Fifty Best Prep Wrestlers in Tennessee State History

[BuckLateral]

 

 

remember - I was not covering the match for chattanoogan.com .. john hunt was .. Jason and I were doing the broadcast for McCallie on the McCallie web site ..not a neutral internet site.

 

that makes a big difference ..

 

I graduated in '69 and wrestled for four years under Col. Dave Spencer and some years under Jim Morgan, Paul Tessmann, Fred Wunderlich .. Jason wrestled for Gordon Connell and won 3x titles

 

thanks, b.b.b.

 

 

BB----did Ward gig you about that last night, because you made that same comment on the air? Was he trying to put a little TPF muscle on The Chattanoogan.com? In the middle of all the give and take about the referee's caution calls/no-calls, you said to someone words to the same effect: that you were not covering the match as a reporter, that if you were you would have to be neutral, but that you were doing the broadcast for McCallie on the McCallie website as a fan of McCallie, so you did not have to remain neutral and "can say that if I want to". I spewed my drink all over my computer keyboard when I heard you. Since I know your blood runs blue, it was one of those moments where I wanted to look at whoever caused you to make that comment with a " duh......and you were really thinking he might be neutral at this match?"

 

Good job last night. Enjoyed your insights into the matches as they were unfolding and, despite your blue heritage, you were complimentary of the boys in red tights-----must be all those formative years under Shaack's tutelage before you got sucked in by the Blue Tornado.

[Raider76]

 

 

remember - I was not covering the match for chattanoogan.com .. john hunt was .. Jason and I were doing the broadcast for McCallie on the McCallie web site ..not a neutral internet site.

 

that makes a big difference ..

 

I graduated in '69 and wrestled for four years under Col. Dave Spencer and some years under Jim Morgan, Paul Tessmann, Fred Wunderlich .. Jason wrestled for Gordon Connell and won 3x titles

 

thanks, b.b.b.

 

BB Thanks for all the work on this list. I enjoyed reading about kids that I had forgotten about. I don't see anyone on the list that doesnt belong there. How can I watch the Web cast of Baylor McCallie match. I have never seen BB get rattled before and I think that would be fun to see.

BB----did Ward gig you about that last night, because you made that same comment on the air? Was he trying to put a little TPF muscle on The Chattanoogan.com? In the middle of all the give and take about the referee's caution calls/no-calls, you said to someone words to the same effect: that you were not covering the match as a reporter, that if you were you would have to be neutral, but that you were doing the broadcast for McCallie on the McCallie website as a fan of McCallie, so you did not have to remain neutral and "can say that if I want to". I spewed my drink all over my computer keyboard when I heard you. Since I know your blood runs blue, it was one of those moments where I wanted to look at whoever caused you to make that comment with a " duh......and you were really thinking he might be neutral at this match?"

 

Good job last night. Enjoyed your insights into the matches as they were unfolding and, despite your blue heritage, you were complimentary of the boys in red tights-----must be all those formative years under Shaack's tutelage before you got sucked in by the Blue Tornado.

[bbb]

 

 

remember - I was not covering the match for chattanoogan.com .. john hunt was .. Jason and I were doing the broadcast for McCallie on the McCallie web site ..not a neutral internet site.

 

that makes a big difference ..

 

I graduated in '69 and wrestled for four years under Col. Dave Spencer and some years under Jim Morgan, Paul Tessmann, Fred Wunderlich .. Jason wrestled for Gordon Connell and won 3x titles

 

thanks, b.b.b.

 

BB Thanks for all the work on this list. I enjoyed reading about kids that I had forgotten about. I don't see anyone on the list that doesnt belong there. How can I watch the Web cast of Baylor McCallie match. I have never seen BB get rattled before and I think that would be fun to see.

BB----did Ward gig you about that last night, because you made that same comment on the air? Was he trying to put a little TPF muscle on The Chattanoogan.com? In the middle of all the give and take about the referee's caution calls/no-calls, you said to someone words to the same effect: that you were not covering the match as a reporter, that if you were you would have to be neutral, but that you were doing the broadcast for McCallie on the McCallie website as a fan of McCallie, so you did not have to remain neutral and "can say that if I want to". I spewed my drink all over my computer keyboard when I heard you. Since I know your blood runs blue, it was one of those moments where I wanted to look at whoever caused you to make that comment with a " duh......and you were really thinking he might be neutral at this match?"

 

Good job last night. Enjoyed your insights into the matches as they were unfolding and, despite your blue heritage, you were complimentary of the boys in red tights-----must be all those formative years under Shaack's tutelage before you got sucked in by the Blue Tornado.

