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Marshall County Tribune

Rockets send record 10 wrestlers to state tournament

Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Anthony S. Puca Sports Editor
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The eight Forrest state tournament qualifiers from left are, Carson Blackwell, Wesley McCoy, Jeff Gross, Braiden Vanderploeg, Forest Ozburn, Noah Hill, Cole Geeting, and Nick McClendon.
Tribune photos by Anthony S. Puca

The Forrest wrestling team continues to reach new heights as they broke a school record on Saturday at the Region 3-AA Tournament at Eagleville with eight male grapplers and two female wrestlers qualifying for this week’s Class A-AA Wrestling Championships at the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Park in Franklin.

“It’s been a year of ups and downs, it’s been a whirlwind,” Forrest coach Chris Slaughter said. “We didn’t wrestle perfect, but we wrestled with passion and we wrestled with heart and we did not stop.”

Forrest senior Jeff Gross led the way for the Rockets, claiming his fourth consecutive region title and will going for his third straight top spot on the podium at the state championships this weekend.

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Forrest senior Jeff Gross (top) won his fourth region crown in a row and will wrestle for a third straight state championship this weekend at the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships in Franklin.

“That was huge, it helps set a good precedent and a good foundation and it gives these other guys something to strive for, something to work for,” Slaughter said.

Gross has wrestled in four different weight classes in his career at Forrest and is currently 38-1 on the season after sweeping through the 138-pound weight bracket at Eagleville.

“This has been fun, just going out there and always performing, it’s been fun,” Gross said.

Gross was under the weather for much of the week and after a pair of pins in the quarterfinals and semifinals, Gross ran into one of his toughest matches of his career when he had to gut out a 3-0 win over Signal Mountain’s Kevin Muschel.

“I just came back from the flu, I didn’t practice all week and I didn’t have my gas tank up,” Gross said. “He didn’t surprise me at all, so I was attacking and making him react.”

“I’m looking forward to getting back out there and feeling better this week and win state.”

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Forrest senior Wesley McCoy (top) gutted out a 6-5 win over Signal Mountain’s Jake Woodlief to win the 160-pound weight class at Eagleville.

Senior Wes McCoy (15-2) will also be making his fourth straight trip to the state tournament after winning the 160-pound weight bracket.

McCoy won the region title at 195 last year and at 160 in his freshman campaign, while finishing in second place his sophomore season.

He continually makes the climb at the state championships, finishing third as a sophomore and second as a junior last season.

McCoy also came up with a pair of pins in his first two matches before coming away with a tough 6-5 decision over Signal Mountain’s Jake Woodlief in the title bout at Eagleville.

“I had the mindset of just going out there and beat on him the whole time and just do what I do,” McCoy said. “After the semifinals matches and we knew we were all in the finals, we were all pumped.”

McCoy has a history of coming away with wins in close title matches at the region tournament as he won 5-3 last season, 8-2 as a freshman, and he lost a close 8-6 decision his sophomore campaign.

“We can’t let Jeff stand up there all by himself this year, he has to have a couple partners,” McCoy said about winning a state title.

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Forrest junior Nick McClendon (right) came up with a third-round pin over Nolensville’s Mike McWilliams to claim the 170-pound region title.

Junior Nick McClendon has only been wrestling for the Rockets for two years and he has won the region title both times and finished in third place last year at the state championships.

McClendon (14-0) was arguably the most dominating grappler at the region tournament, winning all three of his matches in the 170-pound weight class by falls, including a third round pin over Nolensville’s Mike McWilliams with 1:08 remaining in a match he was leading 15-8 before taking down the Knight wrestler.

“I had to fight through some adversity to get that pin,” McClendon said. “Persistence is key, so we just go in there and get done what has to get done.”

“This feel good, but I’m ready to go get that state championship now.”

Nick’s older brother Tyler won the first ever state title in any men’s sport at Forrest when he captured the 195-pound weight class in the 2013-2014 campaign with a 38-1 record.

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Forrest sophomore Noah Hill (top) gets a takedown for two points in his 10-5 win over Nolensville’s McKinley Wagner in the 195-pound title bout at the Region 3A-AA Tournament at Eagleville on Saturday.

Noah Hill (36-3) has burst on to the scene for Forrest as the sophomore grappler captured the region title in the 195-pound weight class with a clean sweep at Eagleville, coming away with pins in his first two matches before securing the crown and a state tournament berth with a 10-5 decision over Nolensville’s McKinley Wagner in the title bout.

“It feels good to go out there and win,” Hill said. “Winning a state title is a dream of mine, these guys push me to go after that and follow in their footsteps, and I look up to all of them.”

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Forrest sophomore Cole Geeting (top) gets the third-round pin over Whitwell’s John King to claim third place in the 152-pound weight class.

Sophomore Cole Geeting (28-9) finished in third place after a second place region finish last year.

Geeting had to battle his way back with a pair of pins after falling in his semifinal bout to Preston Worley from Signal Mountain in the 152-pound weight division.

Geeting took a fifth place finish at last year’s state tournament.

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Forrest junior Carson Blackwell (top) came from behind to get a third-round pin over Watertown’s Zane Willis to qualify for the state tournament.

Three newcomers broke through with state tournament berths for the Rockets as junior Carson Blackwell (27-13) came back out of the 145-pound consolation bracket for a fourth place finish and sophomore Forest Ozburn (25-13) finished second at 113, while his classmate Braiden Vanderploeg (17-9) came home in third place at 106.

“I look at guys like Braiden Vanderploeg and Carson Blackwell who were down in the last couple seconds of matches and just gutting it out and making it happen,” Slaughter said. “That’s just a testament to these guys coming in and having a fire and having a desire to do well.”

After Lythia Ramirez became the first Forrest female wrestler to reach the state tournament last season, two more followed in her footsteps as Jesmarie Negron (125) and Anna Allbert (170) finished in third and fourth place respectively at the TSSAA Girls West Region Tournament at Nolensville on January 26.

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Forrest’s Jesmarie Negron qualified for this week’s state tournament when she finished in third place in the 125-pound weight class at Nolensville on January 26.

Forrest

106-Pounds: Braiden Vanderploeg (17-9, 3rd place)

Round 1 - Braiden Vanderploeg, (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Braiden Vanderploeg won by fall over Malikhi Johnson (Red Bank), 2:54.

Semifinal - Riley Lippincott (Nolensville) won by fall over Braiden Vanderploeg, 5:50.

Consolation Semifinal - Braiden Vanderploeg won by fall over Alexander George (Whitwell), 3:45.

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Forrest freshman Braiden Vanderploeg (top) came up with a fall over Malikhi Johnson from Red Bank in the quarterfinals.

3rd Place Match - Braiden Vanderploeg won by fall over Perrin Clark (East Ridge), 2:54.

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Freshman Forest Ozburn (top) won by major decision over Hunter Nolan from Sequatchie County in the semifinals.

113: Forest Ozburn (25-13, 2nd place)

Round 1 - Forest Ozburn, (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Forest Ozburn won by fall over Cameron Burns (Eagleville), 3:12.

Semifinal - Forest Ozburn won by major decision over Hunter Nolan (Sequatchie Co.), 18-10.

1st Place Match - Daniel Uhorchuk (Signal Mountain), won by fall over Forest Ozburn, 0:18.

120: Asa Nance (12-23)

Round 1 - Asa Nance (Forrest), (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Noah Shriner (Signal Mountain) won by fall over Asa Nance, 1:37.

Consolation Round 2 - Asa Nance (Forrest), (Bye).

Consolation Round 3 - Asa Nance won by fall over Lee Smith (Tennessee School for the Blind), 1:17.

Consolation Semifinal - Brice Barton (Whitwell) won by fall over Asa Nance, 2:09.

138: Jeffrey Gross (38-1, 1st place)

Round 1 - Jeffrey Gross, (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Jeffrey Gross won by fall over Elijah Arnold (Cascade), 1:22.

Semifinal - Jeffrey Gross won by fall over Kayden Walker (Nolensville), 1:03.

1st Place Match - Jeffrey Gross won by decision over Kevin Muschel (Signal Mountain), 3-0.

145: Carson Blackwell (27-13, 4th place)

Round 1 - Carson Blackwell, (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Gavin Channell (Nolensville) won by major decision over Carson Blackwell, 25-11.

Consolation Round 2 - Carson Blackwell, (Bye).

Consolation Round 3 - Carson Blackwell won by fall over Aaron Foster (Marshall Co.), 4:39.

Consolation Semifinal - Carson Blackwell won by fall over Zane Willis (Watertown), 4:33.

3rd Place Match - Jaren Thames (Whitwell) won by fall over Carson Blackwell, 2:38.

152: Cole Geeting (28-9, 3rd place)

Round 1 - Cole Geeting (Forrest), (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Cole Geeting won by fall over Anthony Moody (Watertown), 2:27.

Semifinal - Preston Worley (Signal Mountain) won by fall over Cole Geeting, 1:55.

Consolation Semifinal - Cole Geeting won by fall over Gavin Rich (Nolensville), 1:27.

3rd Place Match - Cole Geeting won by fall over John King (Whitwell), 3:24.

160: Wesley McCoy (25-2, 1st place)

Round 1 - Wesley McCoy, (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Wesley McCoy won by fall over Avery Mayberry (Tennessee School for the Blind), 1:55.

Semifinal - Wesley McCoy won by fall over Alex Rhodes (Nolensville), 1:01.

1st Place Match - Wesley McCoy won by decision over Jake Woodlief (Signal Mountain), 6-5.

170: Nick McClendon (14-0, 1st place)

Round 1 - Nick McClendon, (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Nick McClendon won by fall over Joshua Miller (Stratford), 1:06.

Semifinal - Nick McClendon won by fall over Nathan Berry (Watertown), 2:12.

1st Place Match - Nick McClendon won by fall over Mike McWilliams (Nolensville), 4:52.

182: Austin Connell (19-11)

Round 1 - Austin Connell, (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Sanders Lovvorn (Cascade) won by decision over Austin Connell, 8-1.

Consolation Round 2 - Austin Connell, (Bye).

Consolation Round 3 - Austin Connell won by injury default over Jonathan Keesee (East Nashville), 3:57.

Consolation Semifinal - Nathan Montpool (Nolensville) won by fall over Austin Connell, 3:25.

195: Noah Hill (36-3) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.

Round 1 - Noah Hill, (Bye).

