Inspiring for coaches and wrestlers...

[Coffetalk]

Sean Kennedy and Sammy Evans are also ranked as individuals.

[Sommers]

 

Rank Year Name School State Last

1 Sr. Nick Piccininni Ward Melville NY 1

2 Jr. Luke Pletcher GR Latrobe PA 3

3 Sr. Chaz Tucker Blair NJ 10*

4 Sr. Kaid Brock Stillwater OK 2

5 Sr. Elijah Oliver Washington IL 4

6 Jr. Mickey Phillippi Derry PA 6

7 Jr. Carter Happel Lisbon IA 7

8 So. Nick Lee Evansville IN 8

9 Jr. Chad Red New Palestine IN 9

10 Sr. Davion Jeffries Broken Arrow OK 10

11 Sr. Markus Simmons Broken Arrow OK 11

12 Jr. Mitchell McKee STMA MN 13

13 Jr. Israel Saavedra Modesto CA 12

14 Sr. Rico Montoya Robertson NM 14

15 Sr. Lincoln Olson Davison MI 13

16 Jr. Taylor Lamont Maple Mtn UT 15

17 Jr. Hunter Marko Amery WI 15*

18 Sr. Mike D’Angelo Commack NY 16

19 Sr. Craig De la Cruz Bound Brook NJ 17

20 Sr. Austin Assad Brecksville OH 19

[Sommers]

Wilson Central wrestling coach John Kramer recently learned his Wildcats finished last season ranked 12th in the Southeast Region by Wrestling USA magazine.

 

The Wildcats, who produced two individual state champions last winter, finished second in the state duals for the second straight season to Cleveland, which is ranked fifth by the magazine and Wrestling Coaches Association.

 

The Southeast Region includes Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

 

For more, visit wrestlingusa.com.

[Sommers]

http://www.flowrestling.org/video/748396-DTs-Humble-Start#.U71s9nMo7qA

 

You never know what those feel good banquet awards can do for a young wrestler with a mind and heart to accept and build on it.

[Sommers]

DNJ All-Area Wrestling Team: Blaze boast best season... 6 from Blackman High on first team

 

Jun. 28, 2014

 

Blackman's Austin Wells, back, wrestles Oakland's Jeff Benson in the 285-pound final of the Region 5-AAA tournament. Wells won the match 3-1. TOM KREAGER/DNJ

 

Blackman's Austin Wells, back, wrestles Oakland's Jeff Benson in the 285-pound final of the Region 5-AAA tournament. Wells won the match 3-1. TOM KREAGER/DNJ

 

Written by

Tom Kreager

The Daily News Journal

 

ADVERTISEMENT

MURFREESBORO — Blackman High, which sent a county-best seven wrestlers to the TSSAA state tournament and had four place, lead The Daily News Journal’s 2014 All-Area Wrestling Team announced today.

 

The Blaze placed six on the all-area team, led by senior Austin Wells, who finished state runner-up at 285 pounds.

 

Teammate Tyler Garrison, who went undefeated before being ruled ineligible due to a potential cold sore, also is on the first team at 152 pounds. Senior Tyler Sells, who missed the bulk of the season with a knee injury, is at 160 pounds after finishing Region 5-AAA runner-up and then fourth in the state.

 

Teammates Josh Feuerbacher (138 pounds) was fourth in the state along with teammate Ayinde Bakari (132 pounds). Both also were Region 5-AAA champions. Matthew Sells, a freshman, was the Region 5-AAA champion at 145 pounds.

 

Riverdale junior Sean Kennedy, who was The DNJ’s wrestler of the year, became Rutherford County’s second state champion in as many years when he completed an undefeated season at 170 pounds. Riverdale freshman Nick Boykin (285) finished third in the state to join Kennedy from Riverdale.

 

First-year school Stewarts Creek placed two on the team in Kaleb Gonyea (126) Special Note: graduated with honors delivering convocation address at SCHS commencement ceremonies; and Gabe Rogers (106). Eagleville had two make the team in Ellis Dodson (113) and Hayden Hammonds (120 pounds). Both Dodson and Hammonds finished fourth in the Class A/AA state meet.