 

 

sorry not sure I followed all above comments. what I remember happening is after the second caution . Cate did a "double flinch'' soon thereafter but there was no call and Jason and I have the best seatsin the house after the officials .. and Cate is facing us. we said that is his third and stated that the ref missed the call.. then when he jumped the gun with 20+ seconds remaining to try and escape . did not need any help from Clements - we said that's his fourth but knowing that the ref really missed the third one but still a point for Houston. Gordon noted that it was three.

 

then Ward looked at us and said it was only two and we said no it's four and we exchanged 2s and 4s a couple of times.

 

Ward was not needling me after the match but stating his opinion about Clements which is fine. I just don't think Clements caused Cate to jump four times. especially the last one.

 

If I had been covering the match for the chattanoogan.com I would and have done so in the past been more neutral but still pulled for the Big Blue.

 

I was not a reporter last nite and Jason and I are broadcasting for McCallie ..

 

when I do the McCallie Invite finals with Jason he can be more for McCallie than I and that is the way I approach that tourney since I am covering the event for chattanoogan.com.

 

not sure if you agree but hopefully that makes sense. would also like to see a replay . good to laugh at yourself but McCallie system cannot archive events. maybe in two years., cannot broadcast from Baylor because no wireless capability.

 

yes Schaack, Bones Griffith, Alex Wells, Boomer "Mr. Notre Dame'' Brown, Bunny Jones and others raised us at the Playground. no greater time that 10-4 Mon-Fri in the summer months with Coach Stamps.

 

b.b.b.

[BuckLateral]

 

sorry not sure I followed all above comments. what I remember happening is after the second caution . Cate did a "double flinch'' soon thereafter but there was no call and Jason and I have the best seatsin the house after the officials .. and Cate is facing us. we said that is his third and stated that the ref missed the call.. then when he jumped the gun with 20+ seconds remaining to try and escape . did not need any help from Clements - we said that's his fourth but knowing that the ref really missed the third one but still a point for Houston. Gordon noted that it was three.

 

then Ward looked at us and said it was only two and we said no it's four and we exchanged 2s and 4s a couple of times.

 

Ward was not needling me after the match but stating his opinion about Clements which is fine. I just don't think Clements caused Cate to jump four times. especially the last one.

 

If I had been covering the match for the chattanoogan.com I would and have done so in the past been more neutral but still pulled for the Big Blue.

 

I was not a reporter last nite and Jason and I are broadcasting for McCallie ..

 

when I do the McCallie Invite finals with Jason he can be more for McCallie than I and that is the way I approach that tourney since I am covering the event for chattanoogan.com.

 

not sure if you agree but hopefully that makes sense. would also like to see a replay . good to laugh at yourself but McCallie system cannot archive events. maybe in two years., cannot broadcast from Baylor because no wireless capability.

 

yes Schaack, Bones Griffith, Alex Wells, Boomer "Mr. Notre Dame'' Brown, Bunny Jones and others raised us at the Playground. no greater time that 10-4 Mon-Fri in the summer months with Coach Stamps.

 

b.b.b.

 

BB----I agree with with your explanation and everything you said makes sense. I fully expected you to be pulling for McCallie. A mutual friend of ours ( the bald-headed one who traded green for purple and then red ) and I laughed about it before the match----that you broadcasting a McCallie match for McCallie on the McCallie website might make John Ward look neutral by comparison. I just wondered who/what caused your comments -----wasn't surprised by the comments so much as I was that someone would open that door in the first place. When I read this morning that you were sitting next to Ward, I thought maybe he had gigged you with something like "you can't say that, you 're a reporter". Don't let BCB cohort Raider76 bait you------you didn't sound rattled to me------quite the contrary, you seemed pretty adamant in the in the righteousness of your position. He just wants to add to the pound of flesh TBSFBAG got on Monday.

 

Baylor is not wireless? They built that multi-million dollar combination wrestling and swimming facility just a few years ago and did not make it wireless? How did that happen? How do they expect those student athletes to study on their computers in there while they are waiting for practice and matches to start up? There is a reason why when we were growing up McCallie was thought of as the more academic of the two schools while Baylor was the jock factory.

[bbb]

 

sorry not sure I followed all above comments. what I remember happening is after the second caution . Cate did a "double flinch'' soon thereafter but there was no call and Jason and I have the best seatsin the house after the officials .. and Cate is facing us. we said that is his third and stated that the ref missed the call.. then when he jumped the gun with 20+ seconds remaining to try and escape . did not need any help from Clements - we said that's his fourth but knowing that the ref really missed the third one but still a point for Houston. Gordon noted that it was three.