Quarterfinal - Noah Hill won by fall over Jeffrey Pennick (Sequatchie Co.), 0:25.

Semifinal - Noah Hill won by fall over Christian Wampler (East Ridge), 4:46.

1st Place Match - Noah Hill won by decision over McKinley Wagner (Nolensville), 10-5.

Region 3A-AA Tournament

At Eagleville

Overall Results

106-Pounds

1st Place - Riley Lippincott (Nolensville)

2nd Place - Caleb Uhorchuk (Signal Mountain)

3rd Place - Braiden Vanderploeg (Forrest)

4th Place - Perrin Clark (East Ridge)

1st Place Match-Riley Lippincott (Nolensville) over Caleb Uhorchuk (Signal Mountain), 11-7.

3rd Place Match-Braiden Vanderploeg (Forrest) over Perrin Clark (East Ridge), (Fall 2:54).

113

1st Place - Daniel Uhorchuk (Signal Mountain)

2nd Place - Forest Ozburn (Forrest)

3rd Place - Kyle Harper (Red Bank)

4th Place - Luke Dobson (Whitwell)

1st Place Match-Daniel Uhorchuk (Signal Mountain) over Forest Ozburn (Forrest), (Fall 0:18).

3rd Place Match-Kyle Harper (Red Bank) over Luke Dobson (Whitwell), (MD 14-3).

120

1st Place - Max Dansereau (Nolensville)

2nd Place - Gabe Pennington (Eagleville)

3rd Place - Brice Barton (Whitwell)

4th Place - Noah Shriner (Signal Mountain)

1st Place Match-Max Dansereau (Nolensville) over Gabe Pennington (Eagleville), (Forfeit).

3rd Place Match-Brice Barton (Whitwell) over Noah Shriner (Signal Mountain), (Dec 4-2).

126

1st Place - Kale Albritton (Signal Mountain)

2nd Place - Jacob Vogelpohl (Nolensville)

3rd Place - Paxton Albright (Sequatchie Co.)

4th Place - Andrew Green (Watertown)

1st Place Match-Kale Albritton (Signal Mountain) over Jacob Vogelpohl (Nolensville), (MD 14-2).

3rd Place Match-Paxton Albright (Sequatchie Co.) over Andrew Green (Watertown), (Fall 4:26).

132

1st Place - Sam Wickizer (Signal Mountain)

2nd Place -Ty Martin (Nolensville)

3rd Place - Griffin Horton (Whitwell)

4th Place - Aidan Maharrey (Red Bank)

1st Place Match-Sam Wickizer (Signal Mountain) over Ty Martin (Nolensville), (Dec 8-4).

3rd Place Match-Griffin Horton (Whitwell) over Aidan Maharrey (Red Bank), (Dec 11-4).

138

1st Place - Jeffrey Gross (Forrest)

2nd Place - Kevin Muschel (Signal Mountain)

3rd Place - Amado Gomez (Whitwell)

4th Place - Ammon Scott Edwards (Sequatchie Co.)

1st Place Match-Jeffrey Gross (Forrest) over Kevin Muschel (Signal Mountain), (Dec 3-0).

3rd Place Match-Amado Gomez (Whitwell) over Ammon Scott Edwards (Sequatchie Co.), (Fall 0:51).

145

1st Place - Gavin Channell (Nolensville)

2nd Place - Will Keener (Sequatchie Co.)

3rd Place - Jaren Thames (Whitwell)

4th Place - Carson Blackwell (Forrest)

1st Place Match-Gavin Channell (Nolensville) over Will Keener (Sequatchie Co.), (Dec 9-4).

3rd Place Match-Jaren Thames (Whitwell) over Carson Blackwell (Forrest), (Fall 2:38).

152

1st Place - Wyatt McLemore (Eagleville)

2nd Place - Preston Worley (Signal Mountain)

3rd Place - Cole Geeting (Forrest)

4th Place - John King (Whitwell)

1st Place Match-Wyatt McLemore (Eagleville) over Preston Worley (Signal Mountain), (MD 12-2).

3rd Place Match-Cole Geeting (Forrest) over John King (Whitwell), (Fall 3:24).

160

1st Place - Wesley McCoy (Forrest)

2nd Place - Jake Woodlief (Signal Mountain)

3rd Place - Caden Cline (Red Bank)

4th Place - Ivan Miller (East Nashville)

1st Place Match-Wesley McCoy (Forrest) over Jake Woodlief (Signal Mountain), (Dec 6-5).

3rd Place Match-Caden Cline (Red Bank) over Ivan Miller (East Nashville), (Fall 3:36).

170

1st Place - Nick McClendon (Forrest)

2nd Place - Mike McWilliams (Nolensville)

3rd Place - Jason Dennis (Eagleville)

4th Place - Jacob Roberts (Whitwell)

1st Place Match- Nick McClendon (Forrest) over Mike McWilliams (Nolensville), (Fall 4:52).

3rd Place Match-Jason Dennis (Eagleville) over Jacob Roberts (Whitwell), (Fall 4:01).

182

1st Place - Allen Ashworth (Whitwell)

2nd Place - Kwon Park (Eagleville)

3rd Place - Sanders Lovvorn (Cascade)

4th Place - Nathan Montpool (Nolensville)

1st Place Match-Allen Ashworth (Whitwell) over Kwon Park (Eagleville), (Fall 2:18).

3rd Place Match-Sanders Lovvorn (Cascade) over Nathan Montpool (Nolensville), (Fall 2:49).

195

1st Place - Noah Hill (Forrest)

2nd Place - McKinley Wagner (Nolensville)

3rd Place - Jadarius Spencer (East Nashville)

4th Place - Donovan Darnell (Eagleville)

1st Place Match-Noah Hill (Forrest) over McKinley Wagner (Nolensville), (Dec 10-5).

3rd Place Match-Jadarius Spencer (East Nashville) over Donovan Darnell (Eagleville), (Fall 4:06).

220

1st Place - Wes Miller (Nolensville)

2nd Place - Mason Hilke (Signal Mountain)

3rd Place - Xion Dixon (Cascade)

4th Place - Alexander Owens (Watertown)

1st Place Match-Wes Miller (Nolensville) over Mason Hilke (Signal Mountain), (Fall 2:28).

3rd Place Match-Xion Dixon (Cascade) over Alexander Owens (Watertown), (Fall 1:17).

285

1st Place - Hayden Brammer (Nolensville)

2nd Place - James Headrick (Whitwell)

3rd Place - Cole Stevens (Red Bank)

4th Place - Dylan Estes (Cascade)

1st Place Match-Hayden Brammer (Nolensville) over James Headrick (Whitwell), (Fall 1:51).

3rd Place Match-Cole Stevens (Red Bank) over Dylan Estes (Cascade), (Fall 3:23).

Team Scores

Nolensville (224.0)

Signal Mountain (185.5)

Forrest (172.0)

Whitwell (151.0)

Eagleville (93.0)

Red Bank (67.0)

Sequatchie Co. (67.0)

Watertown (56.0)

Cascade (55.0)

East Nashville (46.0)

East Ridge (29.0)

Howard School of Academics and Technology (9.0)

Tennessee School for the Blind (8.0)

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Marshall County’s Mikey Pulido (right) just missed qualifying for the state tournament when he fell in a close 3-0 bout to Dylan Estes from Cascade in the 285-pound weight class.

Marshall Co. (7.0)

Stratford (4.0)

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Forrest’s Anna Allbert (far right) stands on the fourth-place spot on the podium at the Region Tournament in Nolensville.

Forrest Girls

At Nolensville

January 26

125-Pounds

1st Place - Robin Yunis (Rossview)

2nd Place - Maryanne Walker (Coffee Co)

3rd Place - Jesmarie Negron (Forrest)

4th Place - Madison Kohler (Eagleville)

1st Place Match-Robin Yunis (Rossview) over Maryanne Walker (Coffee Co.), (Fall 0:26).

3rd Place Match- Jesmarie Negron (Forrest) over Madison Kohler (Eagleville), (Fall 1:20).

170

1st Place - Jane Allen (Tullahoma)

2nd Place - Deyla Brito-Perez (Northwest)

3rd Place - Shelby Zacharias (Creek Wood)

4th Place - Anna Allbert (Forrest)

1st Place Match-Jane Allen (Tullahoma) over Deyla Brito-Perez (Northwest), (Fall 4:30).

3rd Place Match-Shelby Zacharias (Creek Wood) over Anna Allbert (Forrest), (Fall 0:11).

 
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Blackman wrestling team enjoys success despite practicing for two years in barn

CECIL JOYCE | MURFREESBORO DAILY NEWS JOURNAL
2:53 p.m. CST Feb. 14, 2019
 
 
 
 

VIDEO: Blackman, Eagleville wrestlers prepare for state

 
 
 
 
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VIDEO: Blackman, Eagleville wrestlers prepare for state
Blackman's wrestling team has practiced at Murfreesboro's Lane Agri-Park for two years. Wednesday the team practiced with Eagleville and Bartlett grapplers in preparation for the state individual tournament.
CECIL JOYCE

Blackman senior wrestler Landon Fowler will attempt to earn his second consecutive state individual title in the 170-pound division this weekend at the TSSAA state tournament at Franklin's Williamson Ag & Expo Center.

It's a feat he will have to accomplish without using the team's wrestling facility for two years. Located behind Blackman Middle and just across the street from Blackman High, the facility was all but wiped out in a fire in July 2017.

"We haven't practiced in our old building in a long time," said Fowler. "I had been practicing there since I was 3. It was very nice having that. But we get our practices in."

Blackman wrestling holds practice in the Lane Agri-Park Livestock barn on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019 as wrestling teams from Eagleville and Bartlett High Schools also practice with them.
 
Blackman wrestling holds practice in the Lane Agri-Park Livestock barn on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019 as wrestling teams from Eagleville and Bartlett High Schools also … Show more 
 
HELEN COMER/DNJ

How do the Blaze get their practices in? They can thank Murfreesboro's publicly owned Lane Agri-Park.

Blackman has been practicing at the Agri-Park's Livestock center since the fire displaced the team.

"We are grateful to them," said Blackman wrestling coach Ronnie Bray. The city typically charges $500 a day to rent the facility but offered it to the Blaze for free, Bray said.

 

"We knew we were going to be displaced, and the high school has so many clubs and sports, there was absolutely no room there," Bray said.