 

Oakland’s Jeff Benson (285) finished fifth in the state. Teammate Justin Garrett was the Region 5-AAA runner-up at 120 pounds. Siegel placed two on the team in Stephen Thomas (132) and Ryan Mitchie (182). Smyrna’s Keydexon Brown (195) and La Vergne’s Evan Walker (220) round out the team.

 

Blackman coach Ronnie Bray was named The Daily News Journal’s 2014 Wrestling Coach of the Year.

 

Gabe Rogers

 

Stewarts Creek, Fr.

 

Record: 24-5

 

Weight class: 106 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA runner-up won two matches in the Class AAA state tournament.

 

Ellis Dodson

 

Eagleville, Sr.

 

Record: 38-8

 

Weight class: 113 pounds

 

Why chosen: Dodson finished fourth in the Class A/AA state tournament for the Eagles.

 

Hayden Hammonds

 

Eagleville, Jr.

 

Record: 34-13

 

Weight class: 120 pounds

 

Why chosen: Hammonds placed fourth in the Class A/AA state tournament for the Eagles.

 

Kaleb Gonyea

 

Stewarts Creek, Sr.

 

Record: 25-6

 

Weight class: 126 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA runner-up won two matches at the Class AAA state tournament.

 

Ayinde Bakari

 

Blackman, Sr.

 

Record: 30-6

 

Weight class: 132 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA champion finished fourth in the Class AAA state tournament for the Blaze.

 

Josh Feuerbacher

 

Blackman, Jr.

 

Record: 28-8

 

Weight class: 138 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA champion finished fourth in the Class AAA state tournament.

 

Matthew Sells

 

Blackman, Fr.

 

Record: 34-11

 

Weight class: 145 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA champion won two matches in the Class AAA state tournament.

 

Tyler Garrison

 

Blackman, Jr.

 

Record: 38-0

 

Weight class: 152 pounds

 

Why chosen: Garrison was the Region 5-AAA champion. He was unable to compete at state after being disqualified for a potential cold sore.

 

Tyler Sells

 

Blackman, Sr.

 

Record: 7-3

 

Weight class: 160 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA runner-up finished fourth in the state despite wrestling with a torn ACL.

 

Sean Kennedy

 

Riverdale, Jr.

 

Record: 40-0

 

Weight class: 170

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA champion won the Class AAA state tournament to complete an undefeated season.

 

Ryan Mitchie

 

Siegel, Jr.

 

Record: 17-9

 

Weight class: 182 pounds

 

Why chosen: Mitchie qualified for the Class AAA state tournament after finishing fourth in the Region 5-AAA tournament.

 

Keydexon Brown

 

Smyrna, Sr.

 

Record: 26-5

 

Weight class: 195 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA runner-up won three matches in the Class AAA state tournament.

 

Evan Walker

 

La Vergne Jr.

 

Record: N/A

 

Weight class: 220 pounds

 

Why chosen: Walker finished as the Region 5-AAA runner-up for the Wolverines.

 

Austin Wells

 

Blackman, Sr.

 

Record: 43-5

 

Weight class: 285 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA runner-up was the Class AAA state runner-up.

 

WILD CARDS

 

Jeff Benson

 

Oakland, Sr.

 

Record: 32-4

 

Weight class: 285 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA runner-up placed fifth in the Class AAA state tournament.

 

Nick Boykin

 

Riverdale, Fr.

 

Record: 34-4

 

Weight class: 285 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA third-place finisher placed third in the Class AAA state tournament.

 

Justin Garrett

 

Oakland, Jr.

 

Record: 38-10

 

Weight class: 120

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA runner-up was one win from the medal round in the Class AAA state tournament.

 

Stephen Thomas

 

Siegel, Sr.

 

Record: 14-3

 

Weight class: 132 pounds

 

Why chosen: The Region 5-AAA runner-up won three matches in the Class AAA state tournament.

 

HONORABLE MENTION

 

Blackman: Michael Brobeck, Jevon Brown

 

Eagleville: Casey Dodson, Andrew Solomon

 

Oakland: Easton Nguyen, Blake Barrett, Tyler Hill

 

Siegel: Nick Grant, Dustin Holmes

 

Stewarts Creek: Dylan Coggins, John Olivieri

 

COACH OF THE YEAR

 

RONNIE BRAY

 

Blackman High

 

Why chosen: Bray led the Blaze to a Region 5-AAA championship to return to the TSSAA Class AAA state duals. He also led Rutherford County with eight state qualifiers despite losing several starters to Stewarts Creek a year ago. Five of the Blaze’s eight wrestlers were region champions and four placed at state.

