Inspiring for coaches and wrestlers...

[Sommers]

Local Tullahoma Coverage...

 

http://www.tullahomanews.com/?p=29294

 

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

 

Wildcats sending 10 to state tourney

 

Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 5:13 pm

 

The Tullahoma High School wrestling team celebrates with the Region 5-AAA Individual Trophy. –Staff Photo by Zach Birdsong

 

By ZACH BIRDSONG

 

Sports Editor

 

After a successful two days on the mat, Tullahoma qualified 10 grapplers for the state tournament and was able to hoist the team title at the Region 5-AAA Individual Tournament on Saturday.

 

As a collective unit, the Wildcats racked up 206 points at Siegel High School on Friday and Saturday to finish first out of 15 schools. Cookeville finished second in the tournament with 178 points and Blackman took third with 176.5.

 

This marks the second time in school history that Tullahoma has claimed the region title, with the first happening in 2008.

 

The 10 Wildcats who qualified for the state tournament is also the second most in school history, with the record being 12. In total, Tullahoma had 14 grapplers participate at this year’s region tournament.

 

“It’s awesome and it’s a great feeling,†said THS Head Coach Al Morris. “Unfortunately, we would have loved to take 14 guys, but it didn’t work out that way. But, we are taking 10 and that exceeded my expectations. The next step is to go to the state tournament and take care of business. If we wrestle like we did during this region tournament, we’ve got a chance to place really high there and get several guys up on the podium at the state tournament.â€

 

The TSSAA State Wrestling Championships are scheduled to open on Thursday and continue through Saturday. The brackets for each weight class in the tournament can be found online at www.tssaa.org.

 

Cleveland Cyree, Devan Cyree and Dylan Pearson went undefeated in their respective brackets on Saturday, to be named Region Champions.

 

Pearson finished first in the 182-pound division on his way to his first region title.

 

Cleveland took home the top spot in the 120-pound class. His region championship was the second for him after finishing first in the 113-pound division during last year’s tournament.

 

Devan continued to add his name to the lore of THS history with his first-place finish in the 126-pound class and is now the only wrestler in school history to be a four-time region champion. On top of that, Devan also received the honor of being named the Region 5-AAA Lower Weight Wrestler of the Year on Saturday.

 

“He’s one of the most decorated wrestlers that the school has ever had, other than [three-time state champion] Matt Sweeton,†Morris said. “You can put him up there in that category. Devan has meant a lot to this program and he’s done a lot for this program. He has helped set the bar for a lot of these guys on our team. He’s meant a lot to this team more than just winning matches.â€

 

Adam Rogers finished second in the 113-pound class, losing the first-place matchup by a 5-0 decision to Stewart’s Creek Dylan Coggins. Last year, Rogers finished as region champion in the 106-pound class.

 

Aaron Kelly, Dylan McElhaney, Tristan Scott and Mikey Lett all finished third in their respective weight classes.

 

 

⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙

Ten Tullahoma wrestlers qualified for the state individual tournament after their performances at the region tournament last weekend. As a team, the Wildcats also placed first, to win the Region 5-AAA Championship for the second time in school history. Front row, from left: Adam Rogers, Andy Shahan, Aaron Kelly and Will Moran. Back row: Dylan McElhaney, Mikey Lett, Devan Cyree, Dylan Pearson, Cleveland Cyree, Tristan Scott and Head Coach Al Morris. Devan also received the Region 5-AAA Lower Weight Wrestler of the Year award and Morris was the region’s Co-Coach of the Year.

—Staff Photo by Zach Birdsong

⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙

 

 

Kelly defeated Smyrna’s Carl Tempelton by way of a 6-3 decision in the third-place match of the 132-pound class.

 

McElhaney defeated Siegel’s Christian Salter with a second-round fall in the third-place bout in the 138-pound division.

 

Scott took third place after beating Smyrna’s Jaron Rowland in the third-place match of the 160-pound division. After trailing, Scott pinned Rowland in the second round.

 

Lett defeated Warren County’s Matthew Savage in the third-place match of the 192-pound class. Lett notched a second-round fall over Savage.

 

Will Moran and Andy Shahan both finished fourth at the region tournament after losing their third-place bouts. Moran was defeated by Cookeville’s James Harcum by a 3-1 decision in the 106-pound class. Shahan was pinned by Siegel’s Zac Duncalf in the second round of the 145-pound matchup.

 

The 10 Tullahoma state qualifiers were not the only ones to receive recognition on Saturday. Morris received the region’s Co-Coach of the Year award. Morris split the prize with Siegel’s Lee Ramsey.

 

This season, the Wildcats racked up a 25-9 record at dual meets and finished first in the District 9-AAA standings. Tullahoma also finished as runner-up at the Region 5-AAA Duals to earn a berth into the TSSAA State Dual Championships.

 

While Morris was the recipient of the award, he gave his coaching staff and grapplers all the credit.

 

“It’s an honor to win this, and usually you are winning this because you are winning matches and we are winning matches because of our kids,†Morris said. “This award goes to the kids and all the work that they have put in and same with our assistant coaches with everything that they’ve done. I’ve probably got the best group of assistant coaches that you can have in the state. I’m on the beneficial end of this. I get the recognition and all of that, but these kids and these assistant coaches are the ones putting in all of the work.â€

 

On his way to a region title, Cleveland won all three of his matches by first-round falls. After a bye, Cleveland defeated Lawrence County’s Nick Kilburn (1:13), Siegel’s Daniel Bradford (0:23) and Oakland’s Caleb Garrett (1:53).

