Wrestling Updates and Tidbits...

[Sommers]

Big Congrats to Blackman wrestling coach Ronnie Bray who recently earned his 400th coaching career win.  What is it McMinnville, Ridgeway, Houston, Tullahoma and Blackman?

Anyway, it's been great seeing what you've accomplished, including wrestlers you've mentored on your team's since what, the early 60's  ...and even others from other teams through the years.

The Sommers were happy with your efforts involving two or three of our four boys.

Soms

More details... 

https://www.dnj.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dnj.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fhigh-school%2F2020%2F01%2F28%2Fnotebook-murfreesboro-area-football-standouts-commit-college%2F4585881002%2F

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The coach of Bradley's first State champion finally in....

Turner Jackson—Teacher, coach, and administrator for 41 years…served as head wrestling coach for 2 years at LakeView Fort Ogelthorpe High School before going to Bradley Central High School in 1979…has coached wrestling, cross country, track and field, and softball during his tenure at Bradley Central…served 20 years as athletic director…Retired in 2015, but still teaching wellness and serving as school’s athletic director on 100-day contract…TIAAA Athletic Director of the Year…Region 3 A. F. Bridges Athletic Director of the Year…member of National Wrestling, Greater Chattanooga Sports, Bradley Co. Old Timers, and UTC halls of fame…TN Sports Hall of Fame Athlete of the Year in 1976.

https://www.marshalltribune.com/story/2664958.html

Edited January 29, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Baylor, Cleveland 1 & 2 In State Duals Wrestling Poll

McCallie Sits At No. 5, While Bradley Ranked Seventh

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

 

Now in its 28th year, The Poll is primarily a measure of dual meet strength with some consideration to individual tournament strength.   Votes are cast by a state-wide panel of high school wrestling coaches and are based on a maximum Power Ranking of 168.

 

STATE POLL:

 

RANK	SCHOOL	POWER RANKING	LAST WEEK
1	BAYLOR	167	1
2	CLEVELAND	155	2
3	WILSON CENTRAL	134	3
4	CHRISTIAN BROTHERS	128	4
5	MCCALLIE	103	5
6	FATHER RYAN	98	6
7	BRADLEY CENTRAL	83	7
8	BLACKMAN	61	8
9	MBA	49	11
10	PIGEON FORGE	36	12
11	DOBYNS-BENNETT	20	NR
12	SCIENCE HILL	19	8

 

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: ARLINGTON, BRENTWOOD, INDEPENDENCE, OAKLAND, ROSSVIEW  

[Sommers]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Vols look to rebound against Mississippi State

 

 

Alcoa wrestlers celebrate seventh-straight regional title

• By Corey Roepken coreyr@thedailytimes.com
•  
  • 15 hrs ago
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Alcoa celebrates its seventh consecutive regional wrestling championship on Thursday at Upperman High School.

Courtesy Brian Gossett | Alcoa High School

 

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Early this season, Alcoa wrestling coach Brian Gossett wasn’t sure his team was going to reach the same level it had the six previous years when it won the regional championship.

The Tornadoes were struggling to get the athletes to the right weight and working to get the younger wrestlers to a competitive level.

By the time all was said and done at the Region 3-A/AA Championships on Thursday, Alcoa was back to top form. Fittingly, the Tornadoes rode a dominant effort to their seventh-straight title.

 

Alcoa defeated Cumberland County, Livingston Academy and host Upperman in the round-robin format by a combined score of 193-36.

 

The landslide victories are a long way from when the streak of regional titles began.

“The first couple were not lopsided,” Gossett said. “It takes you a little while to break through. Once you’re able to break through it kind of gets rolling. Lately they have been lopsided. A lot of that is credit to our kids and our coaches that we have been able to build something.”

Alcoa will be in the eight-team field at the state tournament Feb. 7 and 8 at the Williamson County Expo Center, just south of Nashville.

Like they did at the regional tournament, the Tornadoes will lean on seniors Kambell Brown, Ryan Wimbley, Tre Jones, Will Carter, Justin Kinder.

