Sommers

Wrestling pays off for the Vols... Defensive lineman Jordan Phillips would start off the commitment barrage on July 1. The Ocoee, Florida native chose Tennessee over a final group that included Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Maryland. Phillips ranks as the 640th best player and 96th best defensive lineman in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-2, 300 pound defensive lineman is a three sport athlete at Ocoee High School, excelling in wrestling and weight lifting on top of football. https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2021/07/09/recapping-busy-week-of-tennessee-football-recruiting/

Wrestling pays off for the Vols... Defensive lineman Jordan Phillips would start off the commitment barrage on July 1. The Ocoee, Florida native chose Tennessee over a final group that included Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Maryland. Phillips ranks as the 640th best player and 96th best defensive lineman in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-2, 300 pound defensive lineman is a three sport athlete at Ocoee High School, excelling in wrestling and weight lifting on top of football. https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2021/07/09/recapping-busy-week-of-tennessee-football-recruiting/

Wrestling pays off for the Vols... Defensive lineman Jordan Phillips would start off the commitment barrage on July 1. The Ocoee, Florida native chose Tennessee over a final group that included Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Maryland. Phillips ranks as the 640th best player and 96th best defensive lineman in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-2, 300 pound defensive lineman is a three sport athlete at Ocoee High School, excelling in wrestling and weight lifting on top of football. https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2021/07/09/recapping-busy-week-of-tennessee-football-recruiting/

Wrestling pays off for the Vols... Defensive lineman Jordan Phillips would start off the commitment barrage on July 1. The Ocoee, Florida native chose Tennessee over a final group that included Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Maryland. Phillips ranks as the 640th best player and 96th best defensive lineman in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-2, 300 pound defensive lineman is a three sport athlete at Ocoee High School, excelling in wrestling and weight lifting on top of football. https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2021/07/09/recapping-busy-week-of-tennessee-football-recruiting/ And yes, this is going on the football boards as well

Ed Holland takes over for Jerry Teaster as Heritage wrestling coach By Noah Taylor noah.taylor@thedailytimes.com 9 hrs If it was anywhere but Heritage, Ed Holland likely wouldn’t be coaching wrestling in East Tennessee. Holland, who took over the Mountaineers’ wrestling program on Tuesday, leaned on his long-time relationship with outgoing coach Jerry Teaster when making the decision whether or not to be his successor. It was a relationship that went back to his own high school playing days and persisted throughout the years. “I’d always had a really good relationship with Jerry,” Holland told The Daily Times. “I actually wrestled against his son and wrestled for him in high school. I didn’t know if it was something I wanted to do, but I got to coach a few years at McDonogh School in Baltimore and when I came back I realized it was something that I wanted to do. When I heard the (Heritage) job was open, I was really excited about it.” A 2011 graduate out of Pigeon Forge High School, Holland spent years competing against Teaster’s teams and then competing for him on a summer travel team before playing a year at the collegiate level at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. But it wasn’t until working as an assistant coach at the wrestling program at McDonogh School that Holland realized coaching was what he wanted to do. “I knew in high school that I really loved the sport and that it was something I wanted to do,” Hollands said. “At McDonogh, I got to work around a bunch of guys that wrestled in college at programs like Penn State, Pitt and Navy. It was really after college that I really grew to love coaching. “I loved the experience of playing in college and competing at that level, but when I got to coach and impact kids’ lives and give them the opportunities that I didn’t have, that’s what I loved.” It was those attributes that led Teaster to give Holland a call about the opening, and it’s those same attributes that have him confident in the direction will take the program that he coached the last 11 years. “Just the mindset that Ed has, you know, he’s all about getting the kid where he needs to be,” Teaster said. “If they’re willing to put in the work, he’ll definitely get them there. We couldn’t have found a better coach. I’m tickled to death to be a part of his life growing up and being able to hand this off to him is very special to me.” Teaster decided to step down to focus on his Maryville-based hardscaping business, “Teaster’s Natural Creations,” which has taken off in the past year and required more of his team, but he plans to stick around the program he helped guide to 10 state tournament appearances and eight region titles as Holland’s assistant. “It’s been very successful,” Teaster said. “We’ve grown tremendously over the years. We’ve been able to get into the right contacts. I was on the USA Board, I was a national team member coach. We had a lot of teams that traveled all over the country. All of them had some really good offers. “Just the success for these kids and getting them to the next level and seeing where they’re at. We didn’t know much when we got started but we’ve been pretty successful since then.” Because it was Teaster’s program, the opportunity to take over for his former coach and mentor was an opportunity too good to pass up for Holland. “It’s awesome,” Holland said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to be the head coach (at Heritage), honestly. Jerry came to me about it and if it was anywhere else, I probably wouldn’t do it. There’s a big legacy there he left behind and there’s opportunities for this program.” Now Holland will look to build a legacy of his own off of the success Teaster left behind and looking to reach the threshold of the program’s first state championship. His sights are also set on more than winning titles. “It’s always to win state titles,” Holland said. “That’s my thing. I like to win because it makes the sport more fun when you are winning. But the ultimate goal is to get kids to the next level because I know winning isn’t always everything. I want to get them to college and prepare them not just in wrestling but for life opportunities. “That’s the thing about college, the experiences you learn in wrestling, the work ethic you learn will follow you in life.” Follow @ByNoahTaylor on Twitter for more from sports reporter Noah Taylor. https://www.thedailytimes.com/sports/ed-holland-takes-over-for-jerry-teaster-as-heritage-wrestling-coach/article_2cbfd573-bc6f-5db0-bc07-0e92207f74ff.html

