you.’ The athletic piece is a big part, but right now our seniors don’t get to experience prom, graduation. We just have to live with the hope that everything will get better. “There are a lot of difficult things about this. I think as humans, we're always sitting back thinking about, ‘I wish I’d known then what I know now. I would have done this or that, or maybe I would have practiced harder.’ But if you’re a competitor you really have to live in the moment. You can only play for so long. Even if you’re LeBron James, you can still only play for so long. You have to live in the moments.” These hardships are not only teaching tools for the youth. Administrators are wondering what school buildings and classrooms might look like in the fall; coaches are uncertain about summer camps, practices or a reasonable facsimile for their fall schedules. What is developing through this challenge, however, is a greater coach-to-coach, region-to-region and sport-to-sport camaraderie. “I have found that we, as athletics directors, are in different email groups with TSSAA, TIAAA, NAIS and different independent schools, and it’s really been awesome,” said Mullins, a former standout volleyball player at Father Ryan, the University of Tennessee and Lipscomb University. “It’s great to see how all of the athletic directors and principals and all of the heads of schools have come together, even over email, to float different ideas about what they’re doing or what their teachers and coaches are doing and how they are staying in communication. Even if you’re LeBron James, you can still only play for so long. You have to live in the moments. “I think it definitely has hit the reset button for us and I think it has brought us closer together. And I am very much looking forward to working with other schools for the betterment of our students and of our student-athletes.” “Everybody is affected,” said Wright, a Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame inductee. “I call it the fraternity of coaches. We compete hard against each other, we want to win, but only that other coach across the sidelines knows what you go through before the game and how hard you work. “There is a little bit of kindred spirit growing because it's not affected just one town, one part of the state, one sport. We’re all not having daily contact with kids in the way we are used to as teachers and coaches, and all coaches are in the same boat and this gives us all some common ground, we can all empathize.” McCullough eyes a greater horizon. “We hope that this can bring us together,” McCullough said. “Not only just the state but in the country, we’re such a divided country and everything is so political right now. My thing is we’re all Americans here and we've got to figure this out. We’ve got to help each other, stay safe, and help with finances when it’s bad for this person or that person. "We have a tendency to leave situations behind. But I think the best teaching is going to come after we get back to some normalcy. We shouldn't forget what has happened, and hopefully we look back and say, ‘We came through this together,’ and if we all come together, we can make it through this and get better and be prepared for it. And we can help kids live in the moment and say, ‘Hey, you never know, this might be your last game. Live in that moment and play hard and represent your school and your community and appreciate the chance to compete.’”