 

Though Alcoa had a big advantage by filling 12 of 14 weight classes, the seniors won at a high rate to keep the opposing teams from building momentum when they did have a chance to compete. In all, Gossett said, Alcoa lost only one contested bout in all three matches.

 

“We dominated the whole thing,” he said. “When you have five or six weight classes that when you roll them out there and there is a good chance you can get bonus points you’re going to do well.”

The Tornadoes last won a state tournament match in 2017. They placed third in 2015 and 2016.

They’ll once again have their work cut out for them, but they’ve already come a long way so the rest is icing on the cake.

“I don’t think we’ve wrestled our best, but when you get to the state tournament there are seven other teams trying to peak at the right time, too,” Gossett said. “We have as good a chance as the other seven. We’re going to compete and hopefully do well.”

 

 

Follow @RipSports on Twitter to get more from sports editor Corey Roepken.

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Corey Roepken

Sports Editor

Corey is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and spent six years at The Houston Chronicle before joining The Daily Times in the summer of 2018.

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Jeff Birchfield

1 / 4 Science Hill's Peyton Pridmore gets ready to lock up with Jefferson County's Levi Schrader in his semifinal win in the 160-pound weight class. The Hilltoppers defeated the Patriots 47-30 to earn a state tournament berth

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HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

Dobyns-Bennett edges Science Hill in Region 1-AAA wrestling duals

JEFF BIRCHFIELD • YESTERDAY AT 10:33 PM

jbirchfield@johnsoncitypress.com

 

 

DANDRIDGE — Dobyns-Bennett romped to wins in the heavier weight classes and then held off a Science Hill rally to win Thursday’s Region 1-AAA wrestling duals at Jefferson County’s Patriot Academy.

The Indians held a 21-point advantage after the matches from 160 pounds to heavyweight. It was enough for a 37-33 victory over the defending champion Hilltoppers.

“It came down to the efforts of all 14 of our wrestlers to compete to the best of their ability and we came out on top,” D-B coach Wesley Idlette said. “Our kids understood that every single point mattered. Even if you lost, was it by pin, by tech (fall), major (decision) or decision. They did a great job of giving everything they had and we came out victorious.”

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The Morrisette brothers, Tre and Clint, gave the Indians the early momentum and a 12-0 lead with a couple of quick pins at the 160- and 170-pound weight classes.

Liam Medina gave Science Hill a brief bounce-back with a 5-3 decision at 182. Eli Smith turned the momentum back in the Indians’ favor, rallying from a 7-1 deficit in the third period to take a 10-8 decision over the Hilltoppers’ Levi Grunder.

“Eli gave maximum effort. That’s what we preach to give everything you have on the mat,” Idlette said. “He made sure to empty everything on the mat and I’m extremely proud of him.”

A quick pin by Jesse Greer and a 9-2 decision for Caleb Burleson gave the Indians a 24-3 lead at the end of the upper weight classes.

Hayden Bobo looked to spark a Science Hill rally with a pinfall at 106. The teams split the next two matches as Dobyns-Bennett’s Gavin Armstrong and Science Hill’s Giovanni Demetrikopolos each won by pinfall.

It set up a showdown at 126 between two of the squad’s top grapplers — in which the Tribe’s Brennan Watkins scored a 16-6 major decision over the Hilltoppers’ Javelle Gillespie.

Tyler Seeley and Braxton Mann kept Science Hill in the fight with a couple of quick pins at 132 and 138.

Jackson Hurst clinched the match for the Indians with a 9-3 decision over Science Hill’s Jahkye Aples at 145.

“That last couple of seconds I was just watching out because he’s a big thrower,” Hurst said. “Once I realized I had stalled him out and got the win, it was good to be that guy for the team. It was a great feeling.”

Joseph Frye gave the Hilltoppers something to cheer about in the final match, winning by pinfall in 41 seconds.

Overall, Science Hill coach Jimmy Miller was proud of his young squad, which clinched a berth to the state tournament with a 47-30 win over host Jefferson County in the semifinals.

“We’re young in a lot of positions. We had a freshman at 195 and a freshman at heavyweight,” Miller said. “I couldn’t be more proud of our kids. It has been a gut-wrenching week, but the kids put it on the line for their team and I find no fault.