Kudos to Tennessee girls wrestling getting national recognition... Avery Kibelbek, Junior, Limestone, Tennessee, Wyoming Seminary (PA) 112 Bryce White. Sophomore, Hermitage, Tennessee, Cane Ridge High School (18 at 138) Piper Fowler, Eighth Grade, Cleveland, Tennessee, Cleveland Middle School (23 at 144) ( also Blackman area transfer) Maggie Graham, Sophomore, Bartlett, Tennessee, Bartlett High School (4 at 152) Shelby Zacharias, Senior, Charlotte, Tennessee, Creek Wood High School (23 at 164) Ellla Murphey, Freshman, Knoxville, Tennessee, Harden Valley High School (14 at 200) Chukwuedom Odeigah, Junior, Collierville, Tennessee, Collierville High School (21 at 200) Ariyanna Anderson, Junior, Charlotte, Tennessee, Creek Wood High School (22 at 200) Valerie Smith, Junior, Nashville, Tennessee, McGavock High School (3 at 225) https://ctwrestling.com/2021/07/five-state-wrestlers-ranked-in-final-girls-rankings-of-season/4213/

Maryland wrestling adds Elijah Oliver as volunteer assistant This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news By Wesley Brown@W_Brown21 Jun 30, 2021, 6:30am Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports Maryland wrestling added a key piece to its coaching staff with the announcement of Elijah Oliver joining the program as a volunteer assistant. Oliver, an Indiana native, was a four-year starter and a team captain for the Indiana Hoosiers. He was also a four-time NCAA qualifier and accumulated a 91-52 record during his college career. As a senior in 2018-19, Oliver tallied 29 wins and finished fourth at the Big Ten Championships. Over the course of his career at Indiana, Oliver never finished below eighth at the conference championships. “Elijah is an exciting young coach that I couldn’t be more pumped about,” Maryland head coach Alex Clemsen said in a statement. “He knows the Big Ten and brings another piece of our puzzle together in College Park. We can’t wait to have him join us in July and get to work as a full strength staff.” The Terps are coming off of a rough 2020-21 campaign that saw them go 0-8 during the regular season and finish 14th at the Big Ten Championships. https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terps/2021/6/30/22556748/maryland-wrestling-elijah-oliver-volunteer-assistant-coaching-addition-indiana-big-ten-alex-clemsen

More Bosken coverage... https://wdef.com/2021/06/29/clevelands-josh-bosken-wins-aau-national-coaching-award/