 

Devan won his first two matches by pinfall before a technical fall victory in the first-place matchup. After a bye, Devan defeated Franklin County’s Robert Hines by way of a first-round fall (1:40). He followed that with a second-round fall over Blackman’s Isaiah Cooper (2:59). In the finals, Devan beat Stewarts Creek’s Carson Helton by a 17-2 technical fall.

 

Pearson opened competition with a 12-2 major decision victory over Lawrence County’s Samuel Robertson. Pearson followed that with a second-round fall (2:48) over Smyrna’s Derrico Burns in the quarterfinals. Pearson then won his next matchup by way of a forfeit to advance to the finals. Pearson pinned Oakland’s Garrett Richards in the third round (4:47) to claim his region championship.

 

After a first-round bye, Rogers notched a first-round pinfall win (0:32) over Riverdale’s Ethan Patterson. Rogers followed that with a 17-1 technical fall victory over Smyrna’s Kevin Rogers to advance to the finals. Rogers was upended by Coggins, who notched the 5-0 decision win.

 

Kelly received a first-round bye and then defeated Tempelton by way of a 4-1 decision in the quarterfinals. Blackman’s Michael Brobeck defeated Kelly with first-round fall (1:51) in the semifinals.

 

Kelly bounced back for back-to-back wins, defeating Coffee County’s Owen Teague in the second round (2:09) of the consolation semifinals. He then defeated Templeton again, this time with a 6-3 decision in the third-place bout.

 

McElhaney opened his tournament with a first-round fall (1:08) over Shelbyville’s Andy Solis. He followed that with a 16-0 technical fall over Oakland’s Ryder Gebhardt. In the semifinals, McElhaney was upended by Cookeville’s Bronson Satterfield, who won by way of a 10-6 decision.

 

In the consolation semifinals, McElhaney notched a second-round fall over Coffee County’s David Tate (3:53). He followed that with a second-round fall over Salter (1:54) in the third-place matchup.

 

After a bye, Scott defeated Oakland’s Scott Tilley by way of a second-round fall (3:51) in the quarterfinals. Blackman’s Tyler Garrison followed with a quick first-round pinfall victory (0:26) over Scott.

 

The Tullahoma grappler bounced back with back-to-back pinfall wins. Scott defeated Stewarts Creek’s Levi Silvers in the third round (4:26) and then went on to beat Rowland in the second round (1:39) to take third place.

 

Lett opened his tournament with a bye and then quickly notched a first-round fall (0:37) over Franklin County’s Garrett Shaw in the quarterfinals. Lett was then defeated by Blackman’s Andre Bravo by a close 4-3 decision.

 

In the consolation semifinals, Lett notched a second-round fall (2:23) over Coffee County’s Joshua Tobitt. Lett followed that with his second-round victory (2:52) over Savage.

 

Tullahoma wrestler Dylan Pearson hugs THS Head Coach Al Morris after Pearson took home the Region 5-AAA Title in the 182-pound class. –Staff Photo by Zach Birdsong

 

Moran opened his tournament with a bye and then defeated Blackman’s Cole Lukens by way of a 15-0 technical fall. Stewarts Creek’s Gabe Rogers then defeated Moran in the first round (1:38) of the semifinals matchup.

 

Moran bounced back with a second-round fall (2:36) over Shelbyville’s Jerrimery Jones to advance to the third-place matchup. Harcum was able to defeat the THS wrestlers by way of a 3-1 decision.

 

Shahan opened his tournament with a bye before losing to Smyrna’s Jordan Ligon by way of a second-round fall (2:35) in the quarterfinals. Shahan bounced back with three-straight pinfall victories to advance to the third-place matchup.

 

The THS wrestler defeated Franklin County’s Nehemiah Smith in the first round (0:56), followed by a second-round victory (3:32) over Oakland’s Glenn Scrivens and a second-round fall (2:54) over LaVergene’s Kamron Holliman. Duncalf defeated Shahan in the second round (2:18).

 

The four THS grapplers who didn’t make it to state included Chris Howse (152 pounds), Jared Bonee (170), Haden Eggleston (220) and Christian Kazmark (285).

 

Howse just missed making it to state after losing to Oakland’s Casey Dibble in the semifinals of the consolation round. Dibble was able to hold on for the 14-12 decision victory.

 

Howse opened the tournament with a first-round fall over Coffee County’s Jacob Rice. Howse was then defeated by Cookeville’s Dalton Underwood by way of a 7-2 decision. After a bye, Howse then defeated Franklin County’s Austin Bonner with a 13-10 decision before advancing to face Dibble.

 

Bonee lost both of his matchups during the region tournament, both by pinfall. Stewarts Creek’s Quinten McKinney defeated Bonnee in the first round (1:33) before he was ousted by Smyrna’s Jaxon Wallace in the second round (2:34).

 

Eggelston was defeated by Cookeville’s Darren Houston in the first round (0:47) to open the tournament. After a bye, Eggelston then beat Shelbyville’s Jason Martin with an extra-round fall (5:35). His tournament came to an end with a second-round fall (2:28) to Siegel’s Dylan Bargatze.

 

After a bye, Kazmark lost to Shelbyville’s Treavor Tribe by way of a 7-4 decision. Kazmark received a forfeit win over Blackman’s Dylan Heath before having his tournament end. Lawrence County’s James Christofidis defeated Kazmark with a third-round fall (4:24).

[Sommers]

No one saw this one coming! Watch for FREE as UNI's Jarrett Jensen upends mega-stud Ian Miller on Flo...