“We’re going back to state and there’s always a chance. Luckily, we were able to dispatch Jeff County and get through that match.”

Dobyns-Bennett reached the final with a 55-24 win over David Crockett in the semifinal round.

Third-place match

Jefferson County 40, David Crockett 28

The Pioneers jumped out to an early 16-0 lead, only to see Jefferson County rally to tie and eventually come all the way back for the win.

For Crockett, Teagan Waycaster scored a pin at 160, followed by decisions by Storm Johnson at 170 and John Bowman at 182. Damien Vance won a major decision 15-1 in the 195-pound class.

Andrew Branch won by forfeit at 113 and Nathaniel Holder earned a second-period pin at 132 to give the Pioneers a 28-26 lead heading into the final three matches.

The Patriots had two major decisions and a pin for the final score.

 

Edited February 1, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

 

 

 

 

 

Blackman wins region wrestling title; Oakland advances to state duals

CECIL JOYCE | MURFREESBORO DAILY NEWS JOURNAL

Updated 12 hours ago

 

 

For the second time in three years, both Blackman and Oakland have reached the TSSAA Class AAA State Dual Wrestling Championships.

Blackman captured the Region 5-AAA title with a 46-21 win over Oakland in the finals. Blackman earned a state berth with a 62-13 win over Warren County in the semifinals, while Oakland clinched the berth with a 45-33 win over Tullahoma in the semifinals. The Oakland match wasn't as close as the final score indicated; the Patriots forfeited the final five matches after clinching the win.

It's the fifth straight region title and seventh trip to the state tournament in nine seasons for Blackman. Oakland will compete at state for the second time in three seasons.

The state duals are Friday and Saturday at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin.

Blackman will face Sevier County at 3 p.m. Friday in the first round. Oakland, which is on the opposite side of the bracket, will take on Knoxville Halls at 3 p.m. in the first round. The quarterfinals are at 7 p.m. The semifinals and finals start at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Photos: Oakland, Blackman, Siegel wrestling tri-match

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Region 5-AAA wrestling tournament

SEMIFINALS

Blackman 62, Warren Co. 13

182: Issac Gillentine (WC) def. Julian Childress (B) (Fall 5:40); 195: Jaylan Hughes (B) def. Zach Parson (WC) (Fall 0:45); 220: Bowdy Boyce (B) def. Timothy Jerrigan (WC) (Fall 1:52); 285: Jayden Hemphill (B) def. Jeremiah Miller (WC) (Fall 1:04); 106: Grant Myers (B) def. Roberto Dodson (WC) (Fall 3:49); 113: Justin Bradford (B) def. Caleb Mack (WC) (TF 17-2 0:00); 120: Adam Tibitoski (B) won by forfeit; 126: Alex Rose (B) won by forfeit; 132: Adin Heathcott (B) def. Alan Esparza (WC) (Fall 1:42); 138: Justin Brown (B) def. Alec Smith (WC) (Fall 2:48); 145: Kalah Lusk (WC) def. Joshua Chew (B) (Dec 12-6); 152: Stephen Curtis (WC) def. Cole Hays (B) (MD 12-1); 160: David Wilkinson (B) def. Noah O'Shields (WC) (Dec 6-2); 170: Anthony Gomez (B) def. Conner Smith (WC) (Fall 0:35).

Oakland 45, Tullahoma 33

182: Charlie Carson (O) def. Hunter Parks (T) (Fall 4:15); 195: Jacob Crabill (O) def. Christian Jordan (T) (Fall 2:53); 220: Kameron Bingham (O) def. Jacquez Elliott (T) (Fall 1:06); 285: Peter Keating (O) def. Tydrell Mitchell (T) (Fall 2:19); 106: Brandon Bouma (O) won by forfeit; 113: Zacari Lillard (O) won by forfeit; 120: Hayden Malone (T) def. Chastain Stokes (O) (Dec. 6-5); 126; Tyler Vanderheyden (O) Caleb Adkins (T) (Dec. 4-0); 132: Jaxsen Nicuwimer (O) def. Dallen Nunley (T) (Fall 2:40); 138: Jerzy Hendrix (T) won by forfeit; 145: Landen Willett (T) won by forfeit; 152: Aaron Champion (T) won by forfeit; 160: Elijah Cowan (T) won by forfeit; 170: Trinton Parton (T) won by forfeit.