 

then Ward looked at us and said it was only two and we said no it's four and we exchanged 2s and 4s a couple of times.

 

Ward was not needling me after the match but stating his opinion about Clements which is fine. I just don't think Clements caused Cate to jump four times. especially the last one.

 

If I had been covering the match for the chattanoogan.com I would and have done so in the past been more neutral but still pulled for the Big Blue.

 

I was not a reporter last nite and Jason and I are broadcasting for McCallie ..

 

when I do the McCallie Invite finals with Jason he can be more for McCallie than I and that is the way I approach that tourney since I am covering the event for chattanoogan.com.

 

not sure if you agree but hopefully that makes sense. would also like to see a replay . good to laugh at yourself but McCallie system cannot archive events. maybe in two years., cannot broadcast from Baylor because no wireless capability.

 

yes Schaack, Bones Griffith, Alex Wells, Boomer "Mr. Notre Dame'' Brown, Bunny Jones and others raised us at the Playground. no greater time that 10-4 Mon-Fri in the summer months with Coach Stamps.

 

b.b.b.

 

BB----I agree with with your explanation and everything you said makes sense. I fully expected you to be pulling for McCallie. A mutual friend of ours ( the bald-headed one who traded green for purple and then red ) and I laughed about it before the match----that you broadcasting a McCallie match for McCallie on the McCallie website might make John Ward look neutral by comparison. I just wondered who/what caused your comments -----wasn't surprised by the comments so much as I was that someone would open that door in the first place. When I read this morning that you were sitting next to Ward, I thought maybe he had gigged you with something like "you can't say that, you 're a reporter". Don't let BCB cohort Raider76 bait you------you didn't sound rattled to me------quite the contrary, you seemed pretty adamant in the in the righteousness of your position. He just wants to add to the pound of flesh TBSFBAG got on Monday.

 

Baylor is not wireless? They built that multi-million dollar combination wrestling and swimming facility just a few years ago and did not make it wireless? How did that happen? How do they expect those student athletes to study on their computers in there while they are waiting for practice and matches to start up? There is a reason why when we were growing up McCallie was thought of as the more academic of the two schools while Baylor was the jock factory.

 

 

Duke Arena and Worsham Arena are not wireless. have to run lots of connections from other parts of the bldg to Duke Arena. wish they had wired Worsham Arena. that would be easy to make the connection.

 

b.b.b.

[memphiswrestling171]

I know it's way to early cause they are years away but kaleb baker and Tate Robinson from cbhs could be in this list somewhere as Tate is ranked in top 10 in country before entering as a freshman and kaleb is also ranked high but this is only my opinion of future state champs and national champs

[memphiswrestling171]

Also Daniel baucke whO wrestled at cbhs should be ranked somewhere here

[smwwrest]

Also Daniel baucke whO wrestled at cbhs should be ranked somewhere here

 

Last year's class of National Placers and ranked wrestlers included Croy, Thomas and Baucke.

[StarRaider]

b.b.b's post is a classic (at least until Raider76 chimed in, downhill from there). Should be a pinned at the top of the page.

Edited December 25, 2010 by StarRaider

[Raider76]

GREAT ARTICLE B.B., THANKS FOR SHARING IT WITH US.

 

THE ANIMAL

I agree with the Animal. Good list fun to remember some of those guys.

[takedown3]

Speaking of really really old writers, Jay Searcy has a book out. It's about growing up in Oak Ridge when it was the "Secret City". The man was one of the best sports writers this area ever experienced. He had a particular gift for writing about high scholl athletics.

 

He also wrote a memorable article about when Ernie Rose pinned himself. It was one of the very few matches Ernie and demonstrated how humbling the mat can be.

Edited December 27, 2010 by takedown3

[MatMaster16693]

Compiling a top 10 best in this country is nearly as American as mom, the flag and apple pie.

 

From the 10 toughest guys in your neighborhood growing up, to rock-n-roll�s greatest hits of the 60s to the best utube videos.

 

How fiting, on the Eve of the 50th of the state wrestling tournament (Feb. 18-20), to name Tennessee�s best prep wrestlers in the past half century.

 

It�s a given that today�s mat warriors are more skilled than their predecessors from a generation ago and possibly even a decade ago. But in an effort to honor the past wrestlers - upon whose shoulders today�s wrestlers stand � and the present champs, here is not only the top 10, but the 50 best high school wrestlers in Tennessee.