 

http://www.flowrestling.org/coverage/252110-Northern-Iowa-VS-KSU/video/759917-157-lbs-match-Jarrett-Jensen-UNI-vs-Ian-Miller-KSU#.VNtU44bnYm9

 

157 lbs match Jarrett Jensen UNI vs. Ian Miller KSU

 

 

 

Note: Be careful sitting on the claw at state this week as most refs will call stalling unless you are working toward a pin or changing from side to side using other riding techniques.

Edited February 11, 2015 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Clarkville Lead Chronicle Reports All Area nominations being accepted now...

 

All high school basketball and wrestling coaches can now nominate athletes from their respective sports for the upcoming Leaf-Chronicle All Area Team. Please nominate athletes from your team and those you feel are deserving from other teams. Please include statistics for your athletes in that it helps with the selection process. You can email results to sports@theleafchronicle.com. The All Area Basketball and Wrestling Teams will be published in April.

 

 

 

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/sports/2015/02/10/sports-announcements/23206511/

[Sommers]

Reminder for our young bucks getting ready for their Big Dance & op to help more with the Winter's family...

 

Jonesfest State Champ Prep Camp

 

Are you ready for state? This Saturday Higher Calling presents the last major camp before state, the Jonesfest State Champ Prep Camp at the Jones Wrestling Center 850 Raider Drive Cleveland, TN 37311. 9am to 4pm and there will be 3 different sessions and lots of live wrestling… Bring your own lunch. Register on Track wrestling. Search for Jonesfest.

 

We are asking for donation of $65 for the camp and every dollar we collect will go to the family of Daniel Winters, the TN Wrestler at Blackman High School who qualified for state last Saturday and then was tragically killed in a car accident later that night. You can pay on track, at http://www.gofundme.com/danielwinters or make a donation at the door. Any money will help.

 

http://highercallingwrestling.org/hcwc/jonesfest-state-champ-prep-camp/

[Sommers]

Three former teammates of the old Boro Sharpshooter Dynasty...

 

http://www.dnj.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/02/11/wrestling-trio-undefeated/23277167/

 

Wrestling trio seeks perfect season

 

Tom Kreager, DNJ10:58 p.m. CST February 11, 2015

 

 

 

(Photo: Steve Hardison / DNJ Correspondent)

 

 148CONNECT 18TWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE

 

The quest for perfection begins today for three Rutherford County high school wrestlers.

 

Riverdale’s Sean Kennedy and Nick Boykin along with Blackman’s Tyler Garrison enter the TSSAA State Wrestling Champsionships at the Williamson County Ag Center with undefeated records and are considered favorites to win state titles in their respective Class AAA weight classes.

 

“That would definitely be huge for us to go undefeated,†said Kennedy, a senior. “I know if we are in the right mind set we can do it.

 

“If we can do that, that would be huge for this county.â€

 

The county has never had multiple state wrestling champions in the same year. The three undefeated wrestlers are part of 38 that qualified for the state tournament.

 

Kennedy is the defending Class AAA state champion at 170 pounds. He is 43-0 this season and 83-0 over the past two seasons. Kennedy, who is being recruited by several college programs including Air Force, Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, West Point and others, has dominated the wrestling scene this season.

 

Opponents have taken Kennedy the distance only twice this season. He’s been taken down just twice.

 

“I’ve just been focused on taking the same mentality and same determination and take it into practice,†Kennedy said. “I have a mentality that I don’t want to lose. I don’t like losing, so I try to do whatever I can to win. That usually pays off.â€

 

While Kennedy wants to win his second state title, Garrison is focused on winning his first medal. The Blackman senior, a 160-pound wrestler, and UT-Chattanooga commitment went 43-0 as a junior only to be ruled ineligible during last year’s state tournament weigh-ins when a physician determined he had what looked like cold-sore activity on the corner of his lips.

 

Garrison said he will take the necessary measures this season to make sure he is not disqualified, including getting his body checked out by a physician prior to the tournament and having a note from a doctor if there is anything questionable.

 

Garrison is 83-0 over the past two seasons, but he was pushed to the distance in last week’s Region 5-AAA finals against Siegel’s Dustin Holmes.

 

“You have to be able to pull out close wins,†said Garrison, who is 50-0 this season. “You aren’t going to wrestle at your best every single match. You are going to have matches like that. You have to be able to find ways to pull out a win.â€

 

While Kennedy and Garrison are entering their final state tournament, Boykin burst onto the wrestling scene last season as a freshman. The younger brother of former Riverdale state champion Scottie Boykin, Nick Boykin placed third in the Class AAA state meet as a freshman at 285 pounds.

 

He is 38-0 this season and 72-4 during his high school career.

 

“I’ve been pushed a lot this year,†the younger Boykin said. “My wrestling partner is Sean Kennedy, who works my butt off every day. He’s so long.

 

“It would be good for the three of us to come back with state championship rings. Just being part of this is awesome.â€

 

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

 

Three-day finale

 

When: Today-Saturday.

 

Where: Williamson County Expo Center, Franklin

 

Sean Kennedy

 

Riverdale senior

 

Kennedy, the defending Class AAA state champion at 170 pounds, is 43-0 this season.

 

Nick Boykin

 

Riverdale sophomore

 

Boykin, who finished third at state last year at 285 pounds, is 38-0 this season.

 

Tyler Garrison

 

Blackman senior

 

The UT-Chattanooga commitment was disqualified at last year’s state meet. He is 43-0 this season at 160 pounds.

[Sommers]

Fine Upper East Tn Coverage. .