"We tried the middle school and elementary school is also filled with basketball and archery and volleyball ... it was hard to find a place. The coaches got together and drove around the vicinity of the school and came across this. We talked to the city manager (then Rob Lyons) and were fortunate enough to go before the conservation board, and they let us use it.

"It's saved us the last two years."

Not getting to practice at home has certainly presented challenges. Coaches and athletes have to drive (albeit a relatively short one to John Rice Boulevard) to practice, as opposed to walking from school.

"It can be a hassle," Fowler said. "Sometimes we have to pick up mats and move them. It really showed how good we had it before the old building burned down."

Plastic, plywood and mats have to be paced on the floor of the barn before the Blackman wrestlers can practice in the Lane Agri-Park Livestock barn on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019.
 
Plastic, plywood and mats have to be paced on the floor of the barn before the Blackman wrestlers can practice in the Lane Agri-Park Livestock … Show more 
 
HELEN COMER/DNJ

The livestock barn, which is considerably smaller than the Blaze practice facility, also has to be converted for the team to practice.

"As grateful as we are to have this, at the end of the day it's still a barn," Bray said. "It's a livestock barn with a mulch floor. We have to put a layer of plastic (over the mulch), then plywood over that where we can put the (wrestling) mats down.

"But it's better than no place at all."

One of the area's top wrestling squads over the past several years, Blackman has enjoyed success despite the challenges. The team finished in the top six in the state duals tournament this season and sent 10 boys and one girl to this weekend's individual state meet.

"We've always had adversity," said Blackman senior Jalen Brown, who is competing in the 152-pound division at state. "We're a family. We've always battled through tough times. We find a place and work hard, no matter the situation. We always come back from it.

The inside of the Blackman wrestling facility, which was damaged by a fire in July 2017.
 
The inside of the Blackman wrestling facility, which was damaged by a fire in July 2017.  
SUBMITTED

"We're going to work with what we have. Sure, our building was nice, but it didn't shape who we were as a team."

Bray said the program is "going through the bid process" on reconstructing the team's home facility. He had no timetable but said "hopefully sooner than later. A lot of hoops to jump through.

"Hard work is going to be hard work, no matter where you practice. We haven't skipped a beat on that."

The 10 Blaze wrestlers who were competing in the individual boys state (which began Thursday) included Fowler, Brown, Adam Tibitoski (106), Alex Rose (113), Liam Elam (126), Austin Marlatt (132), Evan Smart (138), Anthony Gomez (160), Brooks Sacharczyk (182) and Bowdy Boyce (220).

Freshman Alyson Colson was representing the Blaze in the girls division (103), the first female state tournament participant from Blackman.

Reach Cecil Joyce at [email protected] or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce

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Chattanooga-area prep wrestlers shoot for state titles in Georgia, Tennessee [photos]

February 13th, 2019by Patrick MacCoonin Sports - PrepsRead Time: 2 mins.
 
1550102753_012519-McCallie-at-Baylor-W_gs_t350_hc689e52f82b3aa2550bc41934fb46a6bfb8517ff.jpg

Baylor's Mason Reiniche, top, and McCallie's Russell Barry wrestle Jan. 25 at Baylor during a dual the host Red Raiders won 45-26. Both wrestlers are in the 170-pound bracket at the TSSAA's Division II state traditional tournament.

Photo by Erin O. Smith /Times Free Press.

Gallery: Chattanooga-area prep wrestlers

 
 

Ben Nelson is in his ninth season as Baylor's wrestling coach, so he knows what to expect when the TSSAA state traditional tournament gets underway Thursday in Franklin.

"This sport is so intense, difficult and takes so much discipline that when you finally get to the end of the season, you have all that built up emotion ready to pour out," Nelson said. "For everyone there, it is an interesting finale."

 

Know your community. Read local.

The Red Raiders won Tennessee's Division II state duals championship two weeks ago in Franklin with a four-point victory over rival McCallie in the final, and this week they'll try to sweep the division's state titles for the first time since 2011.

Just two of Baylor's 13 state qualifiers are seniors, so the program's future looks to remain bright, but old or young, Nelson said those who end up on the top step of the medal stand Saturday night will share a key trait.

"Hating to lose more than anything is the key ingredient across the board for a state champion," he said. "We have tried to keep our guys fresh and not burnt out. It's very important to be mentally prepared for this week."

The GHSA state traditional tournament started Wednesday in Macon with a round of championship competition and a round of wrestlebacks for Georgia's top four classifications. The girls' division and Classes A through AAA will begin competition Thursday morning at the Centreplex, and as in Tennessee, the GHSA's finals are set for Saturday.

GHSA state qualifiers made it to Macon via area and then sectional tournaments, and two local standouts will be shooting for a fourth consecutive individual state title. In AAAAAA, Dalton 132-pounder Tyler Hunt improved to 63-0 with a first-period pin in his opening match Wednesday. In AAA, Sonoraville 145-pounder Trevor Burdick is 47-0 as he aims to finish undefeated.

That also will be the goal for four Chattanooga-area wrestlers at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park. In Division II, Notre Dame's Cade Holloway (113 pounds) is 33-0 and Baylor's Mason Reineche (170) is 34-0, while in AAA, Cleveland's Trae McDaniel (106 pounds) is 35-0 and in A-AA, Signal Mountain's Daniel Uhorchuk (113) is 37-0.

Only three wrestling programs at the TSSAA state tournament qualified a team member for each of the 14 weight classes: Bradley Central and Cleveland in AAA and Hixson in A-AA.

Cleveland is trying to sweep the state team titles for the second consecutive year. The Blue Raiders beat rival Bradley Central in the AAA duals final early this month, and when those teams' qualifiers are combined with Walker Valley's seven, schools in Bradley County will have an impressive total of 35 representatives at state.

Ooltewah also has seven qualifiers in AAA.

Hixson's hunt for the A-AA team title will be led by Charles Burton (126), Rylie Hart (138), Jordan Lewis (145) and Devotis McCurdy (285), each with more than 40 wins this season. Signal Mountain and Whitwell each advanced nine wrestlers to the A-AA brackets, with Central sending eight.

As for the area's GHSA programs, Sonoraville has a dozen qualifiers as the Phoenix try to repeat as champions a year after winning state for the first time, which they did with just eight qualifiers. Two programs from northeast Georgia are expected to be strong contenders in AAA as well: North Hall has 13 qualifiers and Jefferson 11.

For Dalton in AAAAAA, Hunter Noland (126), who's 58-1, and Cole Hunt (106), who's 60-3, are among the Catamounts joining Tyler Hunt in trying to help the program earn a strong finish in the team standings.

Contact Patrick MacCoon at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

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Livingston's Winningham puts wrestling in perspective

Livingston Academy senior Cheyenne Winningham, left, poses with her coach Cody Newman after finishing third in this year's regional championships.
Livingston Academy senior Cheyenne Winningham, left, poses with her coach Cody Newman after finishing third in this year's regional championships.
Posted Thursday, February 14, 2019
BY SCOTT WILSON

Cheyenne Winningham doesn’t like being told she can’t do something. The Livingston Academy senior will find a way, do whatever she has to do, to accomplish whatever task is in front of her. In her eyes, it is just a matter of getting it done.

That will be the case this weekend when Winningham, one of the top female wrestlers in the state, begins her quest today for a title at the state wrestling championships at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin.

“I am really excited about going to the state,” Winningham said, who will be chasing her second straight state title. “However, I am nervous.”

Winningham began her career in wrestling after watching her cousin compete. She thought it looked like a lot of fun and thought she would be pretty good at it.

After getting involved with it, learning the ups and downs of the sport, she found out just how good she was.

“Wrestling helps you get your anger out without fighting,” laughed Winningham, the granddaughter of Edna and Gary Winningham. “It is a great sport, but it is not very easy. You have to practice a lot and work really hard. I have only been wrestling for two years, but I think I have improved a lot. My overall fitness has gotten better.”

Winningham said she remembers her first competitive match, a victory by pin —  by the way. “I was very surprised that I was able to do so well so quickly,” she said. “I really thought I was going to get in there and get pinned right off the bat.”

The hard work in her career started in her earnest after her junior season. She began preparing for the 2018-19 campaign and Winningham focused on getting better and earning another trip to the state contest. This time, she hopes, she will bring home the title.

“I was very shocked to actually qualify for state because I was beaten in the first round of the regional championship,” she said. “I cried a little bit, I am not even going to lie. I won the second match and ended up finishing third overall.”

 Winningham would eagerly accept a third-place finish this weekend in Franklin. Leading up to the meet, she has been watching match film and working more on her game. Opponents in the state meet are dependent upon who wins and who loses, so there’s really not a lot of room for scouting.

“Getting to the state championship is something to be proud of, especially when you’re going for the second straight year,” Winningham said. “There is so much you have to do to prepare for it.”

Winningham said a top 16 finish would be a great, realistic accomplishment for her and something she would remember forever.

However, when asked what it would mean for her to actually win the championship, she said she thinks of it in the bigger picture.

“There are a lot of people that don’t think girls should be wrestling. I have run into them,” relayed Winningham.

“More or less I just tell them at least I have the guts (to take on the challenge.) Everyone has their opinion, so I just use it as motivation to do better. I want to prove them wrong.

“It would be very exciting to actually win, a dream come true. It would be great to prove to everyone that even though you’re from this small town you can do anything you want to do.

“Hopefully, that would reach little girls and let them know that whatever they dream they can achieve it. If you believe in yourself, it can come true.”

________________________________

 
West TN...

Read about these local high school wrestlers who will compete at state today

  • Larrick Johnson, Special to The Leader
  •  
    • 15 hrs ago
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Chase Millican

Keegan Schulz

wrestling

Gavin Haynes

Let’s just set the tone: There were 13 schools in the area competing to put the four best wrestlers in each weight class on the podium and send them to compete in the Division I-AAA State Wrestling Championships.

Munford Cougars competing in the Region 8-AAA tournament last Saturday at Collierville broke a 13-year record. Between the two schools’ wrestling programs, both co-op Munford-Brighton and individual teams since 1999, the most either school sent had been four.

The Cougars are sending seven wrestlers, shattering the previous record. As a team, the Cougars placed fifth out of 13 schools.

 Led by junior Keegan Schultz (106 pounds), who maintained his number one position, started the day off pinning Cole Stevens of Bolton in the quarterfinal round in just 40 seconds.

Schultz followed that up with a pin over Javier Montero of Cordova in 1:15.