 

The criteria includes one�s high school career complete with at least one state title, success at senior nationals and cadet and junior freestyle and greco-roman nationals at Fargo, N.D., with college achievements a plus.

 

Mid South Conference: The vast majority of wrestlers who competed in the prep school Mid South Conference (1949-1970 for wrestling) did not compete in the state tournament; thus, are not eligible for this list.

 

But the handful of Mid South wrestlers who were allowed to compete in the 1961 and 1962 state tournaments are eligible and some did make the list as state champs.

 

The national prep champions from the Mid South are listed at the end of the story.

 

No doubt, several can and will argue for wrestlers in their region of the state over others which makes the discussion interesting, stimulating and welcome.

 

No Tonys, Oscars or Emmys are awarded and no checks handed out to the top 10. Just an opinion, yet hopefully an educated one, with solid input from across the state.

 

One wrestling official stated that, "We are not re-writing The Bible ... this is just an opinion!''

 

Those champions who stand out from the hundreds, yes maybe thousands of teens who have dared to walk alone to center mat in the squared circle before roaring student body�s to test their abilities against another in honorable combat.

 

Warriors who have pushed themselves to the limit and beyond and have stood alone on the top step on many a Saturday afternoon, when in a six-minute span of time, which seemed an eternity, boys become men and legends in our sport.

 

To all who have wrestled and worked hard we salute you and to those who have reached higher we acknowledge those accomplishments as well.

 

With that, here is the best of the best; those with sterling credentials and lofty numbers.

 

Top 10

 

1. BILL HARLOW ... St. Andrew�s ... �62 state champ at 171 ... also won Mid South and national prep titles in �62 � OW in all three tournaments � defeated �61 national prep OW in �62 finals � 5x Mid South champ � 80-1 career record � At Oklahoma State was 1966 NCAA champ � 3x All-American (2-2-1) � 3x NCAA finalist � 2x Big 8 champ � career record: 54-5-2 � 3x National AAU champ � 1x OW � World Silver medal � Tblisi Bronze medal � high school coach at Sapulpa High School in Oklahoma ... member of the Oklahoma chapter of the national wrestling hall of fame.

 

2. JORDAN LEEN � Baylor � 4x state champ ; 2001-04 � �04 OW � 214 career wins � national high school champ � 4x McCallie Invite champ � At Cornell, 2008 NCAA champion � 3x All-American (8-1-3) � 2x EIWA champ � 2008 EIWA Wrestler of the Year � career record, 118-29.

 

3. PHILIP SIMPSON ... MBA � 4x state champ (1998-01) � 2x OW � 176 career wins � national high school runner-up � 4x champ, McCallie Invite � At West Point, 3x All-American; 2003-04-05 � 2005 NCAA runner-up � West Point�s only 3x All-American � 3x EIWA champ �134 career wins � currently in the U.S. Army

 

4. MATT KELLER � Bradley Central � 4x state champ (1999-02) � �99 OW � 3rd at high school senior nationals � NCAA All-American at Nebraska and UTC � 2x SoCon champ � currently in training for national freestyle tournaments � lives in Cleveland.

 

5. RANDY BATTEN � Hixson � 2x state champ; 1973-74 � �74 OW � placed 3rd in 1972 � high school record: 107-2 ... won final 87 matches � medaled in three national AAU tournaments � reached final four twice and placed second in the third � At UTC, 3x NCAA D-II national champ (�75-77) � �75 OW � �75 SoCon champ � lives in Birmingham.

 

6. DAVID VANCE � McCallie � 3x state champ; 1988-91 � �90 OW � four-time state finalist (2-1-1-1) � 3x McCallie Invite champ ... 135-2 record � 103 wins in a row � wrestled one year at Oklahoma ... lives in Chattanooga.

 

7. MARKESE NELSON � Kirby � 2x state champ; 1994-95 � lost one match his last three years � 3x champ at McCallie (OW) and Father Ryan tourneys � 4th at high school senior nationals � Cadet All-American at Fargo � 2x JUCO All-American at Fresno City College � wrestled at Fresno State � UniversityNationals All-American � Armed Forces national champ

 

8. ADRIAN NORFLEET � Whites Creek � 3x state champ; 1986-88 � lives in Texas

 

9. SCOTT WELLS � Brentwood Academy � 2x state champ; 1998-99 � �98 OW � 4x cadet national champion at Fargo; 2x in Greco/Roman and 2x in Freestyle � undefeated two seasons in Tenn.

 

10. CHARLES McTORRY � Overton �Tenn. record for wins (216) � 2x state champ; 1994, 1996 � 2x OW � 3x finalist (1-2-1) � high school national champion � wrestled at Nebraska � head coach at Ensworth.