TOM’s High School Team Regional Rankings: Southeast ByEarl Smith Posted on 05/26/2020 original photo courtesy of Richard Immel Last month we debuted a new feature on TOM, our high school regional rankings. The feedback we received was incredible, so we decided to take it a step further and break down the top teams from each region. The regional rankings provided an excellent platform for wrestlers that were previously overlooked, so we foresee that being the case for teams that may not get a chance to shine, as well. Rankings teams, especially in high school, are certainly not a cut-and-dry process. There are a handful of different criteria used when judging these teams. Results at the state tournament, regular-season tournaments, duals results, and performances by their individuals all are considered. At the high school level, it’s rare to find teams that are dominant in all of those facets. That is true in the Southeast region as even some of the top squads had an off day. Without any further, these are the top 12 teams in the Southeast region. 12) McCallie School (Tennessee) Head Coach: Jake Yost The first of three Tennessee teams in these rankings, McCallie took third place in the Tennessee DII State Championships with 176.5 points, just seven points behind second-place Christian Brothers. McCallie also took third at the dual state tournament. After a narrow loss to Christian Brothers, the Blue Tornado rebounded with a pair of dominating victories to take third place. At the individual tournament, four McCallie wrestlers won state titles Emory Taylor (126), Alex Whitworth (160), Gavin Cagle (170), and James Howard (285). Howard finished the year as the top-ranked 285 lber in the Southeast. It was the third title for Taylor and fourth for Whitworth. Alex is on track to become only the third five-time champion in state history. Cagle also picked up his second. Another pair of Blue Tornado grapplers also made the finals with Jack Braman (120) and Riley Looper (182) doing so. Altogether, ten McCallie wrestlers got to the podium for coach Yost. The remaining state medalists were Kenneth Haney (106 – 5th), Nicholas Ridings (113 – 3rd), Ian Herring (132 – 6th), and Rand Holtzclaw (145 – 4th). McCallie had an excellent regular season as they were the region’s highest placing team at the Beast of the East. Whitworth took sixth place and Howard was fourth, which led to a 21st place showing overall. They also finished as runners-up at the McCallie Invitational with 225 points, 82 points behind Georgia’s Woodland-Cartersville. Expect McCallie to be even higher up this list next year as all four state champions return, along with one of their runners-up, Braman. Three McCallie School wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 11) Christian Brothers (Tennessee) Head Coach: Derek Harrison We’ll talk more about Baylor School later, but Christian Brothers were the runner-up to Baylor in both the traditional state tournament and the state dual event. Christian Brothers finished seven points ahead of #12 McCallie School at the tradition tournament. The two also met in the semifinals of the dual state tournament. A fall by Dayne Dalrymple in the final bout of the dual gave Christian Brothers a 34-33 win and sent them to the finals against Baylor School. In their first dual of the tournament, the Purple Wave shut out Chattanooga Christian School 79-0. Christian Brothers saw four of their wrestlers get crowned as state champions at the Tennessee DII state tournament (Dalrymple – 120; Evan Anthony – 145; Garrett Bowers – 152; Al Wooten – 220). Another two would make the state finals, but come up just shy of gold with Wills Bronson (106) and Aidan Bowers (132). Both fell to opponents from the Baylor School in the championship final. Five others rounded out the state placers for the Purple Wave with Sam Lee (126 – 5th), Micah Douglass (138 – 5th), Gervacio Gonzalez (170 – 4th), Theo Sewell (182 – 5th), and Connor Billingsley (195 – 4th). Christian Brothers finished a respectable fourth place at the Prep Slam with 178 points and a champion (Wooten). That was ahead of Green Farms Academy (CT) and St. Christopher’s (VA), a pair of solid schools on the national prep scene. The team was also 15th at the KC Stampede, a very strong tournament that features some of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas’ best teams. Garrett Bowers was the only Purple Wave wrestler to emerge victorious from the tournament’s gold division. Next year, Christian Brothers will need to replace Bowers and Wooten, but return four other state finalists. Three Christian Brothers wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 10) Southwest Miami (Florida) Head Coach: Mark Arteaga Southwest Miami had one of the best years in school history, finishing as the runners-up in Florida 3A Classification to South Dade 199-108. That was just a point better than Fleming Island for the second place trophy. A school-record ten Eagle wrestlers qualified for the state tournament, led by five regional champions, another highwater mark. When all was said and done from Kissimmee, Southwest Miami had crowned a pair of state champions (Danny Martinez – 113 and Sebastian Melguizo – 126). Martinez, just a freshman, finished his initial high school campaign with a 68-0 record. Returning state champion Adrian Vidaud (170) was unable to claim his second state title falling in the finals, 4-2. Two more Eagle wrestlers were able to reach the podium when Daniel Cabrera (132) and Jeremiah Mauras (195) both took fifth-place. Kevin Placer (106), Gabriel Perez (145), Brandon Moreno (152), Leo Garcia (160), and George Llanas (182) were the remaining qualifiers for Coach Arteaga’s team that did not place at states. The two state champions, Vidaud, Llanas, and Cabrera, account for the school’s five regional winners. Southwest Miami participated in one of the biggest high school tournaments in the south, the Knockout Classic and was able to take sixth place with 143.5 points. Martinez was the lone Eagle to win the event and he did so by scoring bonus points in all six of his matches. The team finished a distant second place to South Dade at the GMAC (Greater Miami Athletic Conference), as well. Martinez, along with Vidaud and Llanes, all came away with titles at that event. Two Southwest Miami wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 9) Oscar Smith (Virginia) Head Coach: Donald Motley The champions at Virginia’s largest classification (6A), Oscar Smith, captured their first state championship in six years and did so without much drama. The Tigers outdistanced second-place Kellam, always a power in the Beach-area, by 54.5 points . This year’s squad saw three Tigers atop the state podium with Trevon Gray (106), David Bragg (120), and Jaden Bullock (170). Bullock was a breakout star nationally, as he made the finals of the Walsh Ironman and placed at the Beast of the East, the Powerade, and Escape the Rock. He has since signed with Michigan. Also joining this trio in the finals was Jaheid Lucas (132) and Zion Carpenter (182). Oscar Smith was able to qualify their entire 14-man starting lineup for the Virginia 6A tournament in 2020. After the finalists, four other Tiger wrestlers made it into the top-six, Logan Lacey (138 – 4th), Swahaib Beitazzam (145 – 6th), Sterling Waters (152 – 4th), and Nasir Hughes (220 – 4th). When coach Motley’s crew was third in the state in 2019, they “only” had nine qualifiers. Coach Motley was as ambitious as any coach in the region when setting his 2019-20 schedule. The Tigers traveled to the Beast, the Powerade, Escape the Rock, and Virginia Duals, while Bullock went to the Ironman. At the Duals, Oscar Smith scored dual wins over out-of-state competition like South Plainfield (NJ) and St. Augustine Prep (NJ), while also downing #9 New Kent. Oscar Smith’s 63 points at Escape the Rock were good enough for 16th place and second among all Virginia schools (2 points behind Great Bridge). It will be interesting to see how Motley reloads in 2020-21. Nine of his 14 state qualifiers were seniors. The only returning state placers will be Trevon Gray and Lucas. Two Oscar Smith wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 8) New Kent (Virginia) Head Coach: Mike Faus A year after stopping perennial power Christiansburg’s 17-year run of Virginia state titles, New Kent was even better in 2019-20. The Trojans edged Christiansburg by 10.5 points in 2019. This year they were able to extend that margin to 19 points, winning the state’s 3A title 235.5 to 216.5. The 2019 title accounted for the first in school history. This year’s squad featured five state champions (Matthew Eberly – 106; Patrick Jordan – 138; Travis Ragland – 145; Nick Vafiadis – 152; and Gannon Jones – 170) amongst their 11 state placewinners. It was the first individual title for all but Vafiadis. Nick won as a freshman in 2019 and placed fifth at Escape the Rock in Pennsylvania. Two other Trojan wrestlers made the state finals with Trace Ragland (120) and Brayden Hohman (160). In total, all eleven of New Kent’s state qualifiers found a way to get on the state podium with Daniel Colgin (113 – 6th), Raymond Goode (132 – 4th), Nathaniel Fly (182 – 3rd), and Jamar Christian (220 – 4th). Last year the school had ten wrestlers earn all-state honors. This year’s team was also missing two projected starters for the postseason. During the regular season, New Kent went undefeated at the Benedictine College Power 5 duals, which featured most of the top teams in the state. There they downed #9 Oscar Smith and private school powers, Benedictine and St. Christopher’s. The win over Oscar Smith was payback for a head-to-head loss at the Virginia Duals, two weeks earlier. Like Oscar Smith, New Kent was very aggressive with their out-of-state scheduling. Some of their stars traveled to the Ironman, while the full team went to the Beast and Escape the Rock. Coach Faus’ crew ended up 35th at the Beast and 22nd at Escape the Rock. This is a team that will be a force for years to come. The only seniors among the state placewinners were Jones and Christian. Of their five returning state finalists, only Hohman will be a senior in 2020-21. Two New Kent wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 7) South Dade (Florida) Head Coach: Vic Balmeceda Another year and another title for the Bucs of South Dade High School. That’s seven-in-a-row, to be exact. Seven ties the state’s second-longest consecutive title-winning streak, though they still have a lot of ground to make up before challenging Brandon’s 17 straight in the early 2000’s. South Dade also has 15 state titles in their storied history, which is also good enough for second behind Brandon, statewide. At the 2020 state tournament, South Dade crushed the field, separating themselves from second-place Southwest Miami by over 90 points. Three Buc wrestlers were able to come away with gold from the state meet with Alex Couto (120), Bretli Reyna (145), and Joshua Swan (152) winning. For Reyna, he captured his fourth state title, along with a belt at the Super 32, and was fourth at the Beast of the East. He’ll attend Iowa next year. Also, making appearances in the state finals for South Dade were Jose Gonzalez (126), Adrian Neco (132), and Steven Villalobos (160). Four more Buc wrestlers finished their state tournament on the podium as Adrian Morales (106 – 3rd), Cordell White (138 – 3rd), Bryan Valdes (170 – 6th), and Tanaveius Shropshire (220 – 5th), all got into the top six. Jancarlos Rivera (113), Daniel Espino-Delgado (182), and Alejandro Gonzalez (195) rounded out the state qualifiers for Coach Balmeceda’s powerful squad. South Dade was also dominant on the dual front, claiming the 3A dual championship with a 57-13 win over Osceola in the finals. The team was also fourth at the Knockout Classic, which saw only two Florida teams outplace them. Although South Dade did not have any champions, they did have four wrestlers place top-four. The Bucs were on another level at the GMAC Championships when they blew out second-place Southwest Miami by 113 points and tallied a stunning 384.5, themselves. The drive for an eighth consecutive title will feature a talented returning team, though they’ll have a massive void with the graduation of Reyna. The two other state champions are back, as is one 2020 finalist, Neco. Reyna is the only South Dade wrestler who appears in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 6) Tampa Jesuit (Florida) Head Coach: Sal Basile There’s definitely an argument to be made for Jesuit High School in Tampa to be above Florida 2A rival Lake Gibson here as both had excellent seasons. Jesuit finished second in the state to Lake Gibson, just 20 points behind. The two schools also squared off in dual action in the regional finals with the Tigers topping Lake Gibson 29-27. Coach Basile’s team would dominate their next two opponents in the state tournament by a combined score of 118-25 to claim the first state title (in any format) in the program’s history. After the win, 106 lber Kai Owen was named TOM’s HS Wrestler of the Week. Four Jesuit wrestlers were able to double-up and earned individual titles of their own, Owen (106), Braden Basile (120), Tom Crook (126), and Ethan Basile (145). Crook finished the year undefeated while the other three had just one setback on their 2019-20 record. The older Basile, Ethan, will continue his career next year at Northern Iowa. 285 lber Mason Arnold was a state finalist, as well. Four other Jesuit wrestlers were able to win a spot on the medal stand with Jack Crook (132 – 3rd), Alfonso Vargas (138 – 5th), Sergio Desiante (152 – 3rd), Aidan Gingell (160 – 6th). Daniel Vargas (113) and Andre Mortensen (195) both qualified for the state meet but did not medal. Jesuit’s schedule saw them attend many of the top regular-season tournaments in the region. First and foremost, is the Knockout Classic. The Tigers were third at the tournament with 203 points, just one and a half behind Georgia’s Woodland HS. Owen and Tom Crook both emerged victorious at the Knockout. Jesuit came away with the title at the Indian Classic in Tennessee, a tournament that featured two teams, Cleveland (TN) and Great Bridge (VA), that just finished outside of the top-12. They also won the Fit 2 Win and the Jerry Mita tournaments. Expect Jesuit to be formidable in 2020-21, as well. Aside from Ethan Basile, the other three state champions are all sophomores. Arnold and both third-place finishers will be back, too. Four Jesuit wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 5) Woodland (Cartersville, Georgia) Head Coach: Adrian Tramutola At the Georgia Traditional State Championships, the highest-scoring team (of the seven classifications) was Woodland, who racked up 210 points, which bested second-place Buford by 31 points. The Wildcats also were victorious at the dual state tournament, by dropping Veterans 47-15 in the championship bout. Woodland has won both state tournaments, in each of the last two seasons. Half of Woodland’s individual finalists were able to grab state titles with Caden McCrary (138), Caleb Henson (145), and Jaxon Smith (170), all winning. It was the third state title in as many tries for McCrary and second for Smith. Both have already committed to DI schools before their senior year, with McCrary staying in the south to wrestle for North Carolina and Smith heading to Maryland. Henson had to down a two-time state champ to earn his first and is currently ranked first in the region. He was the only wrestler on Woodland’s team to finish the year unbeaten. The additional three state finalists for coach Tramutola’s squad were Colton Bishop (126), Caleb Jones (132), and Cole Cochran (160). Also getting on the podium were Easton Bishop (120 – 3rd), Bryce Collum (152 – 4th), Bryce Shedd (220 – 4th), and Beau Jernigan (285 – 6th). Two of the most challenging events on Woodland’s schedule this year were the Knockout Classic and the McCallie Invitational. The Wildcats were able to blow out #8 McCallie School to claim the title 307-225 at their own event. At the Knockout Classic, Woodland came in second to Lake Gibson 218.5 to 204.5. In dual action, Woodland went unbeaten winning titles at the Blackbeard Duals, the Warpath Duals, and the Mountain View Duals. Expect Woodland to be a factor again next season as Jones and Collum are the only placewinners that were seniors in 2019-20. Four Woodland wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 4) Lake Gibson (Florida) Head Coach: Danny Walker For the third consecutive year, Lake Gibson High School won the 2A championship in Florida. The Braves were able to stave off a challenge from Jesuit and prevailed 224-204. A pair of champions, Brendon Abdon (138) and Ashton Habeil (182) paced coach Walker’s team at the state meet in 2020. For Abdon it was his first championship, while it was the third for Habeil. Ashton had an excellent year, suffering his only loss of the season at the Walsh Ironman, where he ended up taking third. Habeil would finish the year ranked 13th in the nation. Four other Lake Gibson wrestlers were able to secure a place in the state finals with Hayden Whidden (106), Connor Williams (126), Evan Butler (145), and Caden Cunningham (195) who came away with silver. Five others reached the medal stand at the state tournament, as well, with Jesse Gehr (113 – 4th), Alexander Walker (120 – 3rd), Alejandro Rosario (132 – 5th), Raul Soto (160 – 3rd), Tristan Middlebrook (220 – 4th). That was good for a total of 11 state placewinners, a Lake Gibson record for a single-season. Frank Solorzano (152) also qualified for the state tournament but was unable to place. The Braves shined at the Knockout Classic, winning the event and tallying 218.5 points, which bested #5 Woodland by 14 points. Habeil’s title at the Knockout led a group of eight placewinners for coach Walker’s crew. Whidden, Williams, and Abdon also made the finals. Lake Gibson also won the Braves Invitational, an event they hosted, by over 100 points against a strong Palmetto Ridge team. Lake Gibson will have to rebuild on the fly next year. Habeil, along with Williams, Butler, and Cunningham, are state finalists that will be lost to graduation. Gehr and Rosario were also senior state medalists in 2020. Three Lake Gibson wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 3) Union County (Kentucky) Head Coach: Robert Ervin In one of the most remarkable performances in the nation, Union County steamrolled the in-state competition to claim their fifth-straight Kentucky state title and 12th overall. One of my favorite stats for Union County is that runner-up Christian County amassed 200.5 team points. That’s an impressive number and should win any tournament. Well, that still saw them 98.5 points behind Union County. The Braves 299 team points obliterated the state scoring mark by over 40 points, a record that had been in place for 17 years. Six Union County wrestlers were able to come home with gold, as Trayce Eckman (113), Jake Insko (138), Dalton Russelburg (160), Stephen Little (170), Micah Ervin (182), and Matthias Ervin (285), all accomplished the feat. Matthias Ervin finished his high school career as a three-time state champion, while Russelburg and Micah Ervin grabbed their second. Three other Union County wrestlers, Trevor Pogue (145), Payne Carr (152), and Darius Moore (220), all appeared in the finals, as well. Of the 13 wrestlers that competed in the state tournament for Coach Ervin’s team, ten made the podium and none of those were lower than third place. The only third-place finisher was Gabe Adams at 132. One of the big events on Union County’s schedule saw them travel to Indiana for the Mater Dei Invitational. The Braves finished second to host Mater Dei, the 12th ranked team in the Great Lakes Region. They also captured a title at the Johnny Drennan 85 Memorial, by defeating Cleveland (TN) 276.5 to 232. A select few individuals were invited to the Walsh Ironman and 285 lber Matthias Ervin led the team with a fourth-place showing. At the State Duals, the Braves outscored their in-state competing 267 to 39 in four dual meets. Union County should still be formidable in 2020-21 as half of their six state champions will return. Among the remaining placewinners, Carr and Moore are both juniors and will come back, as well. Six Union County wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 2) Baylor School (Tennessee) Head Coach: Ben Nelson ****Coach Nelson has stepped down after the season and Rex Kendle is leading the program going forward**** There was little debate around who was the top team in Tennessee this year as Baylor added more trophies their collection. Baylor cruised to a 15th traditional state title and 11th dual championship during the 2019-20 season. They bested runner-up Christian Brothers by 65 points at the traditional tournament. Those two teams also met in the finals of the dual championship, won by Baylor 46-22. On their way to the finals, Baylor outscored their two opponents, 138-13. Six Baylor wrestlers (Nick Corday; 106, Jackson Bond; 113, Noah Horst; 132, Garrison Dendy; 138, Connor Duffy; 182, David Harper; 195) were able to come away with state titles at the traditional tournament. Dendy finished the year undefeated, while Horst and Harper had a loss, a piece. It was the fourth state title for Horst and the second for the other five winners. Also making the state finals for the Red Raiders were Omaury Alvarez (160) and Barre Chambers (220). Coach Nelson’s team had five other wrestlers make it on the state podium in Kade Hartline (120 – 3rd), Ryan Tisdale (126 – 3rd), Chase Radpour (145 – 3rd), Anthony Mannella (152 – 4th), and Ronald Garriques (170 – 3rd). Baylor took 13 wrestlers to the state tournament and all 13 placed in the top four. Their success wasn’t limited to Tennessee; however, Baylor captured a title at the Takedown Sportswear Invitational, which was hosted by Georgia’s Buford High School. The Red Raiders lapped the field with 310 points to second-place Creekview’s 190. Creekview were no slouches either; they captured GA’s 6A Traditional team title in 2020. Baylor’s toughest test came at the KC Stampede, where they finished second to Liberty (Missouri), the second-ranked team in the Midwest Region. They were only one point ahead of Tuttle, one of the top teams in Oklahoma. Dendy was able to win a title at the Stampede. The only dual losses on the year for Baylor came at the Blair Duals, where they fell to Blair Academy, Delbarton, and St. Joseph’s, three of the top teams in New Jersey. Baylor should be very strong in 2020-21, as well. Duffy is the only state champion that is not returning and one (Alvarez) runner-up will be back, too. Four Baylor School wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 1) Lake Highland Prep (Florida) Head Coach: Mike Palazzo Like most of the other regions we’ve recapped thus far, this was perhaps the easiest decision in the Southeast Regional rankings. Coach Mike Palazzo has built a dynasty in Florida that has also become one of the country’s top teams. The Highlanders crushed the Florida 1A field to grab their sixth consecutive title at the individual tournament. Lake Highland Prep rolled to a 289.5 to 173 win over second-place Somerset Academy. Eight LHP wrestlers, Ethan Rivera (106), Danny Nini (126), Chris Rivera (138), Justin Rivera (145), Noah Castillo (152), Bailey Flanagan (170), Easton Tobia (195), and Matt Kaplan (220) all got their hands raised during the state finals. David McClelland (120) also made the finals but had to settle for second place. They also thrived in a dual meet setting and rolled to a third consecutive dual state championship (it has only been offered three times). In the final, LHP dismantled Wakulla, 67-3. If that’s not enough, three others were able to get on the podium for Coach Palazzo’s team with William Kennedy (132 – 5th), Dominic Isola (160 – 3rd), and Hunter Brinkman (182 lbs). 113 lber Josh Boykin rounds out the state qualifiers for 2020. Coach Palazzo assembled one of the most challenging out-of-state schedules in the country. His team traveled to the Ironman, the Beast of the East, the Doc Buchanan, the Gilroy Duals, and the Beat the Streets Duals in Illinois. At least four Lake Highland Prep grapplers placed at all three of the big individual tournaments, highlighted by a title from Justin Rivera at the Doc B. Justin was one of seven LHP wrestlers that were among the top-eight at the Doc Buchanan, which led to a third-place finish for the team. The team was also sixth at both the Ironman and Beast. Justin and Chris Rivera were the only Highlanders able to place at all three tournaments. Lake Highland Prep will be interesting to follow in 2020-21 since they will not compete in the FHSAA, but at the National Prep level. Florida has restrictions that would have limited the out-of-state travel that the team has grown accustomed to. There’s no doubt that Coach Palazzo’s team will find a way to retool for 2020-21, but they are losing quite a bit of talent to graduation. The Rivera’s will attend Campbell this fall, while Castillo will head to Chattanooga, and Kaplan will enroll at the Air Force Academy. These are all wrestlers that have placed prominently in national level tournaments. Additionally, Tobia is set to attend Bellarmine, while Isola and Brinkman are also seniors. Seven Lake Highland Prep wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. *Could have sworn Dendy lost once. Wyoming Seminary or Blair? And what happened to Buford?