The finals were a different story vs. Steven Dindl of Bartlett, the number two seed. It showed as each wrestler scored and was scored on.  After the regulation six minutes the score was tied at 4-4.  As the one-minute overtime started,  Schultz didn’t waste anytime by hitting a beautiful dunk-under to score a two-point takedown and become the only region champ Munford would have this day.  This is Schultz’s third time going to state.  

Sophomore Chase Millican (113), who came in as the third-seeded wrestler,  had a great day also, pinning Emmanuel Clark of Germantown in 36 seconds if the first period.  

In the semifinals, Millican faced the number two seed, Jacob Roaten of Arlington. It was a rout, with Millican winning by major decision 13-7, upsetting the number two seed.  In the finals, Millican faced the number one seed, Kolin Koss of Bartlett. After giving a good effort Millican fell to Koss by major decision, 15-4.  

This will be Millican’s second straight trip to state.

Freshman Wemauamungu Moktani (120) came into the tournament as the fourth seed in his weight.  

He started the day by pinning Chris Tate of Kingsbury late in the third period of the quarterfinals in a time of 5:17.  In the semifinals, Moktani lost to Michael Cannon of Arlington by pin in the first period in 1:57.   Cannon is a three time state qualifier and took second at state last year.  

In the consolation bracket, Moktani fought his way back to the podium with a pin over Christipher Hicks of White Station in the third period to earn his first trip to state.  

Moktani faced the 3rd seeded Eric Becerra of Houston next. In a dog fight of evenly-matched wrestlers, Moktani won by close decision, 9-8, to win the bronze medal.

Senior Andrew Adams (126) came into the tournament as the fourth seed.  

Adams started the day much like his teammates by pinning Devin Grant of Kingsbury in the third period at 4:20. Following a loss he fought his way back to the podium, starting with a pin over Jordan Klines of Southwind and a huge pin over Andy Garcia, the number three seed.   

After falling behind in the score Adams was able to catch Garcia and pin him in the second period to claim the Cougars’ second bronze of the day.

Freshman Christian Perez (132) came into the tournament as a seven seed, not expected to medal.  Perez had other plans.  

After losing to Eli Byant (third seed) of Houston in the quarterfinals by pin, Perez went on a run.  

He pinned Justin Whitten of Cordova in 4:20 of the third period.   The consolation semifinals saw another Cougar upset. He pinned fourth-seeded Cameron Cook of Collierville in 5:49.  

Perez was the fifth Cougar to qualify for state and break the team record of four.

Senior Jalan Huffman (145) came into the tournament as the third seed.  He was able to hold on  to the third seed, but it wasn’t easy.

 Huffman won his quarterfinal match over Christian Flynn of Collierville with a pin in the third period.  In the semifinal Huffman lost to Tanner Spiecha of Houston, the second seed, by pin.

In the consolation semifinal againg three seed Trevor Watson of Germantown, Huffman pulled out another close match, 5-4, for the win and a trip to state.  In the third-fourth place match Huffman won by decision over Collierville’s Christian Flynn for Munford’s third Bronze on the day.

Senior Alex Strickland (152) came into the tournament as the third seed.  He lost in quarterfinals to Jeremy Poe of Arlington by decision, 4-1.  

He did not let that stop him from going to state with his teammates.  Much like his teammates, Strickland rallied in the consolation rounds.  He started off by pinning Jordan Williams of Memphis Central in the second period at 3:02.  

In the consolation semifinals, Strickland decisioned Tucker Spiecha of Houston, 5-3.  In the third-fourth place match Strickland avenged his earlier lost to Poe to win the Bronze.

Munford collected one gold, one silver, four bronzes and a fourth-place finish, not bad for a third year program.

David Cline is the team’s coach and Matt Bunches is his assistant.

Sophomore Gavin Haynes was the lone Brighton wrestler to advance to the state tournament.  

Much like his Cougar crosstown teammates, Haynes came into the tournament as a sixth seed, not expected to place.  

Haynes had lost to the top four wrestlers during the season.  The day didn’t start well, with Haynes losing to third-seeded Christian Sammons. Much like the Cougars, Haynes roared back in the consolation bracket.  

The run started with Haynes pinning Jalen Martin of Memphis Central. In the consolation semfinals Haynes pinned Brennan Cowan of Munford in the second period  at 2:45 to earn his first trip to state and break the five-year dought since Essex Ramsey qualified in 2014.  

In the medal third-fourth place match there was rematch of Haynes and Sammons.  Haynes stormed to an early 10-1 lead in the middle of the second period.  Sammons started a comeback in the third period and even had Haynes on his back, close to a pin.  Haynes was able to regain control and hold on to a 13-8 decision to earn his bronze medal.

The state meet begins today in Franklin.

Edited by Sommers
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 Saturday, February 16, 2019 48.0°F   overcast   Overcast
 
Cleveland Wrestlers Lock Up AAA State Title Again

Baylor, Signal Mountain Leading Close Races In D-II & A-AA Tournaments

Friday, February 15, 2019 - by John Hunt

The longest day of the traditional state wrestling tournament is now over and it’s time for the best to stand up and do their thing for all the marbles Saturday night.

There was a whole lot of action in all three divisions here at the Williamson County Agricultural Expo Park in Franklin and it’s really no surprise which teams are standing tall at the top of the list.

The defending AAA state champ Cleveland Blue Raiders have their title sewed up as they finished Friday’s rounds with 199.5 points and five in Saturday’s championship round.

The story is completely different in the Division II and A-AA battles as any of three or four teams could win those.

The top-ranked and unbeaten Baylor Red Raiders had an impressive showing in the championship semis and advanced seven of eight individuals to finish the day with 158 points.

Christian Brothers is a distant second with 134.5 while McCallie is a close third with 126.5.  Defending D-II champ Father Ryan is fourth with 123.

The Signal Mountain Eagles, who finished as State Duals runner-up a year ago before taking fourth in the traditional tournament, is currently leading the A-AA division with 126.5 points.  The Eagles brought nine entries and seven will medal, including four who advanced to the finals.

Pigeon Forge is second with 121 while Hixson is lurking in third with 115.5.  Greeneville is fourth with 101.5.

The only matches left are medal rounds, including the consolation semifinals first thing Saturday morning followed by the consolation finals for third and fifth places in all divisions.  The championship finals are set to begin at 5:30 (EST) on Saturday afternoon.

Baylor coach Ben Nelson chooses his words wisely and never gets overly excited when discussing his team and their most recent performance.  Such was again the case after Friday’s last match.

“We had a good evening, that’s for sure.  Advancing eight to the semifinals was successful and winning seven of those was impressive,” he began later by cell phone.

“I’ll certainly take it.  I’d like to complain about the ones who didn’t advance, but nobody would feel sorry for me.  But the key for us is staying focused on doing what it takes to win as individuals so we can achieve our team goal of winning another state title.

“That’s huge when there’s extra motivation to get every bonus point possible.  I know those other teams will score a lot of points in the consolation finals, so those bonus points we score might be the difference in winning and losing at the end of the day.  We just have to keep doing it,” he suggested.

Shane Turner is one of Baylor’s assistant coaches.  He’s thrilled to see his kids reap the benefits of a season of hard work and dedicated effort.

“Tonight was a great round for us as it seemed like we got bonus points in every match,” he began.

“I know there are some tough guys in the finals, but I feel like we have a shot in every one.  There were no real surprises today as we just showed up and did what we were supposed to do.  I’m just proud to be a small part of it,” he added.

Baylor’s seven finalists include Jackson Bond at 106, Noah Horst at 126, Garrison Dendy at 132, Andrew Pace at 145, Mason Reiniche at 170, Connor Duffy at 182 and David Harper at 195.

Kade Hartline (113), Ryan Tisdale (120), Jason Motley (152) and Barrett Chambers (160) are still in the medals for the Red Raiders.

The Cleveland Blue Raiders have been a most dominant team all season.  A one-point loss to Baylor in the finals of the Cleveland Duals is the only glitch on their record, but nobody’s come even close to beating them since.

Coach Joey Knox is like so many other coaches in that he wants every one of his kids to benefit from their hard work.  It’s heartbreaking for him when they come up short.  He was slap-dab worn out when Friday’s action ended, but he was also smiling from ear-to-ear with how his kids wrestled.

“I’m exhausted,” he said in an understatement of what most coaches are feeling at this moment.

“I think it’s sealed as we have a pretty good lead.  I can’t be upset with five finalists.  It’s simply not realistic to think about all of them advancing, but I just want the best for every one of these young men.

“Each kid had a game plan and I feel like they were executed pretty much as designed.  That was a heartbreaker for Wilson Benefield at 220, but that’s just the way the sport is at times,” he added.

Cleveland’s five finalists include Trae McDaniel at 106, Jackson Bradford at 113, Grant Lundy at 145, Austin Sweeney at 152 and Isaiah Perez at 195.  Logan Whiteside (132), Benefield and Titus Swafford (285) are still in the consolation medal rounds.

Signal Mountain didn’t meet their expectations at the Duals two weeks ago, but they’re trying to make up for it this weekend.  So far, everything has gone according to plan as four Eagles have advanced to the championship finals and three others are battling for consolation medals.

“We’re in a really tight race right now and a lot can change tomorrow, but it’s up to the kids at this point,” said Signal Mountain coach Joe Jellison following Friday’s matches.

“We’ve wrestled well today, but it’s still close.  We still need to win some big matches in those consolation rounds, but it’s all about who wants it the most.  My kids are certainly capable.  We just have to stay focused and motivated,” he added.

Those four in the finals include Caleb Uhorchuk at 106, Daniel Uhorchuk at 113, Kevin Muschel at 138 and Preston Worley at 152.  Consolation entries include Kale Albritton at 126, Sam Wickizer at 132 and Jake Woodlief at 160.

McCallie has five finalists in D-II, including Jack Braman at 113, Emory Taylor at 120, Nathan Wysong at 132, Alex Whitworth at 152 and Thomas Sell at 182.

Hixson has Trevor Lewis at 120 and Devotis McCurdy at 285.  Others include Walker Valley’s Jadon Langford at 285, Red Bank’s Caden Cline at 160, Whitwell’s Allen Ashworth at 182 and Notre Dame’s Cade Holloway at 113.