 

11-20

 

11. NICK MARABLE � Christian Brothers � 2x state champ; 2004-05 � 4x medalist (3-2-1-1) � Cadet national champion at Fargo � at Missouri, 2x All-American � placed 3rd (2008) and 7th (2009) � 2x Big 12 champ � currently ranked No. 6 at 165.

 

12. KEVIN WARD � Soddy Daisy/Red Bank � 3x state champ; 1999-00-01 ... 4x finalist (2-1-1-1) � 4th at high school nationals � Big 8 champ at 157 on 2005 undefeated NCAA champions at Oklahoma State � Big 8 runner-up in 2004 � 4-2 at NCAAs.

 

13. JOHNNY LENNON � Cleveland � 2x state champ; 1980-81 � �81 OW � 102-2 in high school .. 78 in a row to close out career � Southeastern Junior National Freestyle Champion, summer of 1980 � beat two state champs on the way to the title � wrestled at Tenn.

 

14. HEATH ESLINGER � Bradley Central � 2x state champ; 1994-95 � �95 OW � at UTC, Southern Conference OW � 3x SoCon champ � 3x NCAA Qualifier � 120-18 � UTC head coach.

 

15. J.T. HAGEN � McCallie � 3x state champ; 1998-99-00 � OW at Bethlehem (Pa.) tournament � as a senior, beat defending state champs Eric Collins, Claytor Thompson and Charlie Ritchie � wrestled at Cornell.

 

16. RANDY FAIRES � Red Bank � 2x state champ; 1965-66 � at Chattanooga, 3x Southern champion � was 100-1 in high school and college � also wrestled at Oklahoma State.

 

17. PAUL TESSMANN � McCallie � Tennessee�s first 2x state champ; 1961-62 � 3rd at prep nationals in �62 � �62 Mid South and City Prep champ � At Sewanee, 4x Southern champ � at the time was the second wrestler to win 4x � never taken down in college � only losses were at small college nationals.

 

18. RUSTY BLACKMON � Bradley Central � 2x state champ, 2000-01 � �01 OW �4x medalist (4-2-1-1) � 4th at high school nationals � wrestled at Oklahoma State.

 

19. CODY CLEVELAND � Tullahoma/McCallie � 2x state champ; 2004-05 � 4x state medalist � at UTC, 2008 NCAA All-American � 2x SoCon champ.

 

20. KYLE JAMES � Soddy Daisy � 3x state champ; 2002-03-04 � beat two-time defending champ Shawn Cordell (Red Bank/Bradley Central) in 2003 finals � 3rd at junior nationals as a Freestyle All-American at Fargo, N.D.

 

21-30

 

21. MARC LYLE � Baylor � 3x state champ; 1978-79-80 � 2x OW; �79-80 � 85-3.

 

22. HOWARD LANGFORD � Cleveland � �86 state champ and OW � At UTC, 1992 NCAA D-I All-American � 2x SoCon champ, 1989, 92

 

23. JOHNNY BRADFORD � Chattanooga Central � 2x state champ; 1976-77 � high school All-American � at UT, �82 SEC champ � 1x NCAA qualifier.

 

24. KENNY WHITWORTH � East Ridge � 3x state champ; 1965-67 � OW in �65 and �66 at 98 lbs. � state�s first 2x OW � 51-2.

 

25. MARTIN FRANCIS � Notre Dame � first 4x state champ; 1969-72 � beat defending national prep champ Brian Card in �72 finals � beat defending state champ Danny Brown in �70 finals.

 

26. RAYMOND DUNNING � Father Ryan � 3x state champ � 4x finalist (2-1-1-1) � 4x McCallie champ � NCAA D-II All-American at Adams State.

 

27. PAT MURPHY � Hixson � 2x state champ � 3x finalist � High School All-American ... 64-3-4 � at UTC, 4x SoCon champ �. 4x NCAA qualifier � 2x SEIWA champ.

 

28. KEVIN JOHNSON � Chattanooga Central � 3x state champ; 1990-91-92

 

29. BUBBA MILLER � Brentwood Academy � 2x state champ; 1990-91

 

30. JAKE YOST � Soddy Daisy � 2x state champ; 2001-02 � OW in �02 � 4x medalist (5-5-1-1) � 4th at high school nationals � Greco-Roman All-American at Fargo � At UTC, SoCon champ � NCAA qualifier

 

31-40

 

31. CARLOS THOMPSON � Cleveland � 2x state champ, 1993, �95 � 3x finalist (1-2-1)

 

32. PEZ WHATLEY � Notre Dame � 2x state champ; 1967, �69 � 3x finalist (1-2-1) � first heavyweight to win OW � wrestled at UTC and in the pros.