Congrats to John Roberts, Beech, the parents, and Baylor coaches for taking Noah to the next level... Kudos to Noah for the Dave Schultz... https://goduke.com/news/2020/5/18/wrestling-incoming-wrestler-parker-decker-honored-with-dave-schultz-high-school-excellence-award.aspx

Nolensville wrestling coach Josh Peck will exit role, returning to Ravenwood to teach By Cory Woodroof 23 hrs ago 0 After leading the Nolensville High School wrestling program to immediate success, Knights coach Josh Peck will be stepping down from the role. Peck announced Monday that he will be returning to Ravenwood High School, where he was a former wrestling coach, to teach robotics and programming. Peck spent the first four years with Nolensville building its wrestling program up from the ground. In the 2018-19 season, the team placed second in the state duals competition and has had numerous wrestlers compete in the state individual meets. "It is with great sadness I announce that I will be leaving Nolensville High School after 4 great years," Peck said in a release. "I have chosen to return to Ravenwood High School so I can spend more time with my family and take on a new challenge teaching robotics and programming. "I would like to thank the Nolensville community for their support over the past 4 years. I would especially like to thank the wrestling family that has spent countless hours creating great traditions. I will always have fond memories of the team and everything we accomplished." olensville principal Bill Harlin commended Peck for his time with the team. I want to thank Coach Peck and his staff for four impressive years of accomplishments," Harlin said in a release. "The wrestling team was runner up in the state duals last year, and they had a return trip this year. He did a great job of preparing multiple wrestlers to compete in the state duals and individual state meet. Coach Peck instilled in his wrestlers confidence and a passion for the sport. I appreciate his contributions, and we will be looking to build on his tenure of success."