(Email John Hunt at [email protected]) 

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At the beginning of the 2018-19 school year, Missouri became the seventh state to fully sanction girls wrestling. The other six include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas and Washington....

https://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/20190215/commentary-girls-bracket-welcome-addition-for-state-wrestling

Commentary: Girls bracket welcome addition for state wrestling

Hickman’s Belle Harrell wrestles against Plattsburg’s Payge Fuller during the MSHSAA state wrestling tournament at Mizzou Arena on Friday. [Hunter Dyke/Tribune]

By Garrick Hodge / Columbia Daily Tribune

Posted Feb 15, 2019 at 10:06 PMUpdated
  
Before any matches started Thursday at Mizzou Arena, prep wrestlers had to report for weigh-ins.
That isn’t anything new or usually anything special to write about. Yet, it’s an important part of this column nonetheless.
Thursday was technically the beginning of the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s 89th state wrestling tournament. But it might be better served resetting the clock and celebrating a new anniversary.

The 2019 tournament has forever changed the state meet as we know it — and changed it for the better.
Over a three-day span, eight mats spread throughout the floor of Mizzou Arena featured a sanctioned girls state tournament bracket for the first time in Missouri history, in addition to the traditional boys tournament. The 144 qualified female wrestlers participating in this landmark event were determined to make every moment count.


“It was kinda humorous, for the first weigh-ins, I was told it was kind of like a red carpet event up there,” said MSHSAA Communications Director Jason West. “All the parents were taking pictures as the girls went in there with their hair in check.”


OK, reading between the lines, maybe some parents enjoyed the moment a little more than their kids. Regardless, Missouri wrestling fans will always remember the weekend they saw the state meet set a new, powerful precedent.
At the beginning of the 2018-19 school year, Missouri became the seventh state to fully sanction girls wrestling. The other six include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
Maybe this doesn’t seem like a big deal to some. But I can tell you, I’ve covered state wrestling tournaments in both North and South Dakota. Neither offers female wrestlers anything close to the recognition and spotlight this new format at the MSHSAA tournament does.

The main point being, female wrestlers having a session all to themselves for a few hours is a rare sight throughout the country. At least watching it unfold before our eyes gives hope that it’s gradually becoming less rare.
Just ask any participating female wrestler what it was like to be center stage in front of a decent crowd Friday night despite not-so-nice weather. I’d bet you’d get a very appreciative response.

“I think this tournament is amazing for the sport of wrestling,” Hickman coach Dan Pieper said. “It’s long overdue for these girls. Instead of only wrestling the males, they have an opportunity to get after each other. We’re always trying to grow the sport, and here’s a great example: We had 800 to 900 girls in the state of Missouri that came out for wrestling in its first year. What more can you say about how wrestling is growing than that?”

As Pieper said, in previous years if female wrestlers wanted a shot at the state tournament, they’d have to get there by competing against boys. Hickman’s Belle Harrell was one of those few females who fought her way to Mizzou Arena through the boys bracket, but now has an opportunity to wrestle her peers.

Harrell, who attended Macon High School last year, went 1-2 in the 2018 state tournament.
Now, Harrell, the clear favorite to win the girls 121-pound state championship, eyes a higher podium. It’s something well-deserved for the junior grappler who has been wrestling since the seventh grade.
“It’s really cool,” Harrell said of the girls tournament. “But really nerve-wrecking. There’s a little more people each night. I know Thursday, I was just a little nervous, and I was even more nervous (Friday). I don’t think I’ll be too nervous for my final, though.”


There’s also history on the line for the Kewpies standout Saturday. Harrell is one win away from being the first-ever Columbia-based female state champion. She may not appreciate the full significance of that quite yet, but as years pass it might be a cool bragging right to remember the legacy she’s leaving for future Columbia wrestlers.
“I think it would be pretty cool,” Harrell said very nonchalantly after winning her semifinal match. “I’d enjoy it.”
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Wilson Central's Michael Kramer finishes undefeated season with second state wrestling title

TOM KREAGER | NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN
8:37 p.m. MST Feb. 16, 2019
 

FRANKLIN — Michael Kramer ended his high school wrestling career in dominant fashion.

Kramer, a Wilson Central senior, capped an undefeated season Saturday with his second straight TSSAA title at 285 pounds.

Kramer pinned Walker Valley's Jadon Langford in 43 seconds to complete a 64-0 season, which included 56 pins and seven forfeits. He had just one win by decision this season.

He didn't give up a point at the state tournament and all five of his tourney pins came in 1:13 or less. Four of his five pins at the state tournament came in a minute or less, including one in 14 seconds.

Kramer was named the Class AAA Most Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament.

"I think he's just more dominant than anyone else," said Wilson Central coach John Kramer, Michael's father. "Besides one match, he never even got out of the first period all season.

"I don't know. He worked a lot harder this year than last."

Michael, who has signed with Lindenwood University in Missouri to wrestle, said he was focused during the state tournament.

"I just wanted to pin everyone as quick as I can," he said.

Kramer was one of 13 Nashville area boys wrestlers who won individual state titles among the three TSSAA classifications on Saturday. There were eight local winners in the girls division.

 

Kramer was one of three local winners at 285 pounds, joining Fairview's Jackson Clevenger and Brentwood Academy's Thomas Gore, a Georgia State football signee.

Gore needed overtime to beat Friendship Christian's Ryan Jackson 4-2 in the championship.

"First one to score wins," Gore said. "We both locked up and both were trying to throw each other. I got the upper hand and I got it."

 
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 Sunday, February 17, 2019 52.0°F   fog/mist   Fog/Mist
 
Baylor, Cleveland Claim State Wrestling Titles

Signal Mountain Finishes Second To Pigeon Forge In A-AA Competition

Saturday, February 16, 2019 - by John Hunt

The Cleveland Blue Raiders didn’t leave much room for doubt on the final day of the TSSAA Traditional State wrestling tournament at the Williamson County Agricultural Expo Park in Franklin Saturday.

While Cleveland breezed to their title by a 65.5 point margin over runner-up Wilson Central, the competition in the other two divisions was much closer.

Baylor had an outstanding day to win the Division II title with 207 points while arch-rival McCallie was second with 188.

The Signal Mountain Eagles had a slim lead going into Saturday’s medal rounds, but couldn’t hang on as Pigeon Forge came back to win the A-AA title with 166 points.  Signal Mountain was second with 148.5 while Hixson was fourth with 126.5.

Best Match honors in AAA went to the 113-pound clash where Cleveland's Jackson Bradford scored a 7-5 decision over Wilson Central's Thomas Borders.  Wilson Central heavyweight Michael Kramer was named Outstanding Wrestler after winning his second-straight state title with a first-minute pin.

Best Match in A-AA was the 120-pound final where Hixson's Trevor Lewis posted an 8-7 decision over Josh Parton of Pigeon Forge while Greeneville's 182-pound champ Trent Knight was the OW after winning his last match with a technical fall.

The 182-pound final between McCallie's Thomas Sell and Baylor's Connor Duffy was the Best Match in D-II after Sell prevailed in overtime while McCallie's 152-pound champ Alex Whitworth was the OW after getting a pin in the finals.

The Blue Raiders, by far the most dominant AAA team in the state since the first day of competition back in November, cruised to their second straight traditional title as they claimed four individual champions among their eight medalists and finished the three-day event with 233.5 points.

Wilson Central was a distant second with 168 points while Science Hill was third with 139.

The always proud Bradley Bears took fourth with 123.5 while Blackman rounded out the top five AAA teams with 111.5.

Cleveland coach Joey Knox could finally relax before the last round as his team had already wrapped up their second-straight traditional state title.

“It’s time to get back to work.  We’ll go back to the motel and rest a little, but we have practice tomorrow afternoon at 2,” he began his post-tournament comments half-joking and half-serious.

“I’m really happy for these kids as they’ve worked hard from the first day.  They all had a plan and it worked out just fine.  We were relaxed and ready to go, but they earned it and I couldn’t be more proud,” he added.

The championship finals began at 220 pounds, so the victorious had to wait a few minutes before Trae McDaniel wrapped up a perfect season at 39-0 with a 12-4 major decision over McGavock’s Chris Calvin.

Bradford followed with a 7-5 decision at 113 before Grant Lundy and Austin Sweeney added back-to-back titles for the Blue Raiders at 145 and 152 pounds, respectively.

Isaiah Perez was the last man to wrestle at 195 pounds and he had to settle for second after falling 5-3 to Clarksville’s Bradley Williams.

While Cleveland had the most individual winners with four in the AAA tournament, Arlington, Clarksville  and Tennessee High were the only other teams with more than one and they all had two each.

Tennessee’s two included Dillon Pendley at 138 and Dominic Fields at 160 while Arlington’s two included Michael Cannon at 120 and Austin Antcliffe at 182. Clarksville’s pair included Christian Isbell at 132 and Williams at 195.

Other individual champs included Brayden Palmer of Beech at 126, Science Hill’s Chase Diehl at 170, Brentwood’s Skylar Coffey at 220 and Wilson Central’s Michael Kramer at 285.

While Cleveland had five in the championship round with four winners, Logan Whiteside was third at 132.  Wilson Benefield and Titus Swafford both claimed fourth at 220 and 285 pounds, respectively.

D.J. Gibson was Bradley’s highest-placing individual as he was third at 195.  Ethan Wilson was fourth at 106 while Glen O’Daniel and Wesley Devaney were both sixth at 113 and 120, respectively, as the Bears didn’t have a finalist for the first time in many, many years.

Bradley coach Ben Smith was just pleased to have done as well as they did when nobody gave them much chance of being a contender in either tournament.

"We had a great second half of the season and I think we outkicked our coverage in the last three weeks," Smith said while driving back to Cleveland late Saturday night.

"We had great tournaments at the State Duals and at the region last week and I think we did well here this weekend.  We had a tough time winning the big matches and getting over the hump as Friday was as rough a day as I've experienced in this sport.

"That wasn't because we didn't fight hard and get after it, but we got a lot out of these kids in the last month.  Nobody gave us much of a chance to do anything, but we have a lot to build on and I can promise you that Bradley will be back before long," he concluded.

Jadon Langford was second at 285 for Walker Valley as the Mustangs finished 18th with 51 points. 

Cade Meeks was fifth at 170 and Jason Brumlow sixth at 195 as East Hamilton was 30th with 34.5.

Garrett Smith’s third-place finish at 220 helped Rhea County take 32nd with 32 points.

Ooltewah was 43rd with 23.5 while Soddy Daisy was 48th with 17 and McMinn County 65th with 6.5 points.