 

33. RICKY JOHNSON � Chattanooga Central � 2x state champ; 1989, 91 � �91 OW

 

34. JAKE YOUNG � Ooltewah � 2x state champ; 2007, 09 � 3x medalist (3-1-1) �wrestles for UTC

 

35. DARREN McKNIGHT � Red Bank � 3x state champ;1999-00-01 � wrestled at Michigan State � co-captain � Big 10 medalist � 3x NCAA Qualifier.

 

36. PATRICK SIMPSON � MBA � 3x state champ; 2000-02 � 2x OW ... four-time state finalist (2-1-1-1) � 3x winner at McCallie and Father Ryan tourney � At West Point, was 2x EIWA medalist � 2x NCAA qualifier.

 

37. CHRIS MEADOWS � Red Bank � 3x state champ; 1965-66-67

 

38. MOE TRAIL � Baylor � in �62, he won state, Mid South, city prep and national prep � also won Mid South and city prep in �61 � At Purdue, was 2nd in Big 10 as a junior.

 

39. JACK BAKER � Red Bank � state�s first 3x state champ; 1963-64-65 � 2x Southern champ at Sewanee � NCAA PostGraduate Scholar

 

40. GEORGE LEWIS � McCallie � 3x state champ; 1991-93 � �92 OW � wrestled at West Virginia

 

41-50

 

41. WHIT DUNNING � Father Ryan � 3x state champ; 2003-04-05 � 4x medalist (6-1-1-1) � wrestled for West Point

 

42. MATT McCARTY � Clarksville � 2x state champ; 1999-00 � �00 OW � 4x state medalist (6-4-1-1) � 4th at high school nationals � wrestled at Michigan State.

 

43. WAYLON LOWE � Jefferson County ... 1x state champ; �98 � �97 runner-up � 3x medalist (4-1-2) � NAIA national champion ... 2x NCAA D-II national champion

 

44. JEFF HOWARD � Cleveland � 1976 state champ and OW ... 3x finalist � (2-1-2)

 

45. CHARLEY MOORE � Baylor � in �62, undefeated in winning state, Mid South, city prep and national prep � also won Mid South and city prep in �61 and second at national preps �

 

46. SHAZZON BRADLEY � McMinn County � 2x state champ; 1987-88 �

 

47. DAVID KENT � McCallie � 2x state champ; 1975-76 � 4x finalist (2-2-1-1) � 79-8 career ... five losses were to Randy Batten � high school All-American

 

48. RONNIE STEVENSON � MacGavock � 2x state champ; 1988-89 � �89 OW

 

49. JOHN FARR � Red Bank � 3x state champ; 1963-65 � 2x city prep champ � two losses in three years � at Chattanooga, 2x Southern Champion

 

50. QUINN GIBSON � Bradley Central � 3x state champ; 2002-03-04 � 2x OW; 2003-04

 

Another 37 To Consider ...

 

** Hill won one title in Tenn., but a combined 4x�er in two states �

** KENNY HILL � LFO/East Ridge 4x state champ � 3x in Ga. � wrestled at Kentucky � 1x champ in Tenn. � head coach at Heritage HS in Ringgold

 

BRANDON WRIGHT ... Houston ... 2x champ; 2006-07 ... 3x medalist (3-1-1) ... 4th at senior nationals ... wrestles at UTC.

 

TRAVIS CREAGAN ... Bradley Central ... 2x champ; 2005-06 ... 3x finalist ... 4x medalist (3-1-1-2) ... Bears all-time leader in wins ... medaled at junior nationals ... started as a freshman at Columbia

 

SEAN SMITH � Tyner � �92 state champ �

 

RYAN SCOTT � McCallie � 4x state champ �5x medalist (3-1-1-1-1) � 8th at high school nationals � 176 wins � wrestled at Appalachian State.

 

ERNIE ROSE ... Kirkman Tech ... 3x state champ at 189; 1965-67 ... '67 OW .. 4x medalist (4-1-1-1)

 

CHRIS MULLIN ... Notre Dame � 2x state champ and 2x OW; 1984-85 � 114-7-1 � 64wins in a row.

 

CHRIS VANDERGRIFF � Knox. Halls � 2x state champ; 1976-77 � first state champ from Knoxville � at UT, 3rd in SEC.