FINALS

Blackman 46, Oakland 21

195: Jaylan Hughes (B) def. Jacob Crabill (O) (Fall 2:35); 220: Bowdy Boyce (B) def. Kameron Bingnam (O) (Fall 1:44); 285: Peter Keating (O) won by forfeit; 106: Grant Myers (B) def. Brayden Bouma (O) (Fall 4:23); 113: Justin Bradford (B) def. Zacari Lillard (O) (Fall 2:32); 120: Chastain Stokes (O) def. Adam Tibitoski (B) (Dec 8-5); 126: Alex Rose (B) def. Tyler Vanderheyden (O) (Fall 2:25); 132: Mason Sells (B) def. Jaxsen Nicuwimer (O) (MD 11-3); 138: Justin Brown (B) def. Joe Bell (O) (Dec 7-1); 145: James Griffin (O) def. Joshua Chew (B) (MD 11-3); 152: Evan Harris (O) def. Cole Hays (B) (TF 17-2 0:00); 160: Ketwain Bowers (O) def. David Wilkinson (B) (Dec 8-2); 170: Anthony Gomez (B) def. Dejon Glaster (O) (Dec 13-12); 182: Brooks Sacharczyk (B) def. Devon Locklaxer (O) (Fall 0:38).

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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Hendersonville Press:

To Ryan Faithful...

Father Ryan High School will honor Sumner Countians Chris (McCann) and Bubba Donnelly for their and their families’ legacy of support of Catholic education at the school’s 41st Annual Legacy Gala on Feb. 22, in Nashville.

“We are honored by this recognition, and we are humbled,” Bubba Donnelly said.    “There is a long line of family members on both sides whom we represent - family that has left their mark on our community in timeless, important ways.  It’s a powerfully built foundation, and we aren’t going to be the ones to put a crack in it by not advancing our families’ legacy for the betterment of our entire community.”  

Chris’s family’s story sounds the same message of service.  “My mother was the president of the Ladies of Charity,” she said.  “She was always helping others, and we were involved – my siblings and I – whether it was gathering materials or delivering Christmas baskets.  It was what we did, and I saw early in my life how meaningful that service was for me.”  

Bubba Donnelly literally grew up alongside St. Henry, his parents and other relatives among the founding members of that parish, and attended St. Henry School before graduating from Father Ryan in 1969.  There he was an individual state championship wrestler on Father Ryan’s first state championship wrestling team.  He is now the CEO of Athens Distributing of Tennessee.

Chris Donnelly received her early Catholic education in Ohio and Pennsylvania before her family moved to Nashville and found a home in Madison at St. Joseph parish.  She attended St. Bernard Academy, graduating in 1970, with what she calls an abundance of lifetime friendships and an education from the Sisters of Mercy that inspired her own mercy and service. 

Edited February 4, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

 

• • WRESTLING -- WCHS returns to state dual

• • Feb 4, 2020 Updated 10 hrs
• Reported by Wilson Post &MainMain Street Preps
•  

https://www.mainstreetpreps.com/school/wrestling----wchs-returns-to-state-duals/article_8fa1eaac-477c-11ea-8a23-9320c378762c.html

 

1 of 4

 

Wilson Central's Hunter Borders, ranked No. 1 in the state at 113 pounds

• KARALINE SMITH, WCHS-SID

 

 

 

Wilson Central's 285-pounder Jessie Richardson 

• KARALINE SMITH, WCHS-SID

 

 

 

 

Nick Mercante, Wilson Central's 106-pound wrestler

• KARALINE SMITH, WCHS-SID

 

 

 

 

Levi Stone, Wilson Central's 152, is ranked No. 2 in the state

• KARALINE SMITH, WCHS-SID

 

Wildcats sports 25-0 record --

Wildcats sports 25-0 record --

On the heels of an eighth consecutive regional championship, Wilson Central's wrestling team heads to Franklin for the TSSAA Duals Wrestling Tournament with a perfect record of 25-0.