Baylor coach Ben Nelson has been preaching bonus points to his kids all season and just how important they can be in a close tournament.  The Red Raiders took that suggestion to heart, winning six of seven individual matches with five scoring extra points.

Noah Horst and Garrison Dendy both had pins in the finals with Dendy’s third-period fall over McCallie senior Nathan Wysong sealing the deal for the unbeaten Red Raiders.

Jackson Bond, Mason Reiniche and David Harper all had victories with major decisions while Andrew Pace had a regular decision.  Duffy suffered Baylor’s only loss in the finals and that was an overtime decision to McCallie's Sell.

Needless to say, Nelson was pleased with what he saw this weekend and particularly on championship Saturday.

“Saturday was a great day for us as I think we about maxed out,” Nelson said after all was said and done.

“We’ve been preaching bonus points all season and I think most of them reached their potential.  We won six of seven in the final round with the only loss being in overtime, so we gave it all we had.  The Sell kid is tough and we knew it would be a close match.

“But we took care of business like we intended to do and Garrison’s pin at 132 sealed the deal for us,” Nelson concluded.

McCallie coach Jake Yost had nothing but good things to say about his Blue Tornado team that kept closing the gap all season with Baylor.

McCallie finished second in both the Duals and Traditional tournament, so those guys have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

“We had a tough day on Friday as several matches didn’t go our way, but our guys responded well today,” Yost explained.

“We won nine of 10 matches in the consolation finals and four of five tonight in the championships, so winning 13 of 15 on the final day isn’t too shabby.  I thought we had a team good enough to win, but I knew we’d have to wrestle above our heads to beat Baylor.

“We had to settle for silver and not gold, but we have a lot to be proud of with the nationals at Lehigh next weekend,” Yost concluded.

McCallie’s four winners included Jack Braman at 113, Emory Taylor at 120, Whitworth at 152 and Sell at 182.

Wysong was second at 132 while Christian Morris, Zach Ward, Russell Barry and Riley Looper all finished third and Austin Gentil fourth.

Notre Dame’s Cade Holloway was the runner-up at 113 after losing an overtime decision to McCallie’s Braman.  Walker Valley’s Jadon Langford was second at 285 in AAA while Rhea’s Garrett Smith was third at 220.

Hixson’s Devotis McCurdy was second at 285 in the A-AA tournament while Red Bank’s Caden Cline and Whitwell’s Allen Ashworth were both second at 160 and 182, respectively.  Sequatchie’s Will Keener was third at 145 while Central’s Haiden Dill was fourth at 113.

Signal Mountain had four in the finals, but Daniel Uhorchuk was the only winner as he claimed the 113-pound title with a pin to wrap up a perfect season at 41-0.

Caleb Uhorchuk, Kevin Muschel and Preston Worley all finished second for the Eagles, but that wasn’t enough to hold off a Pigeon Forge team that had two champs among three finalists.

Hixson’s Trevor Lewis was the A-AA champ at 120.

(email John Hunt at [email protected]).

 

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Meet the TSSAA individual wrestling state champions in all four classifications

TOM KREAGER | NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN
1:01 p.m. MST Feb. 17, 2019
 

The TSSAA individual wrestling state championships were held Thursday-Saturday in Franklin.

Here are the individual state champions.
Bradley Williams of Clarksville drives Isaiah Perez of Cleveland to the mat during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.
 
Bradley Williams of Clarksville drives Isaiah Perez of Cleveland to the mat during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo …Show more 
 
GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

Class AAA

106 pounds: Trae McDaniel, Cleveland, def. Chris Calvin, McGavock, 12-4

113 pounds: Jackson Bradford, Cleveland, def. Thomas Borders, Wilson Central, 7-5

120 pounds: Michael Cannon, Arlington, def. Andrew Artilles, Collierville, 15-0.

126 pounds: Brayden Palmer, Beech, def. Braxton Mann, Science Hill, pin (1:55)

132 pounds: Christian Isbell, Clarksville, def. Luke Kerns, Arlington, 6-4

138 pounds: Dillon Pendley, Tennessee, def. Cameron Henderson, Smyrna, 7-3.

145 pounds: Grant Lundy, Cleveland, def. Alex Pergande, Wilson Central, 5-1

152 pounds: Austin Sweeney, Cleveland, def. Jeremiah Herron, Beech, 5-2

160 pounds: Dominic Fields, Tennessee, def. Josh Pietarila, Hardin Valley, 5-1

170 pounds: Chase Diehl, Science Hill, def. Landon Fowler, Blackman, 3-1

182 pounds: Austin Antcliffe, Arlington, def. Brooks Sacharczyk, Blackman, 6-1

195 pounds: Bradley Williams, Clarksville, def. Isaiah Perez, Cleveland, 5-3

220 pounds: Skylar Coffey, Brentwood, def. Logan McMillan, Rossview, 13-3

285 pounds: Michael Kramer, Wilson Central, def. Jadon Langford, Walker Valley, pin (43 seconds)

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Class A/AA 

106 pounds: Ty Holland, Harpeth, def. Caleb Uhorchuk, Signal Mountain, 8-5

113 pounds: Daniel Uhorchuk, Signal Mountain, def. Hunter Morrell, Elizabethton, pin (4:42)

120 pounds: Trevor Lewis, Hixson, def. Josh Parton, Pigeon Forge, 8-7

126 pounds: Kodiak Cannedy, Greeneville, def. Nathan Ford, Greenbrier, pin (3:56)

132 pounds: Dylan Becker, Harpeth, def. Riley Bennett, Fairview, 1-0

138 pounds: Jeffrey Gross, Forrest, def. Kevin Muschel, Signal Mountain, 4-3

145 pounds: Colby Dalon, Pigeon Forge, def. Preston Worley, Signal Mountain, pin (3:39)

152 pounds: Andrew Baiamonte, Pigeon Forge, def. Preston Worley, Signal Mountain, 7-3

160 pounds: Wesley McCoy, Forrest, def. Caden Cline, Red Bank, pin (1:55)

170 pounds: Nick McClendon, Forrest, def. Isaiah Brooks, Gibbs, 7-3

182 pounds: Trent Knight, Greeneville, def. Allen Ashworth, Whitwell, 15-0

195 pounds: Jonathan Morton, Elizabethton, def. Noah Hill, Forrest, pin (5:41)

220 pounds: Ethan Rainey, White House, def. Wes Miller, Nolensville, pin (3:37)

285 pounds: Jackson Clevenger, Fairview, def. Devotis McCurdy, Hixson, 1-0

Division II

106 pounds: Jackson Bond, Baylor, def. Keyveon Roller, CAK, 13-3

113 pounds: John Braman, McCallie, def. Cade Holloway, Notre Dame, 3-1

120 pounds: Emory Taylor, McCallie, def. Aiden Bowers, Christian Brothers, 13-1

126 pounds: Noah Horst, Baylor, def. Evan Anthony, Christian Brothers, pin (4:43)

132 pounds: Garrison Dendy, Baylor, def. Nathan Wysong, McCallie, pin (4:53)

138 pounds: Garrett Bowers, Christian Brothers, def. Houston Crouch, Father Ryan, pin (1:48)

145 pounds: Andrew Pace, Baylor, def. Jacorey Miller, Father Ryan, 8-6

152 pounds: James Whitworth, McCallie, def. Lawrence Madson, Father Ryan, pin (2:42)

160 pounds: Gavin Cagle, CAK, def. Elijah Hodge, Christian Brothers, 6-4

170 pounds: Mason Reiniche, Baylor, def. Parker Peterson, Father Ryan, 10-2

182 pounds: Thomas Sell, McCallie, def. Connor Duffy, Baylor, 7-6

195 pounds: David Harper, Baylor, def. Montana Doty, Christian Brothers, 10-2

220 pounds: Al Wooten, Christian Brothers, def. Dominic Fisher, MBA, 9-4

285 pounds: Thomas Gore, Brentwood Academy, def. Ryan Jackson, Friendship Christian, 4-2

Girls

103 pounds: Avery Kibelbelk, David Crockett, def. Elizabeth Raper, Cookeville, pin (5:49)

112 pounds: Kerra Strevel, Heritage, def. Bryce White, Cane Ridge, pin (3:32)

119 pounds: Isabella Badon, Daniel Boone, def. Tyesha Thomas, Elizabethton, 3-2

125 pounds: Robin Yunis, Rossview, def. Sonoma Davis, Sullivan East, 16-1

132 pounds: Emma Walker, Rossview, def. Tay Tay Payne, Dickson Co., pin (4:33)

140 pounds: Maura Hart, Cookeville, def. Saqara Buchanan, Rossview, 5-2

150 pounds: Vivian Hurn, Montgomery Central, def. Taylor Whitehurst, White House, 4-0

160 pounds: Kyelia Maxwell, Rossview, def. Caitlyn Gilmore, Sycamore, 3-1

170 pounds: Jane Allen, Tullahoma, def. Deyla Brito Perez, Northwest, 4-2

190 pounds: Catherine Palmieri, Northwest, def. Ariyanna Anderson, Creek Wood, 7-0

215 pounds: Valerie Smith, McGavock def. Novalee Feichko, Northwest, pin (45 seconds)

1:01 p.m. MST Feb. 17, 2019
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Make room on the mats: Girls wrestling comes to Franklin High School

AMELIA FERRELL KNISELY | NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN
5:00 a.m. MST Feb. 20, 2019
 
 
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ranklin High girls make school history
Girls wrestling comes to Franklin High School as sport grows in Williamson County Schools
SHELLEY MAYS

The gym is warm and feels almost like a sauna on a chilly February day. 

Inside, two teenage girls crouch down on the padded mats that cover nearly every inch of the floor. They assume the neutral position, their bodies facing each other as they raise their arms ahead of the fight.

They smile at each other.

Then, in a flash, their maroon Franklin High School T-shirts and black Asics gym shoes become indistinguishable as they artfully tumble across the mats.

Isabella Campbell wraps her left arm around the neck of Annalise Dodson, bringing her to mat and pinning her with a thud. Annalise rolls out from the pin and begins to spar again, and in a matter of minutes, she loses her hair tie, her long curls moving wildly along with her. She realizes her nose is bleeding from the fight.

"I'm OK!" she says.

Isabella Campbell, left, and Annalise Dodson are the first girls to wrestle for Franklin High School.
 