 

CASEY BREWSTER � Overton � 2x state champ � 3x finalist � 4x medalist (5-1-1-2) � 199 wins � NAIA All-American at Edinboro � head coach at Sacred Heart

 

STEVE AGNEW � Brainerd � 3x state champ; 1968-70 � �70 OW � beat 2x defending state champ Joe Roberts in �70 finals.

 

RANDY THOMPSON � Tenn. School For the Blind � �63 state champ and OW � current assistant coach at TSB �

 

DAVID GRAHAM � Bradley Central � 3x state champ; 2007-08-09

 

JAMES JABALEY � Notre Dame � 3x state champ, all at 105 lbs.; 1976-78

 

SHANNON SAYNE � Knox Halls � 2x state champ; 1996, �98 � 3x finalist (1-2-1)

 

DANNY COLEMAN � Cleveland � 2x champ; 2003, 05 � 4x finalist (2-1-2-1)

 

SHANE FORD � Germantown � 1x champ; 1997 � 6th in �96

 

MICHAEL MURRAY � Whites Creek � �87 state champ and OW

 

JUSTIN SPAIN � Bradley Central � 1x state champ; 2007 � 3x medalist (2-2-1) � wrestles for Princeton

 

DEE PARKER ... Red Bank � �96 state champ � 2x state medalist �

 

LANCE SCHAEFFER � Chattanooga City � �61 state champ and city prep champ � �60 city prep champ � wrestled at Virginia.

 

PATRICK MARCHETTI � Father Ryan � 2x state champ � 4x medalist (3-3-1-1) � wrestles for West Point

 

DANIEL WADDELL � Baylor � 2x state champ; 2006-07 � 4x finalist (2-2-1-1) � 8th at senior nationals � wrestles at UTC

 

KELLY FELIX � Franklin � 3x state champ; 2005-07 � 2x OW �4x finalist (2-1-1-1) � wrestles at UTC

 

DANNY COLEMAN � Cleveland � 2x state champ; 2003, 05 � �05 OW � 4x finalist (2-1-2-1)

 

ZAC DAILEY � Mt. Juliet � 2x state champ � �98 OW � 3x finalist (2-1-1) � beat defending state champ Eric Collins in �98 finals.

 

JIM ELDRIDGE � Chattanooga City � �61 state and city prep champ � �60 city prep champ � wrestled at Univ. of Chattanooga

 

DAVID LEVITT � McCallie � 2x state champ; 1992, �94 � 3x finalist (1-2-1) � NCAA qualifier at Boise State

 

DANIEL CROSBY � Greeneville � 2x state champ; 2002-03 � 3x medalist (3-1-1) � 3x McCallie champ � 193 wins

 

SHAWN CORDELL � Red Bank/Bradley Central � 3x state champ � 4x finalist (1-1-2-1)

 

COREY MANSON � Baylor � 2x state champ; 2005-06 � 4x finalist (2-2-1-1) � wrestles at Cornell

 

ERIC COLLINS � Red Bank � 2x state champ; 1997, �99 � 4x finalist; (2-1-2-1)

 

MATT SWEETON � Tullahoma � 3x state champ; 1998-00-01� 4x medalist (1-4-1-1)

 

RALPH BREWER � Tenn. School for the Blind � �62 state champ � 3rd in �61 � wrestled at Auburn as a freshman � coached at TSB ... � has received the Courage Award for Tennessee from the national wrestling hall of fame.

 

TIM VOILES � Lookout Valley � 2x state champ; 1995-96 � 5x qualifier � 202 wins � wrestled at Carson-Newman

 

JOE ROBERTS � Donelson � 2x state champ; 1968-69 � �68 OW � �70 runner-up � 5x state qualifier.

 

MICHAEL SPENCER � Kirby � �93 state champ and OW � 127-11-1 .. SoCon freshman of the year at UTC.

 

JEFF LOYD ... Clarksville NW � 1x champ; 1990 � �89 finalist � 4th at senior nationals in 1991 .. 6th at

NAIA nationals � has received the Courage Award for Tennessee from the national wrestling hall of fame.