 

http://www.tricities.com/sports/article_67f93e9a-b273-11e4-bdec-83d9acf3c5b4.html

 

 

 

HomeSports

 

Prep WrestlingTSSAA wrestling tournament begins today

 

StoryCommentsPrintCreate a hardcopy of this pageFont Size:Default font sizeLarger font size

 

Posted: Thursday, February 12, 2015 12:01 am

 

BHC Sports Desk

 

Nine wrestlers from Tennessee High will begin their quest for a state title today at the TSSAA Class AAA individual state tournament in Franklin, Tennessee, with four Sullivan East boys joining the pursuit in the A-AA bracket Friday.

 

Also beginning competition in the first officially sanctioned girls tournament Friday will be Allison Davis from Sullivan East and Krista Martin and Kaela Eads of Tennessee High.

 

 

 

Regional champions Trent Nelson (106 pounds), Corbin Hurley (132), Dewey Pendley (138) and Bryson Henley (145) are the top contenders to bring home the first-ever state title for the Tennessee High boys. Hurley finished fourth in the 126-pound bracket as a sophomore last season.

 

The Sullivan East boys will be led by regional champions Logan Chase (126 pounds) and Hunter Arnold (152).

 

The tournament continues through late Saturday afternoon when champions will be crowned in each division.

 

© 2015 TriCities.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

More about Tssaa

 

ARTICLE: Updated TSSAA district tournament scheduleARTICLE: Sullivan East routs Johnson County in District 1-AA openerARTICLE: Harman leads Honaker to 21st win of the seasonARTICLE: THS girls down Central in District 1-AAA

 

More about Tssaa Wrestling

 

HTML: Vikings' Pendley talks about his regional winARTICLE: Pendley win highlights four-title day for THS at Region 1-AAA tourneyARTICLE: Tennessee High in state duals todayARTICLE: Vikings' wrestling win over SHHS ‘a long time coming’

 

More about Prep Wrestling

 

ARTICLE: A mat dynasty is burgeoning at Rural RetreatCOLLECTION: Rural Retreat: A wrestling powerHTML: Vikings' Pendley talks about his regional winARTICLE: Pendley win highlights four-title day for THS at Region 1-AAA tourney

[Sommers]

Wilson Co Coverage.

 

http://www.lebanondemocrat.com/article/sports/569821?topstories=

 

State tourney opens today

 

Twenty from Wilson County compete

 

STAFF REPORTS

 

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

 

FEB 12, 2015

 

Twenty wrestlers from Wilson County will hit the mats at the Williamson County Expo Center today for the State Wrestling Championships.

 

One more will make her debut Friday.

 

Wilson Central will have 10 wrestlers, Mt. Juliet seven and Lebanon three in the boys’ tournament which will begin at 3 p.m. today with round-of-32 matches, followed by the round of 16 and first- and second-round consolation bouts.

 

Lebanon sophomore Scott Sesnan drew a first-round bye at 106 pounds and will face either Brentwood’s Graham Brothers or Soddy-Daisy’s Charles Wheaton in the second. On the other side of the bracket, Wilson Central’s Caleb Berta will battle Heritage’s Vili Bussey in a battle of freshmen.

 

Blue Devil freshman Nathan Sields will face two-time state champion Toribio Navarro of Bradley Central at 113 while Wilson Central sophomore Simon Pergande will take on East Hamilton’s Briar Potter, also a past medal winner.

 

Each Wilson County school will be represented at 120 – Wilson Central’s Nick King, Lebanon’s Austin Plumlee and Mt. Juliet’s Jalen Henry.

 

Mt. Juliet’s Zack Wilkins, who finished sixth last year as a freshman, will join Central’s Caleb Berta in the 126 bracket.

 

Golden Bear sophomore Matt Helm will face Houston freshman Colin Jones at 132.

 

Central senior Lane Dickeson, who finished second at 126 last year, will try at 138 this year. Wildcat senior Mike Binns is back at 152 after finishing third at this weight last year.

 

Mt. Juliet junior Danyon Edens, who finished sixth at 152 last year, will join Central senior John Michael Jenkinson at 160.

 

Central junior Zach Linton and Mt. Juliet senior Jacob O’Brien are in opposite brackets at 170.

 

Wilson Central senior Perry Baltz will try to make a run at 182 while Mt. Juliet freshman Nathan Walling looms as a possible opponent down the bracket.

 

Three-time medalist John Kramer, who passed former teammate Austin Richard as Wilson Central’s all-time winner with 232 in winning last Saturday’s Region 7-AAA championship, will open defense of his championship at 220.

 

Mt. Juliet sophomore Brian Horner wraps up the Wilson contingent at 285.

 

The girls’ tournament will get under way at 11 a.m. Friday with Mt. Juliet freshman Meagan Pruitt facing Cumberland County sophomore Gabby Medina in the quarterfinals.

[Sommers]

Chattanooga Metro Coverage...

 

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/preps/story/2015/feb/12/early-lessons-fuel-gordlee-wrestler-ragsdale/287905/

 

Early lessons fuel Gordon Lee wrestler Ragsdale

 

February 12th, 2015by Lindsey Youngin Sports - PrepsRead Time: 4 mins.

 

Jonathan Ragsdale

 

Photo by Staff File Photo/Times Free Press.

 

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. -- It hasn't always come so easily for Jonathan Ragsdale.

 

Sure, a fourth GHSA state wrestling individual title is likely in the very near future for the Gordon Lee High School senior. It's true the 120-pounder is riding a 134-match win streak and that he's never been beaten by a Georgia wrestler, and it's a fact next year he will be a part of the national power West Virginia University team.

 

However, there once was a time ...

 

"He didn't win a single match his first year or wrestling," says father Mark Ragsdale, almost laughing at the memory nearly 10 years ago. "The second year rolls around and he starts out again not winning. At that point his mother and I had a talk and we weren't sure if this sport was for him."