 

 

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Sommers

[Sommers]

This could be Tennessee's very Best  UFC Performance of All Time - and by a Franklin HS State Champion over #14 Scoggins...

 

http://mmavstemp.blogspot.com/2014/07/dustin-ortiz-vs-justin-scoggins.html

 

He is now ranked at least #12 now!!!!

 

Congrats to this fine family and all the years of sacrifice to finally get here. 

[Sommers]

best P4P wrestler in the country! Hall or Lee?

 

http://www.flowrestling.org/article/27305-Cadet-Worlds-Results#.U8wDfoBdXbc

[Sommers]

Seven of the Top 20 resides in the SE...

Flo's Nat'l rankings for 182 lb.

 

1 Sr. Myles Martin McDonogh MD 1

2 Sr. Dylan Wisman Millbrook VA 3

3 Sr. Justan Rivera Kennesaw Mtn. GA 4*

4 Jr. Chris Dietrich Greene NY 4

5 Jr. Blake Rypel Cathedral IN 5

6 Sr. Kellan Stout Mt. Lebanon PA 7

7 Jr. Kegan Moore Jackson CC MN 7*

8 So. Quinn Miller Archer GA 8

9 Sr. Jacob Armstrong Salem Hills UT 13

10 Sr. Cash Wilcke OABC IA 6

11 Sr. Ty Wildmo St. Johns MI HM*

12 Sr. Jordan Dieringer Stillwater OK 10

13 So. Chase Singletary Palmetto FL 11

14 Sr. Dylan Reynolds Saegartown PA 12

15 Sr. Dontae McGee Brandon FL 9

16 Jr. Christian Brunner Dundee IL 14

17 Sr. Alex Benoit Marist IL 15

18 Sr. Cole DePasquale Robinson VA 16

19 Jr. Dakota Geer Franklin PA 18

20 Sr. Sean Kennedy Riverdale TN 19

Edited July 29, 2014 by Sommers

[Sommers]

The following are returning state medalists by divisions...

 

Division I Class A-AA

106 Results & 113 Results

1st - Gavin Hutchens (Pigeon Forge, 9) Fall 1:07 1st - Luke Mullin (Notre Dame, 10) Fall 3:06

2nd - Trent Comeaux (Red Bank, 10)

3rd - Robert Owens (East Ridge, 11) Fall 3:49 3rd - Cedrick Harris (Hixson, 9) Dec. 7-6

4th - Ned Warwick (Notre Dame, 9)

5th - Spencer Groves (Hixson, 9) Dec. 4-2 5th - Austin Giley (West Greene, 11) MD 17-8

6th - Seth Malone (Elizabethton, 11) 6th - Jacob Ruiter (Pigeon Forge, 10)

120 Results & 126 Results

1st - Nathaniel Murphy (Alcoa, 11) Fall 1:19

2nd - Trent Walliser (Lookout Valley, 10)

3rd - Matthew Kieta (Pigeon Forge, 10) Dec. 4-0 3rd - Ryan Verhulst (Alcoa, 10) Dec. 1-0

4th - Hayden Hammonds (Eagleville, 11) 4th - Isaac Yates (Hixson, 10)

5th - Eric Foster (Stratford, 10) Dec. 4-2 (OT)

132 Results & 138 Results

1st - Packy Mullin (Notre Dame, 11) Dec. 8-1 1st - Gabe McDuffie (Red Bank, 10) Fall 5:06

2nd - Josh Vance (Greeneville, 10) 2nd - Austyn Renshaw (Alcoa, 10) 3rd - Tyler Christian (Harpeth, 11) Dec. 4-3

4th - Bryson Lemons (Chatt. Central, 11) Fall 3:50 5th - Gary Reagan (Pigeon Forge, 10) Forfeit

6th - Spencer Griffy (East Ridge, 11)

145 Results & 152 Results

1st - Noah Bankston (Notre Dame, 10) Dec. 4-3 1st - Karim Shereef (Alcoa, 10) Fall 3:15 2nd - Xavier Norwood (Chatt. Central, 11)