Generations of talent building

Montgomery Central High School State Champ & senior Vivian Hurn was selected as a Tennessee distinguished finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, one of six in the state. Board of Education honor 1 of 3 Montgomery Central High School JROTC Academic Bowl participants include (from left) Christian Chesser, Julia Easter, Cheyenne Douthitt and Abria Peoples. SUBMITTED Pictured is Montgomery Central High School student Vivian Hurn. SUBMITTED https://www.mainstreetclarksville.com/news/board-of-education-virtually-honors-points-of-pride/article_e7ef85c2-9220-11ea-83ce-8f3c180015f4.html Kudos to educators, coaches and family also!!

Mobile Photo Credit: Smith Named NWCA Scholar All-American Sophomore has a 3.85 GPA in Business Analytics. May. 01, 2020 Wrestling STORY LINKS NWCA SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICANS University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sophomore wrestler Tanner Smith was named Scholar All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association this week. Smith is a two-time qualifier for the NCAA Tournament with a 3.85 grade-point-average in Business Analytics. In order to be considered for the NWCA Scholar All-American honors, individuals must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and be a 2020 NCAA Qualifier or have a 3.2 cumulative GPA and won 60% of total matches. Smith earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships at 149 pounds before the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was 25-9 on the year and the No. 22 seed in the bracket. Smith is the 14th Moc in school history to earn academic honors from the NWCA. He is also the first since Chad Pyke following the 2018 season. PRIOR TO UTC: Spent his true freshman year at Eastern Michigan in 2018 … redshirted but posted a 22-0 mark unattached … won five opens … named the #6 best redshirt in the country … state champion with a 54-1 mark as a senior at Mechanicsburg (Ohio) High School … competed for head coach Cameron Doggett … four-time Academic All-Ohio … member of National Honor Society … also lettered in football.

https://www.highschoolot.com/new-wrestling-rules-changes-address-weigh-in-procedures-hair-length-restrictions/19075680/ Previously, a wrestler’s hair could not “extend below the top of an ordinary shirt collar” in the back, below earlobe level on the sides or below the eyebrows in the front. Those confinements, along with the requirement that a hair cover be used for hair that exceeded said limitations, were deleted. Considerable support for this rule change from coaches and officials was generated by an initiative of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, which successfully experimented with relaxed hair restrictions this past winter. “Removing the hair-length rule is a monumental change,” Hopkins said. “It is important to embrace the current culture of young boys and girls who are expressing themselves through their appearance, making this the perfect opportunity to extend wrestling to young people who otherwise would not be attracted to our sport. While the hair-length restriction has been removed, the requirement that hair control devices/treatment items cannot be hard, abrasive or sharp remains. If a hair cover is used, it shall be attached to the ear guards. Additionally, the barring of oils, or greasy substances on or in the hair is still in effect.”