 

The talk -- and a more heart-to-heart conversation with the confused lad -- led to one more shot. Johnny was entered in an upcoming tournament and his dad told him that if he wanted to continue he was going to have to work harder. Faced with a decision, Johnny elected to go all in, and soon the first signs of what was to come came forth.

 

A kid that had not won a match in the first year-plus of his career finished third in the tournament. He soon started receiving top training with the UTC Kids' Club, where Israel Silver took him under his wings. The rest, as they say, is history in the making. A win in this weekend's Class AA tournament in Macon would make Johnny one of 30 four-time state champions in the state's history.

 

"He's had to work to get where he is," Gordon Lee coach Brent Raby said. "Johnny doesn't take anybody lightly, and nobody is going to out-work him."

 

There was, though, one more lesson Ragsdale had to learn before he became elite. He had shocked the state by winning the title as a freshman and followed that up with a strong offseason. When his sophomore season began he faced the No. 1-ranked kid in the country in his weight class in a tournament in Kentucky.

 

Nathan Boston won the match and left in indelible impression. Johnny realized he wasn't as good as he thought he was, which led to an even deeper dedication to getting stronger and learning all the technique he could master.

 

FAST FACTS

 

What: GHSA State Traditional Tournament

Where: Macon Centrepex today through Sunday

Who: Individuals in Classes AAA and up will start competition today; Classes A and AA start Friday

 

He hasn't lost a match since.

 

"Nathan Boston was a big influence after I figured out who he was," said Ragsdale, admitting he took the match lightly. "From that moment I've tried to learn something different from every match."

 

Adds Raby of that defining moment: "I'll never forget that match with Boston. He was ranked No. 1 in the country and Johnny learned that day he better be ready to go out and work and not believe he had anything won before it starts. He learned more from that match than any other, and it's no coincidence that's the last time he lost."

 

Ragsdale's mettle was tested most recently last Saturday when he faced Social Circle's Levi Leach in the Class AA East Sectional. Leach was a medalist in Class AAAA a year ago and had transferred this year to Social Circle, which is the class of double-A wrestling in Georgia. Chat rooms abounded with brazen talk that Leach would end Ragsdale's reign.

 

The match ended with a second-period pin. Long live the king.

 

"There was a lot of talk beforehand," Raby said with a wry grin, "but it got ugly early."

 

There aren't a lot of secrets to Ragsdale's success. He's not a fine technician who can turn any situation into a possible takedown. With Johnny you get what you get.

 

"I'm an aggressive, in-your-face wrestler, and I'm always attacking," he said when pressed to describe his style. "I do like to wear them out. There's a certain point when you know you've broken somebody and they're done wrestling -- it's really fun to do."

 

If there was a towel to be thrown in at a wrestling match to signal submission it's likely Ragsdale would lead the state in that category. In one of his title matches, which included 15 takedowns and ended with a technical fall, the opponent left the mat in tears.

 

"He never lets anybody get a second to recover," explains Raby. "Typically, in Johnny's matches, he'll have seven to 10 takedowns and the other guy will run out of bounds 10-to-20 times just because of that pressure. He's a nice kid ... just not on the wrestling mat."

 

He'll be a marked man again this weekend, but that fact only serves as extra motivation for the wrestler who can join Ringgold's Garrison Goins as the only Northwest Georgia wrestler to win win four GHSA titles. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe's Kenny Hill won three titles before winning a fourth in Tennessee at East Ridge as a senior.

 

Ragsdale also understands what it would mean to join the elite group of four-peaters.

 

"Knowing that everyone is coming after me has pushed me hard because I have to be prepared for anything," he said. "I would be part of that small group that has achieved it, and the only thing I can say is that it would be a great honor."

 

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.

[Sommers]

Nice Ward Gossett Write-up in Chattanooga Area Heavy Hitters...

 

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/preps/story/2015/feb/12/debien-sutherland-among-wrestlers-seeking-least-4th-state-medal/287913/

 

DeBien, Sutherland among wrestlers seeking at least 4th state medal

 

February 12th, 2015by Ward Gossettin Sports - PrepsRead Time: 3 mins.

 

Cleveland's Chris Debien, left, will be shooting for his fourth individual state championship when the TSSAA traditional tournament takes place this weekend in Franklin, Tenn.

 

Photo by Doug Strickland/Times Free Press.

 

It has been almost four years since Chris DeBien won his first state championship.

 

He was a wide-eyed and innocent 106-pounder, caught up in the emotion of his team's chase for a state championship.

 

He didn't know he should've had a case of nerves. This was wrestling, and wrestling was what he did.

 

"I almost had a stroke in the semis," his father and then coach Eric Phillips recalled. "We'd never talked about it. Then when he actually got there I just about stroked out."

 

Tennessee state wrestling tournaments

 

At Williamson County Agricultural Expo, Franklin, Tenn.

Admission $10 per person; parking $5

Schedule

(All times Eastern)

Today

Noon gates open

4 AAA round of 32, round of 16; 2 consolation rounds

Friday

11 a.m. AAA quarterfinals; A/AA round of 16; DII quarterfinals

Noon Girls' championship quarterfinals

7 Championship semifinals all divisions; A/AA, DII consolations

Saturday

11 a.m. Consolation semifinals all divisions; 3rd-6th medal rounds

Noon Girls championships

6 Boys championships (all divisions)

 

Tennessee's 5- and 4-time state wrestling champions

5—Zach Watson, Baylor (2008-09-10-11-12)

5—T.J. Duncan, McCallie (2007-08-09-10-11)

4—Stuart Doster, Baylor (2008-09-10-11)

4—Jordan Leen, Baylor (2001-02-03-04)

4—Bailey Whitaker, Baylor (2005-06-07-08)

4—Matt Keller, Bradley Central (1999-00-01-02)

4—Phillip Simpson, Montgomery Bell Acad. (1998-99-00-01)

4—Ryan Scott, McCallie (2001-02-03-04)

4 â€” Martin Francis, Notre Dame (1969-70-71-72)

4 â€” Campbell Lewis, Soddy-Daisy (2009-10-11-12)

 

As Cleveland goes for its fourth straight traditional championship, DeBien, now a 132-pounder, is leading the march as he goes for his fourth state title.