3rd - Alonso Heyward (Chatt. Central, 9) Dec. 5-2 3rd - Landon Goforth (Hixson, 10) Dec. 6-0

5th - George Hooker (Alcoa, 9) Dec. 3-2 5th - Philip Nichols (Chr. Aca. of Knox., 10) Dec. 5-1

6th - Andrew Birchett (Page, 10)

160 Results & 170 Results

1st - Michael Long (Chr. Aca. of Knox., 11) Dec. 9-2 1st - DeAngelo Johnson (East Ridge, 11) Dec. 12-8

2nd - Devin Crawl (Red Bank, 10)

Fall 1:59 3rd - James Hughes (Stratford, 10) Dec. 6-3

4th - Xavier Bohanan (Pigeon Forge, 10) 4th - Chris Nicholson (Hixson, 11)

6th - Joe Kamp (Fairview, 11)

182 Results & 195 Results

1st - Cale Shelton (Signal Mountain, 11) Fall 2:42

2nd - Dylan Bargerstock (Hixson, 10)

3rd - McKenzie Martin (Hixson, 11) Dec. 9-4

4th - Nathan Breeden (Pigeon Forge, 11) Fall 2:23 5th - Josh Ortiz-Derrick (Fairview, 9) Dec. 3-2

220 Results & 285 Results

1st - Samson Evans (Alcoa, 9) Fall 3:57 2nd - Joseph Cartwright (East Nashville, 11)

3rd - Brody Gregory (Hixson, 9) Dec. 4-3 (3OT)

4th - Nicholas Hilley (Pigeon Forge, 11)

5th - Bryson Knight (Greeneville, 10) Fall 4:27 5th - Luis Soto (Knoxville Catholic, 11) Fall 3:47

6th - Richie Lowery (South Greene, 10) 6th - Seth Fiegler (Alcoa, 10)

 

School's outcomes...

 

TEAM SCORES

Place School Points Place School Points

1st - Hixson 163.5 11th - Sullivan East 46

2nd - Alcoa 155 12th - Eagleville 37

3rd - Pigeon Forge 134.5 13th - Forrest 36

4th - Notre Dame 95.5 13th - Stratford 36

5th - East Ridge 85.5 15th - Knoxville Grace 34.5

6th - Chattanooga Central 77 16th - White House 32

7th - Red Bank 72 17th - Christian Academy of Knoxville 31

7th - Signal Mountain 72 18th - Harpeth 25

9th - Greeneville 69 19th - Brainerd 21

10th - East Nashville 62 19th - Sycamore 21

 

 

106 & 113

1st - Dillan Friesner (Independence, 10) Dec. 5-0 OT 1st - Toribio Navarro (Bradley Central, 11) Dec. 6-2

2nd - Ryan McElhaney (Bradley Central, 9) 2nd - Nick Crawford (Heritage, 11)

3rd - Tanner Justice (Knoxville Halls) Fall 2:04 3rd - Evan Huling (Knoxville Halls, 11) Dec. 8-5

4th - Briar Potter (East Hamilton, 10) 4th - Jack Shrader (Franklin, 9)

5th - Tristian Blansit (Cleveland, 10) MD 10-0

 

120 Results & 126 Results (

1st - Knox Fuller (Bradley Central, 9) Fall 2:47 1st - Chris DeBien (Cleveland, 11) Fall 1:12

2nd - Murphy Elkins (Cookeville, 10) 2nd - Lane Dickeson (Wilson Central, 11)

4th - Jacob McClure (Soddy-Daisy, 11) 4th - Corbin Hurley (Tennessee, 10)

5th - Kue Htoo (Nashville Overton, 11) Inj. Def.

6th - Devan Cyree (Tullahoma, 11) 6th - Zackrey Wilkins (Mt. Juliet, 9)

132 Results & 138 Results

1st - Tucker Russo (Soddy-Daisy, 10) TB-1 4-2

2nd - Ezra Taylor (Cleveland, 10)

3rd - Chris Rowland (Ravenwood, 10) Dec. 5-0 3rd - Delrico Bowen (Northeast, 11) Dec. 7-5

4th - Josh Feuerbacher (Blackman, 11)

5th - Michael Diemer (Heritage, 10) Dec. 5-1 5th - David Garabrandt (Bearden, 11) Dec. 10-4