Chattanoogan... Ulric Winesburgh Named Soddy Daisy Wrestling Coach Former Trojan Graduate Was A State Champ For Soddy Daisy In 2007 Thursday, April 23, 2020 - by John Hunt Ulric Winesburgh has been named the new head wrestling coach for the Soddy Daisy Trojans. Among those pictured, from left to right, are Jared Hensley, Soddy Daisy athletic director, Winesburgh and Trojan principal Steve Henry. - photo by John Hunt Ulric Winesburgh is a 2007 graduate of Soddy Daisy High School where he was an individual state champion on a team of Trojans that won a state wrestling title as well. He learned a lot from then-head coach Steve Henry and decided at that point that being the head coach for his alma mater would be his dream job. The 30-year-old UTC graduate is about to get his chance. Soddy Daisy has been among the state powerhouses in wrestling for a long time as the Trojans have captured seven state titles since 1989, including four duals titles and three traditional ones. Next Up NEXT UP High School Wrestling Wrestling: Nolensville, Fairview grapplers highlight WillCo contingent on TSWA All-State teams Herald Sports Apr 23, 2020 Updated 20 hrs ago 0 4 min to read Gavin Channell and Kendrick Curtis Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam The Nolensville Knights landed five wrestlers on the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State teams for Class A-AA, while the Fairview boys added four more All-State nods for Williamson County. Six of the nine wrestlers are underclassmen. The Yellow Jackets earned a state runner-up trophy in both the Class A-AA Duals and individual state tournaments earlier this year. Fairview's representatives included Cody DeLano, a 182-pound senior, freshman Kendrick Curtis (152), freshman Malachi Bennett (145) and 138-pound junior Riley Bennett. Championship Wrestling: Fairview claims 2nd with 9 medalists; Nolensville produces pair of runners-up Nolensville was highlighted by seniors McKinley Wagner (195), Gavin Channell (152) and Jacob Vogelpohl (138), along with junior Riley Lippincoot (126) and freshman Cole Dorsett (106). In Class AAA, Brentwood's pair of state champions Skylar Coffey (285) and Johnny Mac Feldhacker (195) – both seniors – were named All-State, along with Centennial junior 145-pounder Alex Ables. In Division II, Logan Spell of Brentwood Academy and Jack Revere of Battle Ground Academy – both 160-pounders – and BA eighth grader Tre McTorry (113) were all recognized. The full list, which was released Thursday, is included below. Championship Wrestling: Brentwood's Feldhacker, Coffey earn titles on biggest stage 2020 TSWA All-State Wrestling Teams BOYS Class A-AA 106 Caleb Uhorchuk, Signal Mountain, Fr. Cole Dorsett, Nolensville, Fr. Marcus Smith, Gibbs, Fr. Hunter Gentry, Pigeon Forge, So. 113 LeAndre Dabney Jr., Greeneville, So. Gregory Gomez, Martin Luther King, Fr. Andy Cable, Pigeon Forge, Fr. Seth McCoy, Forrest, 8th grade 120 Daniel Uhorchuk, Signal Mountain, Jr. Trevor Lewis, Hixson, Jr. Caleb Gumlick, Pigeon Forge, Fr. Logan Heckert, Sycamore, Fr. 126 Hunter Mason, Greeneville, Fr. Riley Lippincott, Nolensville, Jr. Cole McCartney, Greenbrier, Sr. Noah Dyer, Pigeon Forge, So. 132 Josh Parton, Pigeon Forge, So. Dalen Kimble, Sycamore, So. Hunter Johnson, Greeneville, Jr. Jeremiah Shackleford, Hixson, Sr. 138 Garrett Foreman, Pigeon Forge, So. Riley Bennett, Fairview, Jr. Jacob Vogelpohl, Nolensville, Sr. Christian Moore, Gibbs, Sr. 145 Kodiak Cannedy, Greeneville, So. Kevin Muschel, Signal Mountain, Jr. Malachi Bennett, Fairview, Fr. Alex Overbay, Sullivan South, Jr. 152 Colby Dalon, Pigeon Forge, So. Ryan Wimbley, Alcoa, Sr. Gavin Channell, Nolensville, Sr. Kendrick Curtis, Fairview, Fr. 160 Wyatt McLemore, Eagleville, Jr. Preston Worley, Signal Mountain, Jr. Antonio Washington, Bolton, Sr. Anthony Jones, Alcoa, Sr. 170 Nick McClendon, Forrest, Sr. Matthew Trotter, Creek Wood, Sr. Caden Cline, Red Bank, Sr. William Carter, Alcoa, Sr. 182 Noah Hill, Forrest, Jr. Joseph Skidmore, Pigeon Forge, Jr. Jason Dennis, Eagleville, Jr. Cody DeLano, Fairview, Sr. 195 Jonathan Morton, Elizabethton, Jr. Caleb Wolfe, Pigeon Forge, Fr. Kambell Brown, Alcoa, Sr. McKinley Wagner, Nolensville, Sr. 220 Parrish Pacetti, Hixson, Jr. Elliott Grinder, Hume-Fogg, Sr. Ethan Sutton, Pigeon Forge, Jr. Cameron Hensley, Greeneville, Sr. 285 Lance Williams, Alcoa, Fr. Garrison Albino, Gibbs, Sr. Devotis McCurdy, Hixson, Sr. James Headrick, Whitwell, Sr. Class AAA 106 Bentley Ellison, Cleveland, Fr. Ethan Wilson, Bradley Central, Sr. Keegan Schulz, Munford, Sr. Nicholas Mercante, Wilson Central, Fr. 113 Thomas Borders, Wilson Central, Jr. Justin Bradford, Blackman, So. Arlo Laxton, Cleveland, So. Chris Calvin, McGavock Comprehensive, Jr. 120 Trey Bates, Beech, Jr. Jackson Bradford, Cleveland, Jr. Andrew Artiles, Collierville, Sr. Grant Fetters, Wilson Central, Sr. 126 Trae McDaniel, Cleveland, Jr. Brennan Watkins, Dobyns Bennett, Jr. Samuel Shires, Rossview, So. Mason Sells, Blackman, Fr. 132 Tyler Seeley, Science Hill, Sr. Ethan Moore, Rossview, Sr. Gavin Hughes, Bradley Central, Sr. Franky Medina, Riverdale, Sr. 138 Christian Isbell, Clarksville, Sr. Alan Fort, Wilson Central, Jr. Braxton Mann, Science Hill, Jr. Landon Fisher, Jefferson County, Jr. 145 Jackson Hurst, Dobyns Bennett, Jr. Thomas Williams, Rossview, Sr. Alex Ables, Centennial, Jr. Dylan Cockman, Arlington, So. 152 Mason Smith, Beech, Jr. Levi Stone, Wilson Central, Sr. Robert Laxton, Cleveland, Jr. Derrick Bannister, Kenwood, Sr. 160 Tre Morrisette, Dobyns Bennett, Jr. Dejon Glaster, Oakland, Sr. Jared Harter, Science Hill, Sr. Nate Schilling, Cleveland, Sr. 170 Gabriel Smith, Clarksville, Sr. Josh Pietarila, Hardin Valley, Sr. Anthony Gomez, Blackman, Sr. Zach Brezna, Cleveland, Sr. 182 Brooks Sacharczyk, Blackman, Sr. Hayden Maynor, Soddy Daisy, Sr. Cooper Richards, Springfield, Sr. Tyrone McDonald, Bradley Central, Sr. 195 Johnny Mac Feldhacker, Brentwood, Sr. Jason Brumlow, East Hamilton, Jr. Joshua Cummins, Anderson County, Jr. Kallum Lowe, Walker Valley, Jr. 220 Ashton Davis, Cleveland, So. Brandon Elkins, Knox Halls, Sr. Bowdy Boyce, Blackman, Sr. Ryver Shelton, Jefferson County, Jr. 285 Skylar Coffey, Brentwood, Sr. Jadon Langford, Walker Valley, Jr. Jared Dawson, Collierville, Sr. Gabrille Fletcher, McGavock Comprehensive, Sr. Championship Wrestling: McTorry of Brentwood Academy leads local DII finishers Division II 106 Nick Cordey, Baylor School, So. Wills Bronson, Christian Brothers, Fr. Tate Williams, Boyd-Buchanan, 8th grade AJ Jolly, Chattanooga Christian, Fr. 113 Jackson Bond, Baylor School, So. Tre McTorry, Brentwood Academy, 8th grade Nicholas Ridings, McCallie School, Fr. Robert Deitch, Notre Dame, Jr. 120 Dayne Dalrymple, Christian Brothers, Jr. Jack Braman, McCallie School, Jr. Kade Hartline, Baylor School, Jr. Chase Eakes, Friendship Christian, Fr. 126 Emory Taylor, McCallie School, Jr. Thomas Wesnofske, Father Ryan, Jr. Ryan Tisdale, Baylor School, Fr. Will Higgins, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr. 132 Noah Horst, Baylor School, Sr. Aidan Bowers, Christian Brothers, So. Ian McGehee, Memphis University School, Fr. Frank Perazzini, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr. 138 Garrison Dendy, Baylor School, So. Sean Pitts, Father Ryan, So. Adam Garfinkel, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr. Sebastian Bougeois, St. Benedict, Jr. 145 Evan Anthony, Christian Brothers Benjamin Marchetti, Father Ryan Chase Radpour, Baylor School Rand Holtzclaw of McCallie School 152 Garrett Bowers, Christian Brothers, Sr. Lawrence Madson, Father Ryan, Sr. Christian Howard, Memphis University School, Jr. Anthony Mannella, Baylor School, Fr. 160 James Whitworth, McCallie, Jr. Omaury Alvarez, Baylor School, Fr. Logan Spell, Brentwood Academy, Jr. Jack Revere, Battle Ground Academy, Jr. 170 Gavin Cagle, McCallie School, Jr. JaCorey Miller, Father Ryan, Sr. Ronald Garriques, Baylor School, So. Gervacio Gonzalez, Christian Brothers, So. 182 Connor Duffy, Baylor School, Sr. Riley Looper, McCallie School, Sr. Anthony Wright, Father Ryan, Sr. Mason Skeeters, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr. 195 David Harper, Baylor School, So. Parker Petersen, Father Ryan, Jr. Gabe Fisher, Montgomery Bell Academy, Fr. Connor Billingsley, Christian Brothers, Jr. 220 Al Wooten, Christian Brothers Barre Chambers, Baylor School David Dixon, Boyd-Buchanan Toleo Malone, Ensworth School 285 James Howard, McCallie School, So. Ryan Jackson, Friendship Christian, Sr. Jacob Brigman, Notre Dame, Sr. Joseph Moore, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr. GIRLS 103 Avery Kibelbek, David Crockett, So. Elizabeth Raper, Cookeville, So. Ella-lina Gonzalez, West Creek, Fr. Anna Fisher, Alcoa, Jr. 112 Kerra Strevel, Heritage, Jr. Verena Pate, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, Fr. Savanah Barefield, Rossview, Sr. Jesmarie Negron, Forrest, Sr. 119 Annalynn Rakett, Clarksville Academy, So. Tyesha Thomas, Elizabethton, Jr. Divine Desilets, Tullahoma, Jr. Emma Wallen, Science Hill, Jr. 125 Robbin Yunis, Rossview, Sr. Taylor Howell, Clarksville, Sr. Morgan Sacharczyk, Blackman, Fr. Kaylee Hayes, Gibbs, Sr. 132 Emma Walker, Rossview, Sr. Rontaysia Payne, Dickson County, Jr. Lilly Pendleton, Cheatham County, Sr. Jaelyn Patton, Stone Memorial, Fr. 140 Saqara Buchanan, Rossview, Sr. Genesis Gilmore, Montgomery Central, Fr. Leann Worley, Jefferson County, Jr. Iliana Pate, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, So. 150 Vivian Hurn, Montgomery Central, Sr. Elizabeth Champion, Tullahoma, Jr. Brette Spink, Northwest, So. Nena Brown, Blackman, So. 160 Maggie Graham, Bartlett, Fr. Brielle Bissonette, Rossview, Jr. Taylor Rickley, Northwest, Sr. Brianna Thompson, Heritage, So. 170 Shelby Zacharias, Creek Wood, Jr. Rose Gailan, Nashville Overton, Sr. Mazzy Wilson, Stone Memorial, So. Lilly Chantler of Clarksville Northwest, Fr. 190 Ariyanna Anderson, Creek Wood, So. Jamya Brewer, Rossview, Jr. Kaevon Burney, Clarksville, Sr. Korrine Abston, Stone Memorial, Jr. 215 Valerie Smith, McGavock Comprehensive, So. Jayla Washington, Cordova, Sr. Taylor Davis, Heritage, Sr. Trinaty Robinson, Columbia Central, Jr. Tags Tswa Tswa All-state Wrestling Fairview Wrestling Nolensville Wrestling Brentwood Wrestling Centennial Wrestling Brentwood Academy Wrestling Battle Ground Academy Wrestlin . http://www.williamsonherald.com/sports/wrestling-nolensville-fairview-grapplers-highlight-willco-contingent-on-tswa-all-state-teams/article_a65ddb20-8593-11ea-bc85-57a8f336da50.html

Former Blackman assistant Eric Sacharczyk to head up Riverdale wrestling program CECIL JOYCE | MURFREESBORO DAILY NEWS JOURNAL 5:00 a.m. CDT Apr. 13, 2020 0:00 0:00 Video Eric Sacharczyk was a vital part of the Blackman wrestling program as an assistant over the past five years. He will now be a rival of the Blaze, taking over as head coach of the Riverdale program. "It's exciting," said Sacharczyk, who was a health sciences teacher at Rockvale this year but said that the "plan was" to move over to Riverdale. "The first thing that stands out to me is the support from the administration." Sacharczyk's son, Brooks, recently completed his senior season and won the Class AAA state title in the 182-pound division. "It's good timing, with Brooks going off to college," Sacharczyk said. "He's interested in getting a degree in education, and he wants to coach. For the amount of time we spent together as a coach and wrestler, it would be nice to coach with him. Hopefully I can build a program to pass along to him." Former Blackman assistant wrestling coach Eric Sacharczyk is shown during a 2019 practice. Sacharczyk will take over the Riverdale wrestling program next season. HELEN COMER/DNJ His daughter, Morgan, was a freshman this season for Blackman and finished as a state medalist in the girls individual tournament. Sacharczyk said she has "expressed a desire" to go to Riverdale. Former Blackman Middle wrestling coach Dario Rudas, who also assisted at Blackman High this past season, will be moving over to assist Sacharczyk at Riverdale, Sacharczyk said. More: Sacharczyk siblings headline DNJ's 2020 all-area wrestling teams Sacharczyk previously coached at Christian Brothers in Memphis for eight seasons before coming to Blackman. He was part of a highly successful program over recent years under coach Ronnie Bray. The Blaze finished fourth in state duals and third as a team in the state individual tournament in 2020.