Chattanoogan... Cleveland’s Bosken Wins 2021 National AAU Coach Of The Year Monday, June 28, 2021 Coach Bosken is pictured with AAU Executive Committee Member Dave Bennets at the organization’s award ceremony this week in Orlando Coach Bosken is pictured with AAU Executive Committee Member Dave Bennets at the organization’s award ceremony this week in Orlando Josh Bosken has been named the 2020-21 AAU Wrestling National Coach of the Year for the Southeastern District. Coach Bosken, currently the head coach of the famous Higher Calling Youth Wrestling Club in Cleveland, was named winner of the prestigious honor at the AAU’s annual meeting this week in Orlando. “Since he became involved in the Cleveland/Higher Calling Wrestling Program, Coach Bosken has helped coach 95 Tennessee High School state medalists and 28 Tennessee high school state champions, plus contributing to 16 high school, Middle School, and Elementary Team state title winning teams,” said Dave Bennets, AAU executive committee member. “Josh has played a crucial role in all three phases of the program - middle school, high school, and Higher Calling. He understands how important each phase is and the AAU is thankful for what he means to Higher Calling.” Coach Bosken is a former Tennessee High School state champion and former wrestler at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has served as a past head coach of the Cleveland High School Blue Raiders wrestling team and has been involved with the high school and middle school wrestling programs at Cleveland since 2007. In 2017, Coach Bosken took the reins of the Higher Calling Youth Wrestling Club based in Cleveland, after running the club successfully earlier in his career. Higher Calling is a wrestling program that gives young wrestlers of all skill levels, grades K through eight, a chance to learn the essentials of practice and competition. The goal of the program is to train and maintain the highest-quality athletes to help continue the finest wrestling program in Tennessee. Coach Bosken trained athletes, male and female, have also had great success on the national wrestling scene. Wrestlers who have gone through his Higher Calling Program have won national championships and many have earned all Americans honors on the elementary, middle school and high school levels. “Coach Bosken’s Bosken Trained Wrestling Camps have earned the reputation of being one of the best camp opportunities offered in the United States today,” said Mr. Bennets. “The AAU is thrilled to award Josh with one of our highest honors. He exemplifies great coaching at every level.” The Amateur Athletic Union is an amateur sports organization based in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. It has more than 700,000 members nationwide, including more than 100,000 volunteers. Businessman Allan Jones, the largest donor to Higher Calling and Cleveland wrestling – as well as to crosstown rival Bradley Central - said Bosken deserves the AAU recognition. “Bosken is the single biggest reason that Cleveland is the most dominant wrestling force in Tennessee history – he should also get Cleveland’s ‘Realtor of the Year’ award because we have families who are relocating to Cleveland and purchasing houses just so their kids can wrestle for him through Higher Calling,” said Mr. Jones. “After we won the state wrestling tournament this year, I watched the wrestlers swarm Bosken immediately so they could hug him and thank him.” Mr. Jones credited Coach Bosken for 2021 - the “Greatest Year in Cleveland Wrestling History” – when Cleveland broke a TSSAA record by having nine wrestlers in the state championship finals and set another TSSAA recording by having six individual state champions. The team also had three all Americans – Trae McDaniel, Ashton Davis and Cody Chittum – with Mr. Chittum being ranked number one in the nation. “Bosken’s passion and work ethic, along with this ability to connect and motivate young wrestlers, is why he has won this important award from the AAU,” said Mr. Jones, who also noted that Coach Bosken has coached four wrestlers who became state champions as freshmen – the most of any Tennessee coach. “Bosken is a huge part of the reason that Cleveland has now won state championships in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 and again this year,” Mr. Jones said. “Thanks to the coaching of Josh Bosken, this is the number one wrestling town in the state of Tennessee - and any team wanting to win a state championship must come through Cleveland first.” Mr. Jones recalled that Coach Bosken became involved in Cleveland wrestling back in 2006, when the businessman was asked to help jumpstart the overall city wrestling program. Mr. Jones developed a “six-year plan” to bring the Blue Raiders to the forefront of the state wrestling elite. He hired a national athletic recruiting firm to find a head coach for the Blue Raiders and eventually hired Heath Eslinger. Coach Bosken helped Coach Eslinger and later took over the kids club to ensure the Cleveland pipeline would stay full. “Since 2008, Cleveland has finished first or second every year,” Mr. Jones said. “We won it all eight times and were runner-up five times.” Mr. Jones, who donated both the Jones Wrestling Center at Cleveland and the Bradley Central High School Wrestling Center, ended his remarks on Coach Bosken by saying, “Josh Bosken proves that it is the coaches, not the buildings, that win championships.” Also... https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/clevelands-higher-calling-youth-wrestling-coach-bosken-wins-2021-national-aau-coach-of-the-year/article_1b6e53c7-a824-536f-9fde-d09430012f26.html Wouldn't it be something to have a year end D1, D2 and possibly AA competition after state? If not, perhaps Baylor and Cleveland schedule one dual+ one individual tournament with full lineups there?