Isabella Campbell, left, and Annalise Dodson are the first girls to wrestle for Franklin High School.  
SHELLEY MAYS/THE TENNESSEAN

It's not obvious from the girls' continuous technical motions that they're still relatively new to the sport of wrestling.

Isabella and Annalise, both sophomores, began wrestling in November with no prior experience. They're the first girls to wrestle for Franklin High School, which boasts a historically successful all-boys wrestling program. The girls' inaugural season wrapped up earlier this month.

"Where they started and where they’ve ended up this year is just unbelievable," their coach, Tucker Cathey, said. "They went into their first match not knowing what to do, not knowing what to expect, and they came pretty close to qualifying for state in their first four or three months of being in the sport."

 

Girls wrestling has taken off in Tennessee, and according to Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, 366 girls from 92 schools with female wrestlers. Montgomery County has been a powerhouse in the sport, boasting multiple teams that have contended for state titles. 

There are now five high school girls wrestling teams in Williamson County: Fairview, Franklin, Independence, Page and Summit.

"It has grown in the five years that I have been district athletic director here in WCS," Jeremy Qualls said. "I hope to see every team have female representation in the coming years in a sport that has traditionally been fielded by the majority of male athletes."

Girls find a place on the mats

When Isabella and Annalise showed up for the first day of wrestling practice, they didn't know each other — or if anyone else — would be there.

They had contacted Cathey after hearing a morning announcement on how the school was looking to launch a girls program.

"What I tried to sell them on is that you’re going to make history as the first girl team competitors, so whatever you do, you’re going to set the standard for the next group of girls," he said. 

Isabella's dad, Russ Campbell, wrestled at Franklin, and encouraged her to take on the sport.

Annalise, admittedly the feistier of the two, came to the team in hopes of finally sparring with someone.

"There’s always been a little spark inside my heart that I want to do some type of combat sport," she said. "When I heard that they were going to start a girls wrestling team, I thought, 'hot dog!' I joined the team, and I met Bella. I was so surprised and happy there was another girl that wanted to join."

Annalise Dodson and Isabella Campbell practice in the Franklin High School gym on Feb. 13. They are the first girls wrestlers to compete for FHS.
 
Annalise Dodson and Isabella Campbell practice in the Franklin High School gym on Feb. 13. They are the first girls wrestlers to compete for FHS.  
SHELLEY MAYS/THE TENNESSEAN

Cathey, who coaches football at Franklin, had to learn how to coach girls who are less than half his size. This is his first year as part of the school's wrestling coaching staff.

"With boys you just kind of grab them and show them what to do," he said.

He brought in other coaches to help, along with his 30-deep boys team, who regularly showed the girls where to place their hands during spars.

"We all kind of coach each other," Cathey said. 

Every day after school, the girls spent two hours learning hand fighting, take downs, escapes, break downs and pins. 

"It’s like dancing, kind of, and I have two left feet," Annalise, 16, said.

Some of the technical skills came easier to 15-year-old Isabella, who had studied Brazilian jiu-jitsu for six years, but both girls quickly picked up the sport.

"I was just constantly asking questions about everything technique-wise and points and how refs count different techniques," Isabella said. "Once you wrap your mind around all of that, then it’s much easier to fully understand wrestling."

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Ivy Dodson, Annalise's mom, was wowed by her daughter's transformation throughout the season.

"All I knew was WWF back in the day with Hulk Hogan. I did not realize all the skills and moves and techniques that wrestling uses. I couldn’t believe that she used those and pinned someone so quickly," Ivy Dodson said. 

In less than two weeks, the girls found themselves at their first dual, which is when a school faces off against another school.

"I had butterflies the whole entire time," Isabella said. "I was so nervous."

Annalise hit the mats first.

"Even though I was in my own head and freaking out, I could tell the girl I was going up against was all scared too," she said. "I was just like, 'I have to be the alpha.'

"I bobbed her a little, knocked her over somehow and flipped her over," she continued, becoming excited. "She struggled and was pinned and that was the first one! I was super nervous, but it gave me a glimpse of what to do and what was yet to come."

Next up, Isabella was hungry for another win for her team.

"I ended up pinning the girl, and that was a huge milestone in this," Isabella said, and Annalise inserted, "In this roller coaster we call the wrestling system."

Isabella finished the season with a 9-10 record. Annalise finished 10-12.

'Yin and yang' teammates

The girls' personalities organically complement one another on and off the mat. They've bonded over practices, trips to tournaments and Sonic milkshakes in between.

"We’ve become good friends, which is crazy because I hadn’t talked to (Isabella) ever before the season started," Annalise said.

Isabella is quieter, a sweet spirit who pauses before she speaks. As a wrestler, she's laser-focused on technique.

Annalise wears her passion on her sleeve and grows excited when she talks about the sport. What you see is what you get with her.

Franklin High School wrestlers Annalise Dodson and Isabella Campbell practice in the school's gym on Feb. 13. "Bella is the technical one, and I'm the crazy one," Annalise said.
 
Franklin High School wrestlers Annalise Dodson and Isabella Campbell practice in the school's gym on Feb. 13. "Bella is the technical one, and I'm the … Show more 
 
SHELLEY MAYS/THE TENNESSEAN

"Bella is the technical one, and I'm the crazy one," Annalise said.

She pumps Isabella up, and Isabella helps her slow down and remember the sport's requirements.

"We're like yin and yang," Annalise said. "I'll be getting all aggressive, and I'll get the whole move wrong because I'm going (into) crazy mode. Bella will be like, 'Calm down for a second, take it slow.'"

Cathey recalled how at one event, Annalise hadn't won a match yet and was upset. Isabella went over film with her, encouraging her and talking her through the steps.

"After they talked she went out and won, and they hugged," he said. "It was the first time they had placed in a tournament, so it was really special to be a part of it."

Looking to launch a legacy 

Cathey and the girls want the team to expand next season.

Maybe the stereotype of wrestling being a "boys sport" keeps girls away, Annalise said. She hopes their appearances at tournaments help to change that, and her mom said that she has already inspired her two younger sisters to learn the sport.

Isabella hopes this is just the beginning for the school's girls wrestling team.

"I feel like if I come back in six or seven years, and we can come to practice and there are six or seven girls practicing and going hardcore with the guys, I'd just be so proud that we were able to start that."

Annalise smiled and said, “Oh my gosh, that’d be beautiful."


 

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Fairview High School Jackets wrestling medalist from the TSSAA Individuals Wrestling State Tournament held February 15 and 16, 2019, at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin, TN. (l to r) Coach Casey, Mario Pukl, two time State Champion Jacob Clevenger, Jackson Clevenger, Logan White, Riley Bennett, Blake Mitchell, and Coach Derrick.
 
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Fairview High School Jackets wrestling medalist from the TSSAA Individuals Wrestling State Tournament held February 15 and 16, 2019, at the Williamson County Expo Center … Show more 
 
MELISSA DELANO
 

Fairview’s Clevenger earns second state wrestling title


 

THE FAIRVIEW OBSERVER STAFF  |  NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN
9:45 a.m. MST Feb. 21, 2019
 
 Fairview senior Jackson Clevenger won his second straight wrestling title last weekend, leading a strong overall effort by the Yellow Jackets in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association wrestling tournament.
Clevenger defeated Hixson’s Caleb McCurdy 1-0 in the A/AA 285 Division final during the state individuals wrestling tournament at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin.

Fairview sophomore Riley Bennet took second in the 132-pound weight class after a second-place finish at 126 pounds last year.

Ten Jacket wrestlers attended the tournament. The following wrestlers medaled in their weight classes:

Logan White, placed third in 170.

Freshman Jacob Clevenger, finished fifth in 182.

Freshman Blake Mitchell, finished sixth, in 113.

Senior Mario Pukl, finished sixth, in 152.

Other Midstate wrestling success

Clevenger was one of 13 Nashville area boys wrestlers who won individual state titles among the three TSSAA classifications on Saturday. There were eight local winners in the girls division.

Clevenger was one of three local winners at 285 pounds, joining Wilson Central's Michael Kramer and Brentwood Academy's Thomas Gore.

9:45 a.m. MST Feb. 21, 2019

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

Pendley, Fields of Tennessee High nail down state titles in final prep wrestling matches

Brian Woodson | BHC Sports Editor

 

8 hrs ago


Rural Retreat Dusty Buck wrestles Tennessee High Dominic Fields

Earl Neikirk/BHC

 

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THS's Dillon Pendley works against Sullivan East Shane Hamelryck. Pendley won the match with a pin.

David Crigger/BHC

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. _ There is nothing quite like finishing a career on top.

Dillon Pendley and Dominic Fields know the feeling.

The Tennessee High senior duo captured state titles in their respective weight classes last Saturday at the TSSAA Class AAA state wrestling championships in Franklin.

“That was awesome, that was unreal, it was a dream come true,” said Pendley, who claimed the title in the 138-pound weight class. “I have been working for it since I was 5.”

Ditto for Fields, who repeated as a state champion, capturing the 160-pound weight class, one year after doing the same at 145, becoming the first Tennessee High wrestler to win a state crown since the program was started in 1972.

“It was crazy. It was a dream come true and to be like the first one ever at Tennessee High,” said Fields, who finished his career with more than 180 wins, along with two state titles and three regional crowns. “It was just that no one else had done it before me. I had grew up watching all the people before me, a lot of people got second.

“I was like ‘Dang, someone needs to take that last step.’”

Watching it all was Tim Marshall, who has led the Tennessee High wrestling team to success at the regional and state level over the last seven years, including the past five as head coach.

“Dillon started when he was like 5 years old. I think Dom was 6 or 7. When you are that age it is kind of hard to tell, but as the years went on, they competed through our wrestling club,” said Marshall, who first worked with Pendley and Fields as members of the Viking Wrestling Club, now known as the Bristol Wrestling Club. “They have won lots and lots of championships and matches and I knew it was going to be special once they finally got in high school.”

Definitely.

“Our program here at the high schools was mediocre and it took 6 or 7 years to get these guys through club,” Marshall said. “Once those kids started coming into the high school, the second year that we had all these kids on the club we won our region championship for the first time in 18 or 19 years.

“We repeated the next year and then we went down and placed second in the state. The next year we were third in the state. We went from nothing and nobody knew Tennessee High wrestling to competing every year.”

Pendley, who will attend the Naval Academy in the fall, finished his career with a school record 215 match wins over four seasons. He was also one of just four Tennessee High wrestlers to win four region titles. He placed third in the state as a junior and fourth as a sophomore.