Skip to main WIND OF CHANGE: High School wrestling’s shift for female equality in NC 1 / 3 Bandys' freshman wrestler Bryce Kirkland battling Newton-Conover's Nathan Vang in the 106-pound class on Jan. 28 for the Trojans' 'Senior Night.' (O-N-E file photo by Michelle Thompson) By: Marcus Smith Sports Editor Friday, April 3, 2020 NEWTON, NC Times are changing and the tide is turning in equality for women in sports. So, what’s next? In the past few years, there has been a wind of change for females in amateur wrestling across the United States and North Carolina is finally following this national trend. Uwharrie Charter High junior Heaven Fitch proved just what women can do in this sport as she became the first female wrestler in North Carolina history to win an individual state championship (1A) against men in the NCHSAA high school wrestling state championships on Feb. 23. This victory for Fitch leaves the sport up for grabs in terms of the heights females can go. Fitch was also named the 2020 1A Most Outstanding Wrestler, after having placed fourth in her first individual state championships in 2019 (the first-ever female to compete in this NC tournament). In 2019, North Carolina began this transition of female excellence as it finally instituted a women’s high school wrestling invitational that saw promise. A task force was also created in 2019 with the hopes of making female wrestling a separate entity in high school athletics. Presently constructed, high school wrestling only has female leagues in 16 of the 50 U.S states: Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Colorado, California, Illinois, Hawaii, Missouri, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas and the State of Washington. During the 2019-20 season, competitors from Catawba County participated in the 2nd Annual North Carolina Women’s Wrestling Invitational from Feb. 7-8 at the Carolina Courts in Concord, NC. There were 86 schools with individuals competing and 14 weight classes in which they competed in this second-annual event. Of those participating, one hailed from Bandys High School while one came from Newton-Conover High School. Trojans’ freshman Bryce Kirkland competed in this invitational, along with Red Devils’ freshman Savannah Brown. Brown (2-7) was defeated in the first-round of the invitational championships by Richlands’ Shelyn Williams (10-5) via a 2:35 pinfall. She had an opportunity to bounce back in the first-round of the consolations, but she lost to Swain County’s Erika Wachacha (7-6) via forfeit. Kirkland (8-12) battled her opponents in the 106 A weight class, going up against Polk County’s Tori Strickland (27-19) in the first-round of the invitational, where she won via a 3-2 decision. Next up was the quarterfinal match-up with South Lenoir’s Gracie Elliott (26-13) in which Kirkland dropped this bout via pinfall in 19 seconds. Kirkland didn’t waver, though, as she came back in the first-round of the consolation rounds to defeat Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy’s Abigail Waters (8-20) via a 2:39 fall. Unfortunately, this momentum didn’t last as she finally saw her first season with the Trojans come to an end via a 16-6 major decision loss to NC School of Math and Science’s Madeline Smith in the third-round of the consolations. Although she fell in this women’s tournament, Kirkland sees a great deal of progression for the sport and the diversity it will entail in the foreseeable future. “My hopes for the future of female wrestling are very high,” she said. “I would love to see a league for just girls; me and my high school coach (Justin Adams) have even talked about trying to recruit more girls and hopefully start a girls team for the high school. I pray that female wrestling continues to grow as it has for the past several years. “(As far as the invitational), being able to compete was an absolute pleasure. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be around so many fellow female wrestlers. I love seeing all of us come together, one thing especially because it is commonly done by men. I was also incredibly grateful for my teammates that showed up just to support me.” In terms of her first appearance on the Trojans this season, Kirkland said things were a bit awkward at first as she had expected. “The more I was around them they warmed up to me and they really started to create some relationships with me,” she said. “Some of my favorite memories were definitely when I won but I also loved the bus rides, getting to spend that time with my team was just such a great experience they are all such great people to be around.” Kirkland said her interest in wrestling began when she was younger because of her family: “Many of my friends wrestle, as well as my brother,” she said. “When I was little, I admired wrestling; just watching my brother piqued my interest, but most of all, my parents because they supported me from the very beginning no matter what I wanted to do. “ I have obtained many things from wrestling some of which being: determination, commitment, and the ability to work hard for what I want. I hope to improve my skills by continuing to practice even in the off season, wrestling freestyle, possibly weight training, and some personal practices with my brother and my dad.” Her rival and Catawba County counterpart wrestling team - the Maiden Blue Devils - also had two female members this season: freshmen Magnolia Vang and Miranda Valerio. Although the two didn’t have too many matches during the 2019-20 campaign, they also have hopes for more progression for females in the near future. Valerio and Vang both competed in the 113-pound weight class with Valerio finishing 8-10 and Vang unfortunately losing all six of her bouts. “My experience wrestling with Maiden High School was fun (and) enjoyable,” said Valerio. “I loved that it made me stay in shape and that we worked hard. My favorite thing is when we (would) go to far places to wrestle like when we went to Watauga High School...I (also) like to wrestle in the tournaments. I think it gives you an opportunity to get better, every match you learn from your mistakes in just one day.” Valerio said that the future of female wrestling can be an empowerment for the women. She said that girls can come out and show off against the guys by beating them and proving they’re just as strong as they are. She feels it can be a tool to relieve stress and help girls become stronger women. Valerio also said that she definitely sees the potential of a future for a female wrestling league in North Carolina. She said she went to the 2nd Annual Women’s Wrestling Invitational this season and saw all of the girls competing in the different weight classes. She said that a separate league is possible if girls were coming out to try and not being scared to. She also mentioned what led her to pursue wrestling: “I was a manager for Newton-Conover Middle School wrestling 7th grade year, and I liked how aggressive they are and how intense they were,” she said. “I wanted to be in a sport that would keep me in shape, and I liked the coaching (there) and how he pushed you to become better. So, I wrestled a little my 8th grade year and I won one match. I wanted to come back my 9th grade year and work really hard to strive to win more matches and get better at the sport I really like to do.” She said what she’s taken away so far from her experience is that teammates don’t care that you’re a girl as they support you no matter what. Valerio’s also learned that no matter the outcome - win or lose - they will be happy with you as long as you give it your all. “I hope to improve my skill level, get stronger, and win more matches and even be able to go to regionals,” said Valerio. As for Vang, she described her time with Maiden wrestling as a special thing. “I had to go through some moments, even the toughest ones, if I was passionate about what I was doing,” she said. “There isn’t really one fond moment I have because this was my first year and I was still learning, but if I had to choose then maybe (it would be) during the Christmas Classic Tournament when the team won first (place).” Prior to her time on the mat this past season, Vang had never competed in wrestling or any sports for that matter. One of her best friends actually convinced her to take the chance. Her friend had wrestled in middle school, but Vang said she wasn’t allowed, at the time, to participate in sports or school activities. Vang said as the two were heading into high school, her best friend moved away and that was the time she was convinced to go for it. “I had some hard time deciding if I really should do it or not,” she said. “Because without her, I would’ve been out of place as I have never wrestled or done sports in general. At the end, I did it and I don’t regret it...I hope to improve myself in the future by asking for more advice from those who know what they’re doing especially since I started as a freshman. Also, (I need) to do extra lifting or something more than what I did at home this past season (to get better). “My thoughts about (the) future of girls’ wrestling in North Carolina and in the USA is ‘You can do it’ because if you are down to do it, put your heart and time into it. I can’t answer for sure but everything starts with something, even if it’s a little. That being said, girls having their own league (in) wrestling is growing. There are some girls I personally know that are really into wrestling right now. So, as (I) said, there isn’t a thing wrong with girls wrestling.” *Story published in the O-N-E's Profile edition on Tuesday, March 31.* https://www.observernewsonline.com/content/wind-change-high-school-wrestling’s-shift-female-equality-nc