Male Wrestler of the Year: Trey Bates, Beech; Thomas Borders, Wilson Central; Justin Bradford, Blackman; Gabe Fisher, MBA; Wyatt McLemore, Eagleville; Parker Petersen, Father Ryan. Female Wrestler of the Year: Brielle Bissonette, Clarksville; Ella Lina Gonzalez, Clarksville; Justina Nikolao, Rossview; Rontaysia Payne, Dickson Co.; Roseanna Vaughn, Clarksville Northwest; Shelby Zacharias, Creek Wood. TENNESSEE HS WRESTLING:Meet the Tennessean All-Midstate high school boys and girls wrestling teams Female Athlete of the Year presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans of Tennessee: Kaley Campbell, Summertown; Reghan Grimes, Ravenwood; Gretchen Walsh, Harpeth Hall. Male Athlete of the Year presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans of Tennessee: Langston Patterson, Parker Petersen, Father Ryan; C.J. Taylor, Warren Co. https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/high-school/sports-awards/2021/06/25/how-watch-middle-tennessee-sports-awards-who-nominated/5331838001/

Great for wrestling.... Ex-Michigan All-American Adam Coon makes leap from wrestling mat to NFL https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2021/06/ex-michigan-all-american-adam-coon-makes-leap-from-wrestling-mat-to-nfl.html

Excellent point... I've always wondered about Jackson, TN, Gallatin, TN, and Union City as well.

Kids and parents need to understand just how much Wrestling enhances a football prospects resume, rankings and recruitment by D1 coaches. James Howard’s overall recruitment has been greatly enhanced by his wrestling resume. Same goes for Parker Peterson who has already reported to Tulane. Lance Williams recruitment is being heavily influenced by his wrestling background. The list goes on and on. College coaches especially D1 coaches really like big lineman who have a wrestling background. I think as a sport we really do a poor job of communicating that fact to our big kids across the state at a young age. CT poster "Durdon" "Just wanted to try to take a look at Adam," Vrabel explained of the signing of Coon when the coach spoke with the media on Thursday. "I followed his wrestling career for a while. Something we looked at and, again, I was a part of as a player taking a former wrestler and they developed into an offensive lineman with Stephen Neal." Vrabel played with the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2008 and Neal played for them from 2002 to 2010. Just like Coon, Neal played high school football but never in college, concentrating and flourishing in wrestling. "Wrestlers, especially at that elite level, have unbelievable balance, core strength, things that I think would translate well to an offensive lineman," Vrabel said. Coon, having claimed Greco-Roman and freestyle championships and medals throughout a decorated college and Team U.S.A. tenure, notably was a two-time NCAA finalist (2015, 2018), a 2018 Senior world silver medalist, two-time Senior World Team member and a 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials runner-up. https://www.nfl.com/news/can-titans-ol-adam-coon-be-the-next-stephen-neal

Posted once again on all divisions. Here's the first one. Slight variation on d2...

"Kids and parents need to understand just how much Wrestling enhances a football prospects resume, rankings and recruitment by D1 coaches. College coaches especially D1 coaches really like big lineman who have a wrestling background. I think as a sport we really do a poor job of communicating that fact to our big kids across the state at a young age." CT poster Durdon "Just wanted to try to take a look at Adam," Vrabel explained of the signing of Coon when the coach spoke with the media on Thursday. "I followed his wrestling career for a while. Something we looked at and, again, I was a part of as a player taking a former wrestler and they developed into an offensive lineman with Stephen Neal." Vrabel played with the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2008 and Neal played for them from 2002 to 2010. Just like Coon, Neal played high school football but never in college, concentrating and flourishing in wrestling. "Wrestlers, especially at that elite level, have unbelievable balance, core strength, things that I think would translate well to an offensive lineman," Vrabel said. Coon, having claimed Greco-Roman and freestyle championships and medals throughout a decorated college and Team U.S.A. tenure, notably was a two-time NCAA finalist (2015, 2018), a 2018 Senior world silver medalist, two-time Senior World Team member and a 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials runner-up. https://www.nfl.com/news/can-titans-ol-adam-coon-be-the-next-stephen-neal

"Kids and parents need to understand just how much Wrestling enhances a football prospects resume, rankings and recruitment by D1 coaches. College coaches especially D1 coaches really like big lineman who have a wrestling background. I think as a sport we really do a poor job of communicating that fact to our big kids across the state at a young age." CT poster Durdon "Just wanted to try to take a look at Adam," Vrabel explained of the signing of Coon when the coach spoke with the media on Thursday. "I followed his wrestling career for a while. Something we looked at and, again, I was a part of as a player taking a former wrestler and they developed into an offensive lineman with Stephen Neal." Vrabel played with the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2008 and Neal played for them from 2002 to 2010. Just like Coon, Neal played high school football but never in college, concentrating and flourishing in wrestling. "Wrestlers, especially at that elite level, have unbelievable balance, core strength, things that I think would translate well to an offensive lineman," Vrabel said. Coon, having claimed Greco-Roman and freestyle championships and medals throughout a decorated college and Team U.S.A. tenure, notably was a two-time NCAA finalist (2015, 2018), a 2018 Senior world silver medalist, two-time Senior World Team member and a 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials runner-up. https://www.nfl.com/news/can-titans-ol-adam-coon-be-the-next-stephen-neal