 

JIMMY HILLER � Father Ryan � 2x champ, 2003-04 � 3x finalist � 4x medalist (5-2-1-1)

 

Honorable Mention:

 

Brentwood (Sean Kim; 1999 state champ � 2x finalist)

 

Baylor (Bailey Whitaker, 4x state champ; 2005-08 � wrestles for U.S Naval Academy)

 

Brainerd (Gordon Connell, state champ, 1966 � Masters World Champion, 60+ � member of the Tenn. Chapter of the national wrestling hall of fame)

 

Brighton (Bucky Johnson, 2x state champ; 2006-07 � SoCon champ at UTC)

 

Cleveland (Bill Emendorfer, �68 state champ � 3x finalist (2-1-2) � 2nd in SEC at UT; Nathan Jones, 2x state champ; 2001, 03 � 3x finalist (1-2-1) � D-II All-American at Carson-Newman)

 

East Ridge (Lynn Goss, 2x state champ; 1966-67 � 3x finalist (2-1-1) � wrestled at UTC; Charlie Goss, �64 state champ � member of the Tenn. Chaper, national wrestling hall of fame; Roger Kendrick, 2x champ, 1983-84 ; Charlie Ritchie, 2x state champ; 1998-99)

 

Lookout Valley (Dusty Griffith, 1990 state champ)

 

Notre Dame (Yogi Anderson; '68 state champ ... 2x conference champ at Sewanee ... former coach and official ... Ken Mara ... '68 state champ ... wrestled at UTC .. longtime official . worked numerous NCAA championship finals matches ... member of state chapter of national wrestling hall of fame ... David Weeks; '73 state champ ... NCAA D-II national champ at UTC)

 

Father Ryan ( David Thoni, �83 state champ and OW � 3x finalist and 4x medalist)

 

Franklin (Rycine Ellison, 1989 state champ)

 

Glencliff (Mike Green, 2x state champ ; 1970-71)

 

Hixson (Mike Blosser, �82 state champ and OW � 26-0-1 in �82 and pinned nine of 10 opponents in district, region and state; Tom Popp, �76 state champ and OW)

 

Hunters Lane (Mike Newman, 1988 state champ)

 

Knox Catholic ( Junior Hernandez, �95 state champ)

 

McCallie (Spencer Manley, 2x champ; 2003, 04 � 4x medalist (3-1-1-2) � wrestled for U.S. Naval Prep Academy and U.S. Naval Academy; John McCall, school's first state champ in '61 ... Mid South champ ... national prep runner-up in '61; Jon Bennett, '72 state champ and OW, Jason Finnell, 3x champ; 1999-00-01)

 

Morristown West (Allen Koors, 2x state champ; 1979-80)

 

North Stratford (Tony Kennedy, �77 state champ and OW)

 

Overton (Eric Jordan, 2x state champ; 1996-97 � Derrick Jordan, �97 state champ � �96 runner-up)

 

Red Bank (George Farr, �61 state and city prep champ � 2x Sourthern champ at Univ. of Chattanooga; Jim Beatty, 2x state champ; 1963, �65; Kevin Jones, �96 state champ )

 

Tenn. School for the Blind (Mitchell Cole, �61 state champ & OW; Mickey Bailey � 2x champ; 63-64 � �64 OW; Jody Chamberlain, 2x state champ; 1963-65 � youngest state champ as a 6th grader in �63; Chester Lewis, �62 state champ)

-------------------------------

Mid South Conference � The prep school conference held wrestling tournaments from 1949-1970, usually the third weekend in February � A strong conference in wrestling and other sports, Baylor won 14 of the 22 wrestling titles, followed by McCallie (7) and Castle Heights (1).

 

The Mid South schools were allowed to compete in the state tournament in 1961 and 1962 and again after the conference closed its doors in the spring of 1970.

 

The main schools competing in a variety of sports were Baylor, Castle Heights Military Academy, Columbia Military Academy, Darlington, McCallie, Sewanee Military Academy, St. Andrew�s, Tennessee Military Academy.

 

Notre Dame also competed in wrestling he first couple of years

 

Baylor produced 11 national prep champions; Charley Moore (1962), Moe Trail (1962), Chip Healy (1964, �65), Lane Headrick (1965), Alex Roberts (1967), John Hannah (1967), Rob Healy (1968, �69), Randy Weinberg (1969) and Albert Wilson (1970).

 

McCallie national champions were Pat Smartt (1959), Lou Hudson (1966), Jim Glasser (1966, 1967), Luther Killian (1968), Steve Gross (1969), Brian Card (1971).

 

Several of the national champions had success in college wrestling, plus college football and the NFL (Chip Healy) ... McCallie�s Hudson won a Big 10 title in 1969 and was second at the Midlands ... The most decorated prep wrestler in Tennessee history is Bill Harlow of St. Andrew�s (1958-1962) who won an 1966 NCAA D-I title, three national AAU titles and a World silver medal.

 

Contact B.B. Branton at <!-- e -->william.branton@comcast.net<!-- e -->

 

 

Nic Bundy from Hendersonville.

2x state champion 3X state medalist and currently wrestling at west point