Sacharczyk siblings headline DNJ's 2020 all-area wrestling teams The Daily News Journal https://www.dnj.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dnj.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fhigh-school%2F2020%2F04%2F03%2Fhigh-school-wrestling-daily-news-journal-2020-all-area-teams%2F2876619001%2F ------------------------ Tennessean All-Midstate boys and girls high school wrestling teams for 2020 TOM KREAGER | NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN 10:00 p.m. CDT Apr. 2, 2020 Watch the highlights from the 2020 TSSAA individual wrestling state championships. Watch Thomas Borders win Class... Watch Brentwood's Skylar Coffe... Watch Brentwood's Johnny Mac F... Watch Rossview's Robin Yunis w... Watch Forrest's Noah Hill win ... Watch Rossview's Emma Walker w... Boys First team The first eight athletes are nominees for the boys wrestler of the year. Thomas Borders Wilson Central, Jr. Weight class: 113 pounds Why chosen: Borders won the Class AAA state title, pinning Blackman's Justin Bradford in 5:47. Trey Bates Beech, Jr. Weight class: 120 pounds Why chosen: Bates won the Class AAA state title, beating Cleveland's Jackson Bradford 6-1. Christian Isbell Clarksville, Sr. Weight class: 138 pounds Why chosen: Isbell won the Class AAA state title, pinning Wilson Central's Alan Fort in 3:42. Mason Smith Beech, Jr. Weight class: 152 pounds Why chosen: Smith won the Class AAA state title, beating Wilson Central's Levi Stone 5-3. Wyatt McLemore Eagleville, Jr. Weight class: 160 pounds Why chosen: McLemore won the Class A/AA state title, beating Signal Mountain's Preston Worley 14-6. Gabriel Smith Clarksville, Sr. Weight class: 170 pounds Why chosen: Smith won the Class AAA state title, beating Hardin Valley's Josh Pietarila 4-3. Brooks Sacharczyk Blackman, Sr. Weight class: 182 pounds Why chosen: The Arkansas-Little Rock signee won the Class AAA state title, beating Soddy-Daisy's Hayden Maynor 5-1. He had a 36-1 record. Skylar Coffey Brentwood, Sr. Weight class: 285 pounds Why chosen: The Tennessee track and field signee won his second Class AAA state title, beating Walker Valley's Jadon Langford by pin in 2:26. He had a 49-1 record. TSSAA wrestling: Individual championships in pictures Swipe to view all View All Photos Rest of first team Nicholas Mercante Wilson Central, Fr. Weight class: 106 pounds Why chosen: Mercante finished fourth in the Class AAA state tournament and had a 46-7 record. Samuel Shires Rossview, So. Weight class: 126 pounds Why chosen: Shires finished third in the Class AAA state tournament, beating Blackman's Mason Sells 6-0. He had a 52-2 record. Ethan Moore Rossview, Sr. Weight class: 132 pounds Why chosen: Moore finished second in the Class AAA state tournament. He had a 55-3 record. Thomas Williams Rossview, Sr. Weight class: 145 pounds Why chosen: Williams finished second in the Class AAA state tournament. He had a 52-2 record. Parker Petersen Father Ryan, Jr. Weight class: 195 pounds Why chosen: Petersen finished second in the Division II state tournament. He had a 34-2 record. Bowdy Boyce Blackman, Sr. Weight class: 220 pounds Why chosen: Boyce finished third in the Class AAA state tournament, beating Jefferson County's Ryver Shelton because of an injury forfeit. He had a 55-5 record. Second team 106: Owen Gobel, Franklin, So. 113: Justin Bradford, Blackman, So. 120: Grant Fetters, Wilson Central, Sr. 126: Mason Sells, Blackman, Fr. 132: Frank Perazzini, MBA, Jr. 138: Riley Bennett, Fairview, Jr. 145: Alex Ables, Centennial, Jr. 152: Levi Stone, Wilson Central, Sr. 160: Dejon Glaster, Oakland, Sr. 170: Nick McClendon, Forrest, Sr. 182: Cooper Richards, Springfield, Sr. 195: Johnny Mac Feldhacker, Brentwood, Sr. 220: Elliot Grinder, Hume-Fogg, Sr. 285: Ryan Jackson, Friendship Christian, Sr. Coach of the year James Derrick Fairview Why chosen: Derrick led the Yellow Jackets to the program's first Class A/AA state runner-up finish in the duals tournament as well as a runner-up finish in the traditional state tournament. TSSAA wrestling: Individual state championships Swipe to view all View All Photos Girls First team The first eight athletes are nominees for the girls wrestler of the year. Annalynn Rakett Clarksville Academy, So. Weight class: 119 pounds Why chosen: Rakett won the state tournament, beating Elizabethton's Tyesha Thomas 8-3. Robin Yunis Rossview, Sr. Weight class: 125 pounds Why chosen: Yunis won her fourth straight state title, pinning Clarksville's Taylor Howell in 3:14. Emma Walker Rossview, Sr. Weight class: 132 pounds Why chosen: Walker won her third straight state title, pinning Dickson County's Rontaysia Payne in 1:35. SaQara Buchanan Rossview, Sr. Weight class: 140 pounds Why chosen: Buchanan won the state title, pinning Montgomery Central's Genesis Gilmore in 1:02. Vivian Hurn Montgomery Central, Sr. Weight class: 150 pounds Why chosen: Hurn won the state title, pinning Tullahoma's Elizabeth Champion in 3:24. Shelby Zacharias Creek Wood, Jr. Weight class: 170 pounds Why chosen: Zacharias won the state title, pinning Overton's Rose Gailan in 3:23. Ariyanna Anderson Creek Wood, So. Weight class: 190 pounds Why chosen: Anderson won the state title, pinning Rossview's Jamya Brewer in 1:24. Valerie Smith McGavock, So. Weight class: 215 pounds Why chosen: Smith won the state title, pinning Cordova's Jayla Washington in 52 seconds. Rest of first team Elizabeth Raper Cookeville, So. Weight class: 103 pounds Why chosen: Raper finished second in the state tournament, falling to David Crockett's Avery Kibelbek by pin. Verena Pate St. Andrew's-Sewanee, Fr. Weight class: 112 pounds Why chosen: Pate finished second in the state tournament, falling to Heritage's Kerra Strevel by pin. Brielle Bissonette Rossview, Jr. Weight class: 160 pounds Why chosen: Bissonette finished state runner-up to Bartlett's Maggie Graham, falling by pin. Second team 103: Ella-Lina Gonzalez, West Creek, Fr. 112: Savannah Barefield, Rossview, Sr. 119: Divine Desilets, Tullahoma, Jr. 125: Taylor Howell, Clarksville, Sr. 132: Rontaysia Payne, Dickson Co., Jr. 140: Genesis Gilmore, Montgomery Central, Fr. 150: Elizabeth Champion, Tullahoma, Jr. 160: Taylor Rickley, Northwest, Sr. 170: Rose Gailan, Overton, Sr. 190: Jamya Brewer, Rossview, Jr. 215: Trinity Robinson, Columbia, Jr. Coach of the year Jeff Price Rossview Why chosen: Price led Rossview to the program's third straight state championship. __________________________ From Open Mat... Welcome to a new feature that we at TOM are very proud of, the High School regional rankings. For the next couple of weeks, we will release rankings of eight different regions that will cover the entire nation. Why is this needed, you may ask? These rankings will allow us to focus more attention on wrestlers from around the country that could be considered overlooked at this time. With talent clustered in certain areas of the nation, there are plenty of quality wrestlers from outside those “power-states” or regions that may get slighted. And don’t worry, we’ll have rankings for those areas too! Our fourth installment of the regional rankings will focus on the Southeast Region. This area will include wrestlers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. For these rankings and all others, only wrestlers that competed in the state tournament series (aside from Ohio) will be considered. They will only be ranked at their weight from the state tournament, as well. This will only include high school wrestlers, even if their state allows seventh and eighth graders to compete at the high school level. Also, wrestlers from private schools will be counted in the state of their school, not their home state. Once all of our rankings have been released, they will be found here. So, with all of that out of the way, enjoy the Southeast Regional Rankings! Weight/Rank Name School Grade State College 106 1 Spencer Moore Walton-Verona So. Kentucky 2 Nick Corday Baylor School So. Tennessee 3 Kai Owen Tampa Jesuit So. Florida 4 Cole Hunt Dalton So. Georgia 5 Mark Samuel Laney So. North Carolina 6 Cooper Haase Kissimmee Osceola Fr. Florida 7 Hayden Whidden Lake Gibson So. Florida 8 Blaise Albarado Thompson Jr. Alabama 9 Matthew Eberly New Kent Fr. Virginia 10 Peter Henderson McAdory Jr. Alabama 11 Trevon Gray Oscar Smith Jr. Virginia 12 Reese Jones Ola So. Georgia 106 is a strong weight class that features the only wrestler in the region that’s ranked in the top-three nationally at their respective weight in #1 Spencer Moore. Spencer rolled to his second straight Kentucky state title, finished sixth at the Super 32 and earned a spot on TOM’s All-Sophomore team. #2 Nick Corday also was among the top 20 in the final rankings, while #3 Kai Owen spent a bulk of the year in them. The two squared off at the Prep Slam and it was Corday who prevailed 2-1. #4 Cole Hunt and #5 Mark Laney both finished the year unbeaten and claimed state titles. Forgot Password RELATED ITEMS:FEATURED, HS REGIONAL RANKINGS, SOUTHEAST RANKINGS, TOM PRIME The Top 20 Non-NCAA Champions of the Last 20 Years TOM’s High School Regional Rankings: Great Lakes TOM’s High School Regional Rankings: Midwest Cy-Hawk Series & The Rise of the Sun Devils on Takedown TV Early Upsets + Dual Previews on Takedown TV The Transfer Portal + No. 1 Goes Down and More from the Opening Week on Takedown TV Recruiting Blowing Up + Wrestle Offs Notes + U23’s on Takedown TV Preseason Top 10 Takeaways The Open Mat ® (TOM) is dedicated to covering the sport of Amateur Wrestling. TOM provides news, analysis, opinions and coverage of College, High School, and International TRENDING TOM’s High School Regional Rankings Page Five Questions After the Cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Championships National High School Wrestling Individual Rankings – March 18th, 2020 TOM’s High School Regional Rankings: Rocky Mountain TOM’s High School Regional Rankings: Midwest © Copyright Advanced Sports Media %year%, All Rights Reserved | Theopenmat.com 5855 Green Valley Circle, Suite 303, Culver City, CA 90230 87 Shares 13

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My golly... Probably one of the toughest tournaments in the past 15-20 years... i.e.,. 2x TN State OW Felix gets frustrated in the finals and many other shockers. Here an update on Felix's foe from Ringgold... https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/columns/story/2020/mar/28/wiedmer-covid-19-pandemic-gives-local-mmfight/519383/