All that was left was to finish on top.

“I knew it was about preparation. I had prepared pretty much my whole life for it,” Pendley said. “I knew I had to put in the work and it was just time to go out there and put it all out on the mat and that is what I did.

“It definitely wasn’t easy. I think the biggest part was being mentally prepared and taking this past week and really telling myself ‘I am the best’. I am not trying to be cocky, but when you put in that much work, it should pay off.”

It did. Pendley, who was seeded third in his weight class, rolled through his first three matches before defeating second seeded Job Dooley from Franklin 5-0 in the semifinals. Up next was Cameron Henderson from Smyrna, the defending champion and top-seeded wrestler at 138, who defeated Pendley in the semifinals the previous year.

“I think the final score was 7-3. I got up early 5-0 and had him on his back and got a 5-count for three points so that was huge early in the match,” Pendley said. “After that I just had to keep pushing and ended up on top.”

“That was great,” added Fields. “Seeing him in the practice room every day, being a captain on the team as well, he put so much work in. I am so happy it paid off for him.”

Marshall felt much the same.

“For me it was pretty good. Dillon was short last year and ended up third,” Marshall said. “He had a chance to come in this year and could have probably dropped down a weight class and been the favorite, but he chose to stay where he was.

“There were two kids that were ranked ahead of him all year long and he beat both of them on his way to the state championship. The one he beat in the finals was the one that knocked him into the consolation last year so a lot of revenge was involved there.

“He took the hard way and did it. It was a long time coming.”

Ditto for Fields, a surprise champion at 145 last year, who came into last weekend considered the favorite at 160. Fields plans to wrestle at Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands, Virginia, and will later transfer to Virginia Tech.

“This year I was the favorite. I went in a lot more confident this year than last year,” Fields said. “Last year I was like, ‘Yeah, I will go, I will try to place and it might happen or it might not.’ Then I ended up winning and that was crazy.

“This year I was like ‘Oh right, let’s go do it again’. Just know you can’t go anywhere from the top, you can’t go higher, you have got to repeat again.”

He did, making a smooth transition to a different weight class at the start of the season.

I felt comfortable in the weight class. I thought about cutting down at the start, but going into the season I was like I don’t want to have to focus too much on my weight,” Field said. “Focus less on the weight and more about the wrestling. That is the more important part. I can deal with the weight difference, it was not that much.”

He started fast and never let up in winning five matches, defeating Ryan Brown of Lebanon in the semifinals and Hardin Valley’s Josh Pietarila in the finals to claim another state title.

“Dom, obviously, was working super hard every day,” Pendley said. “Last year I think it kind of surprised all of us because he wasn’t ranked up there really high. He put in everything he needed to get it done. This year he was kind of expecting it, we were all expecting it, but he couldn’t mess up and he didn’t. It paid off for him.”

Marshall wasn’t surprised he did it again.

“Dom went up two weight classes. They talk about how hard it is to win one state championship and I think repeating is probably even harder because he had a target on his back,” Marshall said. “People were trying to knock off that state champion.

“It was a huge accomplishment. He was ranked number one all year long and it is a lot of pressure to go for three months and think about that. He handled it well.”

“I wasn’t so much surprised that I did it again,” added Fields. “It is such a good feeling for it to pay off, for all the work you have put in to pay off. I was expecting to win, but I knew something could happen. Just like the relief that I didn’t mess up something, that something didn’t happen, I didn’t get hurt. It felt great.”

Tennessee High also placed sixth as a team, not bad for a team with just eight of 14 weight classes filled.

“I don’t know if anybody has ever done any analysis on the efficiency, but since I have been coaching here we have never had a full team of 14 wrestlers,” Marshall said. “We always go down and compete.

“The year we were (state) runner-up, we had 10 and we are there competing. Just the fact that we take eight wrestlers and compete with teams that have 13 or 14 is a huge accomplishment.”

Senior Logan Ferguson placed at third at 152, while Marshall’s son, Gavin Hurley was one spot from placing in the top 6. Cooper Jenkins also won two of four matches. Freshman Perry Roller advanced to the second day of competition. Reece Nelson also participated for the Vikings.

Their contributions certainly weren’t lost on the champions.

“They are in there every day working just as hard as we are,” Pendley said. “Logan got third, he doesn’t get as much press as state champions, but he has been working really hard as well.”

Tennessee High has had wrestlers come close to state titles in the past, but always fell short. Some of those accomplishments can be found on the “Wall of Fame” in the basement of Viking Hall, several of whom were in Franklin to cheer on the Vikings.

That included Pendley’s brother, Dewey, Hurley’s brother, Corbin, along with Jeremy Spangler, Bryson Henley, Trent Nelson and Lexie Worley.

“Dewey came to me and I think he was kind of joking with me and Dom. He said, ‘Don’t get second, man, it sucks, do not get second place.’ I thought that was funny,” Pendley said. “They have made such a big impact on me personally.

“Watching them growing up, it just motivated me more. It is an individual sport, but it has a family aspect too. You want everybody to succeed in those aspects.”

Marshall definitely agrees.

“They came up with these guys. They wrestled with them for years,” Marshall said. “They were all part of starting our wrestling club and 7 or 8 of them showed up in Franklin to support these guys. It is amazing to see that, the togetherness. It is like a big family.”

That feeling will live on, long into the future.

“They are like my extended family. The wrestling part of it is great, but my first year coaching was their first year wrestling so I have grown as a coach as much as they have as wrestlers,” Marshall said. “We have spent probably more hours with each other on bus rides and car rides across the country. I know as much about these kids as I do my own.

“They are like extended family. I will be proud of them no matter what they do.”

Edited by Sommers
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Chattanooga Area Under Flood Warning; High Winds Expected Saturday Night
 Saturday, February 23, 2019 53.0°F   light drizzle fog/mist   Light Drizzle Fog/Mist

Sports

Pat Benson: Bradley And Cleveland Athletics Should Be Replicated In Hamilton

Saturday, February 23, 2019 - by Pat Benson
Pat Benson
Pat Benson

Bradley Central and Cleveland are no longer little brothers to Hamilton County Schools in sports, in fact they haven’t been for quite some time. I’m a product of the Hamilton County School System. My parents have taught in the school system for over 30 years, and my dad coached three sports for most of that time. I was a multi-year varsity letterman for Ooltewah High School basketball. But the truth of the matter is that Cleveland and Bradley County Schools have the right formula for sustained success in athletics, and Hamilton County Schools should replicate what has been working for our neighbors. Most specifically, Bradley Central and Cleveland. Walker Valley is always competitive and very respectable, but has not quite reached the same level of winning as its cohorts.

 
This is not an indictment of any one player, team, coach, athletic director, or school. Over the past few years, I’ve covered local sports and have had the pleasure of working with all the local actors in our community. Heck, I played sports with or against most of them and consider these folks to be family. The men and women who coach often get to school before the sun rises, leave long after the sun sets, and usually end up driving kids home after it all. When tragedy hits a kid’s family, ole coach is the first one to step up and help.

Nobody is questioning their dedication or sports acumen, but despite being such a sports-crazy city, we have been surpassed by our neighbors up 75-North.  The District 5-3A Basketball Tournament just wrapped up, and the Bradley Central girls cemented their 9th straight tournament title and have a district winning streak that would make Geno Auriemma’s eyes light up. On the boy’s side, either Bradley Central or Cleveland have won the regular season 10 out of the last 11 years.

The dominance extends beyond the hardwood, and on to the wrestling mat. Bradley Central and Cleveland have won a state championship 10 out of the last 11 seasons. Earlier this month Cleveland, Bradley Central, and Walker Valley all finished before any team from Hamilton County. It’s safe to assume that the Blue Raiders or Bears will only continue to add more hardware to their trophy room.

On the gridiron, Cleveland and Bradley Central were finally both placed in the same district as Ooltewah after redistricting two years ago. Since then, the Owls have been the only local team able to hold their own against our neighbors to the east. However, the facilities our kids have to use are not even comparable. Cleveland's field has state-of-the-art turf which is game-ready year-round. Ooltewah’s field is prone to flooding, and requires countless hours by their coaching staff and volunteers to make it playable. (A few weeks ago a proposal to make the press box at James N. Monroe Stadium safer was resoundingly panned).

In baseball it’s competitive between all the teams, and the only true advantage Hamilton County has in any of the major sports is Ooltewah softball. I don’t know the reason behind the overall disparity, but I would venture to guess that it begins at the lower levels and ends with how our sports are funded. Elementary and Middle School leagues are significantly longer and more serious compared to what we are offering through our school system.

Before the pious arguments like “school is for education, not sports” or “different sizes between school systems” begin, let me say that I believe we can walk and chew gum at the same time. Further research is certainly needed to give a better explanation for the difference in how the athletics departments are funded. In fact, we should even look at school systems around the state to try to replicate best practices.

I say all this not because I’m a huge Hamilton County homer, but because our kids are getting robbed of modern facilities and perhaps even reaching their full athletic potential. Do the right thing and pay the teachers, pay the coaches, invest in extracurricular activities (most notably sports) and make our school system a model for the rest of the state.

--

Pat Benson is a fixture at local high school sporting events. He has been a sideline reporter, P.A. announcer, and radio personality. Tweet him @Pat_Benson_Jr.

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  • 2 weeks later...
 

Buford wrestler Logan Ashton selected to Team USA for Dream Team Classic

  • From Staff Reports
  • Mar 5, 2019 Updated 22 hrs ago
    •  
Gwinnett girls find a league of their own at State Traditional Wrestling

Buford's Logan Ashton competes in this year's Georgia High School Wrestling Championships. (Photo: Cory Hancock)

Cory Hancock

Buford senior Logan Ashton has been selected to Team USA for the Dream Team Classic, scheduled for April 6 in Chicago.

Wrestling USA selects one senior wrestler in each weight class to wrestle for Team USA in the prestigious event.

Ashton, a Stanford signee, will compete for Team USA at 113 pounds. He finishes his high school career with a 184-11 record, two state championships, two state runner-up finishes and two National High School Coaches Association All-American honors. He is currently ranked fifth nationally in his weight class.

Area Under Flood Warning; Highhttps://www.gwinnettprepsports.com/schools/buford/buford-wrestler-logan-ashton-selected-to-team-usa-for-dream/article_9c6dffda-3f8c-11e9-9fd6-0b1000a4485d.html Winds Expect
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