6th - Elan McCasland (Beech, 11)

145 Results & 152 Results

1st - Luke Hamilton (Brentwood, 11) Fall 3:57 3rd - Mike Binns (Wilson Central, 11) Dec. 5-3 (OT)

4th - Aaron Oliver (Cleveland, 11)

5th - John Williamson (Soddy-Daisy, 11) Dec. 8-4

6th - Danyon Edens (Mt. Juliet, 10)

160 Results & 170 Results

1st - Sean Kennedy (Riverdale, 11) Dec. 4-3

3rd - Austin Hammons (Cookeville, 10) Dec. 1-0 4th - Kaleb Rippy (Beech, 10)

5th - Joseph Begley (Dobyns-Bennett, 11) Dec. 8-1

182 Results & 195 Results

1st - Chad Solomon (Maryville, 11) Dec. 5-2 2nd - Kiel Russell (Clarksville, 11)

4th - Hunter Bagley (Science Hill, 10)

5th - Trent Cumby (Cookeville, 11) Inj. Def.

6th - Brett Brown (Bradley Central, 10) 6th - Clay Strawn (Maryville, 11)

220 Results & 285 Results

1st - John Kramer (Wilson Central, 11) Dec. 5-4

3rd - Josh Filbey (Franklin, 11) Fall 2:35 3rd - Nick Boykin (Riverdale, 9) Fall 2:26

4th - John Gaither (Cleveland, 11)

5th - Koran Kennedy (Cleveland, 11) Fall 3:47

6th - Bryce Bush (Antioch, 10) 6th - Zack Miller (Walker Valley, 11)

 

TEAM SCORES

 

1st - Cleveland 215 11th - Walker Valley 84

2nd - Wilson Central 166.5 12th - Knoxville Halls 78

3rd - Bradley Central 141 13th - Brentwood 76

4th - Ravenwood 132 14th - Riverdale 58

5th - Soddy-Daisy 120.5 15th - Maryville 57.5

6th - Franklin 108.5 16th - Beech 55.5

7th - Heritage 102 17th - Dobyns-Bennett 50.5

8th - Clarksville 98.5 18th - Centennial 49

9th - Cookeville 96.5 18th - Tennessee 49

10th - Blackman 84.5 20th - Collierville, Science Hill 42

 

 

106 Results & 113 Results

1st - Eli King (Father Ryan, 9) Dec. 7-0 1st - Michael Murphy (Baylor, 10) Dec. 5-2

2nd - Gabriel Elkin (Montgomery Bell Aca., 9) 2nd - Justin Becci (Brentwood Aca., 11)

3rd - Jack Reynolds (Baylor, 10) Dec. 7-5 3rd - Trey Chalifoux (Father Ryan, 10) Dec. 1-0

4th - Stanton Davis (McCallie, 9) 4th - Tanner Tidswell (Christian Brothers, 10)

5th - Trace Jenkins (St. Benedict, 9) Dec. 9-2 5th - Michael Elkin (Montgomery Bell Aca., 9) Fall 1:50

6th - Hunter Anderson (Brentwood Aca., 9) 6th - Sam D’Andrea (St. Benedict, 11)

120 Results & 126 Results

1st - James Westbrooks (McCallie, 11) Dec. 8-3

2nd - Ethan Dendy (McCallie, 9) 2nd - Kirby Simpson (Father Ryan, 10)

3rd - Jared Frazier (Father Ryan, 11) Dec. 8-1 3rd - Ronson Marsh (St. Benedict, 11) Dec. 3-1

4th - John Michael Glover (Montgomery Bell Aca., 9) 4th - Sam Bellet (Montgomery Bell Aca., 11)

5th - Christian Dilucchio (Brentwood Aca., 11) Dec. 10-3 5th - Trevor Brown (Christian Brothers, 9) MD 12-0

6th - Morgan Green (St. Benedict, 11) 6th - Jonah Neuman (Battle Ground Aca., 11)

132 Results & 138 Results 

1st - Chris Wesnofske (Father Ryan, 11) Dec. 6-3

2nd - Brock Herring (McCallie, 9)

3rd - Blake Solarek (Montgomery Bell Aca., 11) MD 9-1

4th - Braxton Kinney (Battle Ground Aca., 11) 4th - Drake Mitchell (Franklin Road Aca., 10)