The No. 3-ranked Wildcats of Coach John Kramer are scheduled to take on Science Hill out of Johnson City in Friday's 3 p.m. first round match at the Williamson County Agricultural Expo Center.

Friday afternoon's winner will take on the winner of Heritage vs. Bradley Central in a 7 p.m. quarterfinal match.

Semifinal and championship matches will be held Saturday.

Other teams in Wilson Central's bracket include: Centennial, Germantown Houston, Knoxville Halls and Oakland.

The upper bracket features: Cleveland, Clarksville, Blackman, Sevier County, Arlington, Independence, Maryville and Dobyns Bennett.

Tournament details -- Admission is $10 for school-age children and older and are good for one day only. Tickets may be purchased at the gate or in advance at https://gofan.co/tssaa.  Parking is $5 per vehicle.

The Williamson County Agr. Expo Park is located at I-65 and Peytonsville Road (Exit 61).

Region champs -- Wilson Central defeated Rossview 37-34 and Clarksville 47-31 in the region tournament.

Hoping to avoid injury, the Wildcats forfeited the last three weight classes against Rossview and the last four against Clarksville.

https://www.mainstreetpreps.com/

__________________

 

 

Tullahoma News...

 

Headed back to state

• By Zach Birdsong Sports Editor
•  
  • Feb 4, 2020 Updated 7 hrs ago

 

Tullahoma's Divine Desilets locks in a hold on an Independence wrestler during the West Region Duals on Jan. 18. Desilets is one of three members of the Lady Wildcats who qualified for the TSSAA Individual State Tournament later this month. 

Staff Photo by Zach Birdsong

 

Three Lady Wildcats set for return trip to Franklin

Three returning state medalists will make a return trek to Franklin later this month as the Lady Wildcats saw three members earn seats into the TSSAA Individual State Wrestling Tournament.

Katy Champion, Destiny Shelton and Divine Desilets all qualified for the state tournament by placing in the top four at the West Region Tournament this past Saturday at Nolensville. All three state qualifiers medaled at state last year, with Champion taking third place, Shelton finishing fifth and Desilets nabbing sixth.

This year’s TSSAA Individual State Tournament will take place on Feb. 20-22 in Franklin at the Williamson County Agricultural Expo Center. Girls wrestling will take place on Feb. 21 and conclude on Feb. 22.

At the region tournament Saturday, Champion and Shelton each finished in second place for the Lady Wildcats. Desilets rounded out the state qualifiers with a third-place effort.

“It’s an absolute honor for them to qualify this year,” said THS Head Coach Jenna Morris. “The girls in our region alone grew by 62 percent. We had almost 200 wrestlers in the region tournament alone.”

Morris has been at the forefront, trying to grow the sport of girls wrestling. This year, the state duals will feature four girls wrestling teams, competing for a state title.

While the Lady Wildcats did not qualify for the state duals, their head coach helped make it possible to feature girls wrestling during the tournament. At the end of the region tournament on Saturday, Morris was named the West Region Coach of the Year.

“Well, I’m humbled that my fellow peers and coaches in my region think that I do a good job. It’s humbling. It’s exciting, but I really don’t know how to talk about me getting an award. It’s just exciting that people think that I do a good enough job to be deserving of that award.

“There are others who have, by far, helped build that platform. I’m not there alone. There are a handful of men in our region who I have grown to love and respect so much because they truly want what’s best for those girls. It’s not just something that I’ve done or I’m doing, they are also doing it as well.”

Shelton nabs second

In the 103-pound weight class, Shelton led off her tournament with a bye, before notching a win by pin in her first matchup. Shelton pinned Nolensville’s Elena Montpool with 47 seconds remaining in the second round.

In her quarterfinal matchup, Shelton once again followed that with a pin. This time, Shelton pinned Rossview’s Ava Teasley with 18 seconds left in the first period.

Destiny Shelton wraps up an Independence wrestler during a home match on Dec. 18. 

Staff Photo by Zach Birdsong

Shelton then narrowly squeaked by in her semifinal bout, locking her seat into the first-place match. In the semifinals, Shelton edged Independence’s Taylor Sullivan in a 7-6 decision.