"Kids and parents need to understand just how much Wrestling enhances a football prospects resume, rankings and recruitment by D1 coaches. College coaches especially D1 coaches really like big lineman who have a wrestling background. I think as a sport we really do a poor job of communicating that fact to our big kids across the state at a young age." CT poster Durdon "Just wanted to try to take a look at Adam," Vrabel explained of the signing of Coon when the coach spoke with the media on Thursday. "I followed his wrestling career for a while. Something we looked at and, again, I was a part of as a player taking a former wrestler and they developed into an offensive lineman with Stephen Neal." Vrabel played with the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2008 and Neal played for them from 2002 to 2010. Just like Coon, Neal played high school football but never in college, concentrating and flourishing in wrestling. "Wrestlers, especially at that elite level, have unbelievable balance, core strength, things that I think would translate well to an offensive lineman," Vrabel said. Coon, having claimed Greco-Roman and freestyle championships and medals throughout a decorated college and Team U.S.A. tenure, notably was a two-time NCAA finalist (2015, 2018), a 2018 Senior world silver medalist, two-time Senior World Team member and a 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials runner-up. https://www.nfl.com/news/can-titans-ol-adam-coon-be-the-next-stephen-neal

This is going on football now... "Kids and parents need to understand just how much Wrestling enhances a football prospects resume, rankings and recruitment by D1 coaches. College coaches especially D1 coaches really like big lineman who have a wrestling background. I think as a sport we really do a poor job of communicating that fact to our big kids across the state at a young age." CT poster Durdon "Just wanted to try to take a look at Adam," Vrabel explained of the signing of Coon when the coach spoke with the media on Thursday. "I followed his wrestling career for a while. Something we looked at and, again, I was a part of as a player taking a former wrestler and they developed into an offensive lineman with Stephen Neal." Vrabel played with the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2008 and Neal played for them from 2002 to 2010. Just like Coon, Neal played high school football but never in college, concentrating and flourishing in wrestling. "Wrestlers, especially at that elite level, have unbelievable balance, core strength, things that I think would translate well to an offensive lineman," Vrabel said. Coon, having claimed Greco-Roman and freestyle championships and medals throughout a decorated college and Team U.S.A. tenure, notably was a two-time NCAA finalist (2015, 2018), a 2018 Senior world silver medalist, two-time Senior World Team member and a 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials runner-up. https://www.nfl.com/news/can-titans-ol-adam-coon-be-the-next-stephen-neal

Tullahoma wrestlers take part in Grapple on the Gridiron tullahomanews.com505 Lakeway PlaceTullahoma, TN 37388 Liv Hogan, Isabel Petty, Payton Agnell and Cody Agnell all traveled to take part in the outdoor tournament. Hogan, Petty and Payton all left their competitions with medals, and Hogan and Petty both took first place in their respective weight classes. “They are doing what the previous girls in the past who have been successful did, which is competing during the offseason,” said THS Head Girls Coach Jenna Morris. “They found opportunities on their own, even when coaches couldn’t travel with them. Leading by example is very important.” https://www.tullahomanews.com/sports/local/putting-in-the-work/article_3eba3b12-c944-11eb-8dda-5b7d3df677b9.html

https://hotinfonow.com › Sport Tennessee Titans sign all-American wrestler Adam Kuhn on offensive line 5 days ago — Coon has no experience playing college football, but he was a state defender in 2012 at Fowlerville High School in Michigan.

Pair Of Top-60 Recruits Jointly Commit To Wyoming High school teammates Garrison Dendy and David Harper have committed to the Cowboys. https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/7078180-pair-of-top-60-recruits-jointly-commit-to-wyoming

Yes!!!! Elite wrestler Adam Coon of Fowlerville signs with Tennessee Titans Livingston Daily Before Adam Coon became one of the best heavyweight wrestlers in the world, he was an all-state football player at Fowlerville High School.

Big 2023 Offensive Lineman Lance Williams is Ready to Show His Strength at WV... A background in high school wrestling has prepared him for a life of working the offensive line. “Definitely being able to use my hips, my aggressiveness, my cardio,” Williams said. “I think every football player should wrestle, and I’ve been doing it since I was four.” https://wvsportsnow.com/big-2023-offensive-lineman-lance-williams-is-ready-to-show-his-strength/