 

"We never talked about winning the state, and we still don't," Phillips said. "It's more 'Make today's practice better than yesterday's and tomorrow's better than today's.'"

 

DeBien is one of a handful of wrestlers in AAA, A/AA or Division II seeking at least a fourth state medal when the championship series opens this afternoon in Franklin.

 

Others include Brentwood Academy's Justin Becci (120), already a four-time medalist and a state runner-up last season, and three-time medalists Chad Solomon of Maryville, Devan Cyree of Tullahoma, Notre Dame's Packy Mullin, Wilson Central's John Kramer, Becci's teammate Christian Dilucchio, MBA's James Westbrooks and teammate Mark Floyd, and Baylor's Blake Sutherland and Michael Murphy.

 

While he might not be considered a Tennessee wrestling icon Sutherland is quite representative of the sport.

 

"It takes consistency," Baylor coach Ben Nelson said. "He has battled through injuries throughout his career, and the medals just show how tough he is mentally and physically — to be injured most every year and yet do what he's done."

 

Document: Tennessee returning medalists for 2015 state tournament

 

Tennessee returning medalists for 2015 state tournament

 

Sutherland has had three surgeries on his foot. He wrestled his way to a fourth-place finish as a freshman with a dislocated jaw and a broken rib.

 

"You have to be a different type athlete to compete in this sport," the 2014 state champ said. "It's a grind physically and mentally."

 

It isn't really any easier going into this year than any of the others.

 

"It's still tough whether you're a freshman or a senior, but it's as hard as you make it," he said. "If I'm in (the practice room) just going through the motions because I'm a senior I'm not getting any better and I'm not making my teammates any better. I try to push myself and my teammates."

 

Those seeking their first or second medal far outnumber the aforementioned and the first-timers include 10 eighth-graders, all but one of them in Division II. The D-II group includes Baylor's Mason Reiniche and McCallie's Mason Hughes.

 

They're in search of their first medal against wrestlers that are four or even five years older.

 

The best advice for them, said Nelson, is to keep doing what they've been doing.

 

"It's just another match. It's a little bigger stage, but it's still just another match," he said. "You can't make it out to be more than it is or you can't keep the proper perspective."

 

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.

 

Read next article

Early lessons fuel Gordon Lee wrestler Ragsdale

[Sommers]

Media Coverage for Coach Forman and his PF Tigers...

 

http://usatodayhss.com/2015/pigeon-forge-sends-14-wrestlers-to-state-tournament

 

WRESTLING

 

Pigeon Forge sends 14 wrestlers to state tournament

 

By: Courtney Lyle February 12, 2015

 

They’ve already brought home some hardware. The Pigeon Forge wrestling team is the first in East Tennessee to win back-to-back state dual championships.

 

“A lot of these kids we’ve had in our youth program years ago and our middle school program soon after that, all the way leading up into high school,†said head coach Greg Foreman.

 

A state title is great. Back-to-back titles is even better. But Pigeon Forge isn’t done.

 

For the first time in school history, Pigeon Forge qualified in every class for the individual championships. That’s 14 wrestlers.

 

“We’ve never had 14 people for each spot,†said senior Christian Sisto. “Last year, we didn’t even get to do that, so it was so exciting.â€

 

“We were all very happy because that’s what we wanted going into regions,†explained senior Alex Breeden. “We wanted everybody to do good and just to have all 14 go is just amazing.â€

 

The individual championships start Thursday in Franklin, Tennessee, but Pigeon Forge won’t wrestle until Friday.

 

TSSAA STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

Pigeon Forge Tigers headed to state:

 

Dymond Smith- 106

 

Gavin Hutchens-113

 

Jacob Ruiter-120

 

Elias Bond-126

 

Matthew Kieta- 132

 

Gary Reagan-138

 

Franklin Darnell- 145

 

Josh Croley-152

 

Ethan Olinger- 160

 

Xavier Bohanan- 170

 

Anthony Baiamonte- 182

 

Chris Poole- 195

 

Alex Breeden- 220

 

Christian Sisto- 285

[Sommers]

Why the Orange Hair all over at state?

 

http://wkrn.com/2015/02/12/participants-at-tssaa-tournament-dye-hair-orange-for-late-wrestler/

 

Wrestling teams dye hair orange to honor Blackman teen killed in crash

 

By Najahe ShermanPublished: February 12, 2015, 4:30 pm  Updated:February 12, 2015, 6:43 pm

 

57Click 

 

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Daniel Winters (Courtesy: Facebook.com)

 

Related Coverage

 

16-year-old Blackman High student killed in crash on I-24

 

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) – As wrestlers begin their quest for a state title at the TSSAA State Tournament held in Franklin, the Blackman High School wrestling team is honoring a teammate killed in a weekend crash.

 

Standout team member Daniel Wintersdied Sunday morning, just days before the tournament began.

 

The intensity of competing at the state level is amplified by the heavy weight of loss for the Blackman High School wrestlers.