Photo Credit: Pam Ruschell Junior Fabian Gutierrez and sophomore Tanner Smith earned at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament today. Gutierrez, Smith Earn At-Large Bids to the NCAA Tournament Mocs will send three to Minneapolis on March 19-21. Mar. 10, 2020 Wrestling STORY LINKS 2020 NCAA TOURNAMENT FIELD ANNOUNCED The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team earned two at-large bids to the upcoming 2020 NCAA Championships today. Junior Fabian Gutierrez and sophomore Tanner Smith made their way into the field with today's announcement by the NCAA. Gutierrez finished second at 125 pounds at the SoCon Championships in Boone, N.C., on Sunday. He is 17-9 overall and ranked No. 24 in the most recent NCAA Coaches Panel rankings. Smith was runner-up at 149 pounds in Sunday's SoCon Tournament. He lost in a true-second place qualifying match, but still has a team-best 25-9 overall record. He was No. 23 in the final coaches panel listings. These two join sophomore Matthew Waddell, who earned an automatic bid by finishing second at the SoCon Tournament at 184 pounds. Waddell posted a 22-9 overall record and was No. 16 in the coaches poll at the end of the regular season. Up next for the Mocs is tomorrow's NCAA Selection Show on NCAA.com. The full brackets are set for release at 6:00 p.m. (E.D.T.). This year's tournament is held in Minneapolis, Minn., from March 19-21. Fabian Gutierrez PositionHometownCommerce City, Colo.High SchoolAdams City HS CHATTANOOGA: Recipient of the Joyce Litchford Memorial Scholarship. 2018-19 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Went 17-4 at 125 ... 4-0 mark in dual matches ... named SoCon Wrestler of the Week after winning the Hokie Open ... sixth place finish at the Wolfpack Open ... second place showing at the Cougar Clash ... names SoCon Wrestler of the Month for December with a 3-1 mark and two pins. 2017-18 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Went 6-8 at 125 ... finished fourth in the Fr./So. bracket at the Hokie Open ... runner-up at the Appalachian Open. 2016-17 • REDSHIRT SEASON: Sat out the season as a redshirt. PRIOR TO UTC: State champion and Most Outstanding Wrestler at Adams City High School in Commerce City, Colo … competed for head coach Tom Deaguero … three-time EMAC league champion … 45-3 as a senior … 153-26 career mark … Dean’s List student … second team all-conference in football as a senior … also competed in soccer and diving. PERSONAL: Full name is Fabian Clairio Anthony Gutierrez … born May 26, 1998 … son of David & Reggie Gutierrez … has a younger brother, Maximus, and a younger sister, Phoebe … Sport Management major. Gutierrez's Career Stats Year Weight Dual Tournament Total 2017-18 125 0-1 6-7 6-8 2018-19 125 4-0 13-4 17-6 Totals 4-1 19-11 23-14 Tanner Smith PositionHometownNew Carlisle, OhioHigh SchoolMechanicsburg HSPrevious SchoolEastern Michigan CHATTANOOGA: UT Foundation Harold and Amy Stiles Scholarship recipient ... Business Analytics major. 2018-19 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Southern Conference Freshman of the Year ... member of the SoCon All-Freshman team ... posted a 12-9 mark at 149, including 6-3 in duals ... runner-up at the SoCon Tournament where he earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships ... 1-2 at the NCAAs ... made the Dean's List and the A.D. Honor Roll both semesters ... made the SoCon Honor Roll. PRIOR TO UTC: Spent his true freshman year at Eastern Michigan in 2018 … redshirted but posted a 22-0 mark unattached … won five opens … named the #6 best redshirt in the country … state champion with a 54-1 mark as a senior at Mechanicsburg (Ohio) High School … competed for head coach Cameron Doggett … four-time Academic All-Ohio … member of National Honor Society … also lettered in football. PERSONAL: Full name is Tanner Clay Smith … son of Clay & Marlene Smith … has triplet sisters, Brittany and Sierra. Smith's Career Stats Year Weight Dual Tournament Total 2018-19 149 6-3 6-6 12-9

For those of you that follows one of GA's hot beds... (Yes RMC, we know you know much of this if not more ) Gwinnett Takedown Club honors season's best in high school wrestling From staff reports Mar 6, 2020 Buford's Nick Stonecheck before the 152-pound final in the Gwinnett County Wrestling Championships at Mill Creek. Will Hammock The Gwinnett Takedown Club released its awards for the best in local high school wrestling this week. Collins Hill was named the club’s Team of the Year, while the Wrestler of the Year went to Buford’s Nick Stonecheck, a four-time state champion. Collins Hill’s Nate Ethridge earned Coach of the Year honors, while Assistant Coach of the Year went to Archer’s Colby Reinhardt. The Walt Hennebaul Man of the Year was Buford assistant Tom Beuglas Sr., and the Randy Bortles Referee of the Year was Shane Haff. North Gwinnett’s Dianna Holmes received the Matt Peddicord Award. The club also recognized all-county teams and scholar-athletes. Those award-winners are as follows: All-County Boys First team 106 pounds: Banks Bitterman, Mill Creek 113: Wade Hipp, Archer 120: Powell Gilbert, Collins Hill 126: Joey Felix, Collins Hill 132: Elijah Griffin, Collins Hill 138: Clint Gilbert, Collins Hill 145: Rex McDaniel, North Gwinnett 152: Nick Stonecheck, Buford 160: Lucas DeSilva, Collins Hill 170: Blaine Bergey, Buford 182: Garrett Spikes, Mountain View 195: JoJo Oldknow, Brookwood 220: Evan DiMaggio, Buford 285: Tanner Bivins, Wesleyan Girls First Team 102: Kennedy Shropshire, Mountain View 112: Dianna Holmes, North Gwinnett 122: Diana Quiroz, Discovery 132: Aki Choates, Duluth 152: Tiyahna Askew, Collins Hill 197: Mi’Kel Jiles, Meadowcreek 225: Lauren Ashley Miller, Peachtree Ridge Second team Vernon Rogers, Archer (106); Xavier Bentley, Buford (113); Nick Cambria, Buford (120); Grant Turner, Mill Creek (120); Tyler Henley, Buford (126); Nic Bachmann, Mill Creek (132); Florin Myndresku, Archer (138); Zander Clark, Lanier (145); Armond Jones, Mountain View (152); Charlie Darracott, Buford (160); Chase Hornsby, Brookwood (170); Landon Moss, Brookwood (182); Moses Pryor, Central Gwinnett (195); Jalen Cole, Dacula (220); D.J. Morrison, Collins Hill (285) Honorable mention Nathan Pratt, Archer; Cameron Sapp, Archer; Terrence Lewis, Berkmar; Ally Graham, Berkmar; Alex Bonn, Brookwood; Camron Starks, Brookwood; Chandler Mullis, Brookwood; Dylan Bozoian, Buford; J.T. McCullough, Buford; Jacob Downing, Buford; James Ayo, Central Gwinnett; Richard Ransom, Collins Hill; Andrew Davell, Dacula; Gary Dever, Discovery; Skye Loonubon, Duluth; Mason Bruning, GAC; Na’im Moss, GAC; Lafayette Gurvin, Grayson; Davon Mayfield, Grayson; Cole Beasley, Lanier; Chris Wheeler, Lanier; Bryan Chan Mendez, Meadowcreek; Joey Bambinelli, Mill Creek; Gavin Guerra, Mill Creek; Lex Hennebaul, Mountain View; Andrew Mettler, Norcross; Kiernan Sherwood, North Gwinnett; Seth Anderson, North Gwinnett; Oscar Balog, Parkview; Timberly Peters, Parkview; Rebecca Juarez, Parkview; Stanley Lal, Peachtree Ridge; Alitza Dennard, Peachtree Ridge; Monsurrat Nunez, Peachtree Ridge; Deonte McNair, Shiloh; Lester James, South Gwinnett; David Richards, South Gwinnett; Matthew Morse, Wesleyan; Trent DeBow, Wesleyan; Sam Schmitt, Wesleyan; Eric Berry, Wesleyan Scholar-Athlete Award Archer: Wade Hipp Berkmar: Victor Padilla Brookwood: Brian Wu Buford: Charlie Darracott Central Gwinnett: Moses Pryor Collins Hill: Joey Felix Dacula: Riley Adcock Discovery: Diana Quiroz Duluth: Aki Choates GAC: Hudson Higgins Grayson: Daniel Leiva Lanier: Mason Ladd Meadowcreek: Carlos Sandoval Mill Creek: Grant Turner Mountain View: Garrett Spikes Norcross: Charlie Hammock North Gwinnett: Kiernan Sherwood Parkview: Joey Thomas Peachtree Ridge: Joshua Kang Shiloh: Traeveon Roberts South Gwinnett: William Sanabria Wesleyan: Eric Berry

Agreed... Why not? Never made sense to me. They all put their pants on the same way, right? Duals, I'm good with... Cleveland and Baylor should schedule out for an elite midseason tri or quad with some invitations,,, e. g., Blackman, Ryan, Wilson Central, Science Hill/DB etc