5th - Caleb Powell (Baylor, 10) Fall 1:39 5th - Connor Stewart (Memphis Univ. Sch., 11) MD 9-1

6th - Drake Conine (St. Benedict, 10) 6th - Rob Butler (Brentwood Aca., 10)

145 Results & 152 Results 

1st - Blake Sutherland (Baylor, 11) Dec. 2-0

2nd - Marcello Morrice (Father Ryan, 11)

3rd - Mark Floyd (Montgomery Bell Aca., 10) Dec. 6-3 3rd - Bailey Wittman (Christian Brothers, 12) MD 8-0

5th - Will Tansil (Franklin Road Aca., 10) Forfeit 5th - Will Patton (McCallie, 10) Inj. Def.

6th - Nathan Martin (Briarcrest, 11)

160 Results & 170 Results

2nd - Nick Naughton (Father Ryan, 11) 2nd - Cayman Seagraves (Baylor, 11)

3rd - Dallas Broughton (Christian Brothers, 11) Fall 3:50

5th - Max Mullen (Brentwood Aca., 10) Fall 3:41 5th - Nick Pope (Briarcrest, 11) Fall 3:46

6th - Ariel Bong (McCallie, 11)

182 Results & 195 Results 

1st - Ryan Parker (Baylor, 10) Dec. 6-3 1st - Trel Phillips (McCallie, 10) Dec. 5-4

2nd - Jacob Cretin (Brentwood Aca., 11)

5th - Blake Patton (Montgomery Bell Aca., 11) Fall 4:37

6th - Noah Kurtz (St. Benedict, 10)

220 Results & 285 Results (Bracket)

Place Wrestler (School, Grade) Result Place Wrestler (School, Grade) Result

1st - D’On Coofer (Montgomery Bell Aca., 10) Dec. 2-1

2nd - Jon Schmissrauter (Baylor, 11)

3rd - Ben Stacey (Father Ryan, 10) Dec. 9-3 3rd - Miles Douglas (Ensworth, 11) Dec 11-6

5th - Nestro Rivas (St. Benedict, 11) Fall 1:00

 

TEAM SCORES

Place School Points Place School Points

1st - Father Ryan 233 11th - Battle Ground Academy 16

2nd - McCallie 182.5 12th - Memphis University School 8

3rd - Baylor 171 13th - Fayette Academy 6

4th - Montgomery Bell Academy 147 14th - Pope John Paul II 0

5th - Christian Brothers 137 15th - St. Andrew’s 0

6th - St. Benedict 69 16th - St. George’s -1

7th - Brentwood Academy 60 -

8th - Briarcrest 48

9th - Franklin Road Academy 46

10th - Ensworth 28  

 

Is it amazing that Baylor's Parker is still learning wrestling and only an 11the header? I'm beginning to wonder if he couldn't neutralize Solomon now and keep our close to the end for a tie breaking TD, escape, or reversal?

 

Talk about someone being in there for a while,,, how bout Schmissrauter? This could be his year if he really is back, even with his far reaching doubles

 

Blackman could have their first tandem state champs this year! Bradley and Cleveland will definitely be battling it out more like old times! Watch out for Wilson Central,,, Not sure these wrestlers even took a break?

[Sommers]

Congrats on Hamm's Great support After feeling the brunt of Rutherford co politics and now earning... NWCA's 2014 Asst Coach of the Year Award at WC!!!!!!!

[Sommers]

There's been changes since this write up,,, who's coaching and where, and is there one we should add most recently to the top ten listed below?

Any guesses?

 

From the 50 best wrestlers from Tennessee

by JRUEZ on FEBRUARY 6, 2010

Great article on the Chattanoogan. B.B. Branton has composed a list of Tennessee’s best prep wrestlers in the past half century.

 

Here are the top 10.

 

** state champion is the first criteria to be considered for the top 50 … this coincides with next month’s 50th high school state tournament.

 

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.

Edited August 5, 2014 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Okay, of the 57 viewers I see not one guess... How bout adding Nick Marable? Also making history for Tennessee wrestling, how bout the DII coach of the year ...now going to coach a major DI school? Just a tad bit of notoriety for products of our very own DI and DII schools right here in TENNESSEE!!!

 

Way to Go Marable and Ward!