 

“We’ve all just been ever since it happened, have been pushing harder and lifting each other up through the process,†said wrestler Dan Fehlaman.

 

Wrestler Clayton Apland added, “He just had one of the biggest hearts on the team. Every day you would come in that wrestling room and he would always have that smile on his face.â€

 

The team, and competitors from other schools, dyed their hair orange in honor of Winters.

 

They said he was always changing his hair color.

 

“He bleached his hair freshman year, then it went back to brown sophomore year, junior year he wanted to die it red,†explained Fehlaman.

 

Winters and the driver, 18-year-old Michael Brobeck, both qualified for the state wrestling championship about 10 hours prior to the accident.

 

The team said they are wrestling in Winters’ honor.

 

“We’re all here for his family. We love him and we’re going to get that state championship for him,†said Apland.

 

Winters was laid to rest Wednesday.

 

Brobeck has since been treated and released from an area hospital.

[Sommers]

Nice D2 Coverage from BB...

 

http://www.chattanoogan.com/2015/2/12/293997/TSSAA-D-II-Wrestling-Preview.aspx

 

TSSAA D-II Wrestling Preview

 

Wt by Wt preview notes predictions

 

Thursday, February 12, 2015 - by B.B. Branton

 

The 2015 TSSAA D-II state traditional wrestling tournament begins Friday at Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin at 11 a.m. (EST) with the quarterfinals and the semis are at 7 p.m. (EST)

 

Baylor ad Father Ryan are the favorites to battle for the title, but wrestlers from McCallie, Christian Brothers, Brentwood Academy will have a say in the final standings with big wins and a few upsets.

 

Championship finals in all divisions are Saturday at 6 p.m. EST

 

Trackwrestling.com will have all bracket updates throughout the tournament.

 

Weight by Weight Analysis 

 

106 - 2014 Champion – Eli King (Father Ryan) now at 132

 

Upper Bracket – Hunter Anderson (So. Brentwood Acad.) is only returning medalist (6th in 2014) .. should meet Thomas Bellet (MBA) in semis … Bellet (his brother, Sam, wrestles at 138) is the seventh brother to wrestle for coach Frank Simpson and there is one more sibling who could make the Big Red varsity in about five years.

 

Bottom Bracket – Christian Simpson (Father Ryan, son of hall of famer Jim Simpson) is favored to win the weight class and faces Hayden Hartline (Baylor)-Chadwick Cabenero (Christian Bros). winner the semis …

 

Finals: Thomas Bellet (MBA) vs. Christian Simpson (Father Ryan)

 

(If this happens coaching brothers Frank (MBA) and Pat (Father Ryan) will be sitting in opposite corners for a state finals match for the umpteenth time … and could very well do this multiple times Saturday night.)

 

113 – 2014 Champion – Michael Murphy (Baylor) now at 138

 

Top Bracket – region winner Raymond Eason (Father Ryan) meets Trace Jenkins (St. Benedict) in semis … Jenkins medaled in 2014

 

Bottom Bracket – Gabriel Elkin (MBA) is only returning medalist in this half … has twin brother Michael at 120 …

 

Finals: Ray Eason (Ryan) vs. Gabriel Elkins (MBA)

 

120 – 2014 Elijah Oliver (Christian Brothers) now wrestling in Illinois (will wrestle at Indiana U. next fall)

 

Strong weight class with six past medalists … and will have some of the best matches in D-II

 

Justin Becci (B.A.) , Trey Chalifoux (Father Ryan) and Michael Elkin (MBA) placed 2nd-3rd -5th respectively in 2014 at 113 … Becci beat Chalifoux in semis … Chalifoux beat Becci in this year’s region finals

 

Top Bracket – Four medalists in this half … Justin Becci (Sr., Brentwood Acad.) looks to be the one to make the finals … he goes for his fifth state medal and will wrestle at the Air Force Academy in the fall … Elkin’s twin brother Gabriel is wrestling at 113 … Michael should meet Becci-Jack Reynolds (Baylor) winner in the semis …

 

Bottom Bracket – Addison Cornell (McCallie) and Trey Chalifoux (Father Ryan) should be a great semis match even though Cornell is coming off an injury.

 

Finals: Justin Becci (B.A.) vs. Trey Chalifoux (Ryan)

 

126 – 2014 State Champion – James Westbrooks (McCallie) is at this weight

 

Another strong weight with a returning state champ and six past medalists

 

Top Bracket – 2014 state champ James Westbrooks (McCallie) and Christian Simpson (Father Ryan) should be an excellent semis …  Westbrooks has been out part of the season due to injury … Simpson is son of Ryan coach Pat Simpson

 

Bottom Bracket – Baylor eighth grader Mason Reiniche could win it all … has lost to Simpson in state duals and has a win against Westbrooks … Tanner Tisdell (Christian Brothers, 39 wins) and John Michael Glover (MBA) are past medalists and meet in quarters … Tisdell is cousin of USA national women’s team member Tricia Saunders  â€¦ she is a four-time world freestyle champion, is first female inducted into the National Wrestling HOF and is married to 1996 Olympic silver medalist Townsend Saunders …

 

Christian DiLucchio (Sr., Brentwood Academy) seeks fourth state medal and is working on his Eagle Scout project …

 

Finals Kirby Simpson (Father Ryan) vs. Mason Reiniche (Baylor)

 

132 – 2014 State Champion – Chris Wesnofske (Father Ryan) now at 145

 

State champion Eli King (Ryan), state runner-up Brock Herring (McCallie) and state medalist Trevor Brown (Christian Brothers) highlight this weight … King has wins over other two this year

 

Top Bracket – Trevor Brown (Christian Bros.) defeated Brock Herring (McCallie) in the state duals, 10-3 and they should meet in the semis …

 

Bottom Bracket – state champ Eli King (Ryan) is the favorite … and has a win over Herring in the state duals (and Brown in the region finals)

 

Finals: Trevor Brown (Christian Bros.) vs. Eli King (Father Ryan)

 

138 – 2014 State Champion Adam Connell (McCallie) now at Naval Academy Prep School

 

Two-time state champ Michael Murphy (Baylor) is the favorite …

 

Top Bracket – Daniel Wesley Father Ryan) won west region … should meet McCallie’s Ethan Dendy in semis …

 

Bottom Bracket – Michael Murphy (Baylor) goes for his third state title .. his dad, Pat was state champ at Hixson … Sam Bellet (Sr. MBA) goes for his third state medal … younger brother, Thomas, is at 106 …

 

Finals: Ethan Dendy (McCallie) vs. Michael Murphy (Baylor)

 

145 – 2014 State Champion – Griffin Davis (McCallie) has graduated

 

Top Bracket - big quarterfinal match between state champ Chris Wesnofske (Father Ryan) and Caleb Powell (Baylor) … Powell beat Wesnofkse, 8-2, in state duals …. McCallie’s Sam Harrelson beat Powell in region finals … four state medalists in this half

 

Bottom Bracket – Tommy Brackett (9th, Christian Brothers) and Wesnofske split two matches (both one pointers) this season … Brackett won, 2-1, in west region final … Brackett (36-7) has to get past two senior medalists in this half to make the finals …

 

Finals: Caleb Powell (Baylor) vs. Tommy Brackett (Christian Brothers) …

 

152 – 2014 State Champion – Blake Sutherland (Baylor) now at 160

 

Top Bracket – two senior medalists meet in the semis … Marcello Morrice (Ryan) vs. Caleb Canada (Baylor) is re-match of state duals finals with Morrice winning, 12-4 …

 

Bottom Bracket – region champ Will Patton (McCallie) has a win over Canada, but a loss to Morris

 

Finals: Marcello Morrice (Father Ryan) vs. Will Patton (McCallie)

 

160 – 2014 State Champion Bryson Popp (Baylor) has graduated

 

Top Bracket – Baylor senior Blake Sutherland is man to beat …

 

Bottom Bracket – Nick Naughton (Father Ryan) is a returning state medalist … lost a major decision to Sutherland in state duals …

 

Finals: Blake Sutherland (Baylor) vs. Nick Naughton (Father Ryan)

 

170 – 2014 State Champion - John Hagey (Father Ryan) has graduated

 

Top Bracket – Dallas Broughton (Sr.,Christian Brothers) won the west region and is 43-1 … is a pitcher on the baseball team … Andrew Wesnofske (Ryan) beat Carter Heckle (MBA) in regular dual match … Broughton beat Wesnofske in an early season dual …

 

Bottom Bracket -  Cayman Seagraves is odds on favorite to win the title after a second place finish a year ago … Max Mullen (Brentwood Acad.) …Max goes on mission trips to Belize every summer ...  His mother is gospel singer Nicole C. Mullen …

 

Finals: Dallas Broughton (Christian Brothers) vs. Cayman Seagraves (Baylor)

 

182 – 2014 State Champion – Ryan Parker (Baylor) is at 195 this yr going for third title

 

Top Bracket – Cole Euverard (MBA) was D-II Mr. Football Offensive Player of Year … led Big Red to state title as quarterback …

 

Bottom Bracket … Patrick Healy (Christian Bros.), his dad wrestled at Minnesota-Duluth and also wrestled internationally …  Baylor’s Cole Holloway won a state title at 113 in 2011 …  Wyatt Lindlau (St. Andrews-Sewanee is an Eagle Scout and throws the shot and discus in the spring

 

Finals: Cole Euverard (MBA) vs. Cole Holloway (Baylor)

 

195 – 2014 State Champion - Trel Phillips (McCallie) – is back to defend title at same weight

 

Top Bracket – Trel Phillps (McCalie) should make the finals … has lost to Parker twice this season … Grayson Walthall (Christian Bros.), his brother Barrett wrestles for UTC

 

Bottom Bracket – two-time state champ Ryan Parker (Jr. Baylor) advances to final … has lettered in four sports and will concentrate on track and field this spring … not sure whether to pursue wrestling or football in college …

 

Final:  Trel Phillips McCallie (McCallie) vs. Ryan Parker (Baylor)

 

220 – 2014 State Champion – D’On Coofer (MBA) is back to defend title at same weight

 

Top Bracket – D’On Coofer (MBA) and Jon Schmissrauter (Baylor) in semis … Coofer beat Schmissrauter in the region …

 

Bottom Bracket - Jay Roberts (McCallie) and Ben Stacey (Ryan) in semis … Stacey beat him in state duals … Jacob Cretin (Brentwood Acad.) will play football at Wheaton College in the fall …

 

Finals: D’On Coofer (MBA) vs. Ben Stacey (Father Ryan)

 

285 – 2014 State Champion D.J. Palmore (Christian Brothers) has graduated

 

Top Bracket – important matches include River Henry (McCallie) and Jeremy Darvin (Ryan) in quarters with winner to most likely face Michael Beamon (Brentwood Acad.) who won the west region and will play football for Tyler (Texas) Jr. College in the fall … his dad played for Tennessee State …

 

Bottom Bracket – Baylor’s Cooper Reiniche is favored in this half … younger brother is at 126

 

Finals: River Henry (McCallie) vs. Cooper Reiniche (Baylor)

 

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net