In a tightly contested first-place bout, West Creek’s Ella-Lina Gonzalez eked out a win over Shelton. Gonzalez notched an 8-6 victory to take first place during the tournament.

“Destiny picked up that role of traveling anywhere and everywhere to get better this year,” Morris said. “She didn’t take a break and she’s really improved all year long. She dominated at 103. The only losses she went into the region tournament with were from girls who placed higher than her at the state tournament last year, with one of them being a returning a state champion and a returning third-place medalist.”

Champion takes second place

In the 150-pound division, Champion also made it to the first-place matchup, after opening her tournament with a first-round bye. She then followed that by pinning Antioch’s Jasmine Graves with 34 seconds left in the second round.

Champion followed that effort with a quick win in her quarterfinal bout. Champion pinned Summit’s Stephanie Demorest 27 seconds into the matchup.

 

Tullahoma's Katy Chapion takes down a Clarksville Northwest opponent on Jan. 18. 

Staff Photo by Zach Birdsong

During the semifinal bout, Champion added another win by pin. During that matchup, Champion pinned Clarksville Northwest’s Brette Spink with 16 seconds left in the third round in order to advance to the first-place matchup.

During the championship matchup, Montgomery Central’s Vivian Hurn notched an early win over Champion. Hurn pinned Champion 45 seconds into the opening period to claim first place.

“Katy Champion is a rare breed. Her last name is Champion for a reason,” Morris said. “She’s one of the most amazing people, not just kids that I’ve coached, but just people in general. I think her want to please and her willingness to do whatever God has set for her to do has a lot to do with her success.”

Desilets battles for third place

Due to an injury in the 119-pound weight class, Desilets received two byes, before taking part in any wrestling at the region tournament. In her quarterfinals matchup, Desilets was upended by Collierville’s Besty Nation in a 9-4 decision.

After losing her first match, Desilets was bounced to consolations, where she won three-straight matchups to ensure herself a spot into the state tournament. In her first consolation matchup, Desilets quickly pinned Independence’s Mylee Johnson, winning in 34 seconds.

Desilets then added another win by pin in her second consolation matchup. This time Desilets pinned St. Andrew’s-Sewanee’s Melanie Val 43 seconds into the second round.

In her next matchup, Desilets battled to the end with Rossview’s Sarah Collins as the two needed overtime to settle a winner. In that extra period, Desilets was able to notch an 8-7 decision win, as she locked her seat into the third-place matchup.

In that third-place bout, Desilets was able to notch a win, this time scoring a victory over Clarksville Northwest’s Roseanna Vaughn. Desliets pinned Vaughn with 24 seconds remaining in the second period.

“Divine got upset in that first round, which meant that if she lost one more match, she was out,” Morris said. “She did what she had to do when it came to the blood round. She faced a multiple returning state medalist in Sarah Collins and even though the match was ugly – very ugly – she pulled out a win.

“When Divine is on, she’s unstoppable. When she is on and she is ready, I don’t care who you put in front of her, she’s going to beat them. When she is in that right mentality, nobody is going to stop her.”

For more information on this year’s state tournament, visit tssaasports.com/sports/wrestling/.

Edited February 5, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

The Schedule...

TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships

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24 PHOTOS

8:46 p.m. CST Feb. 16, 2019

 

 

 

 

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Wrestlers compete during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

 

 

 

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Christian Isbell of Clarksville (lt) scores against Luke Kerns of Arlington during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

 

 

 

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Lawrence Madson of Father Ryan tries to escape James Whitworth of McCallie during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

 

 

 

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Christian Isbell of Clarksville is congratulated by his coach after defeating Luke Kerns of Arlington in the 132 pound weight class during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

 

Cameron Henderson of Smyrna drives Dillon Pendley of Tennessee High School into the mat during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

 

Jacorey Miller of Father Ryan tries to escape Andrew Pace of Baylor in their 145 pound match during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

 

 

Bradley Williams, left, of Clarksville wrestles Isaiah Perez of Cleveland during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

 

Bradley Williams of Clarksville gets a hug from his coach after winning his 195 pound match over Isaiah Perez of Cleveland during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

 

Landon Fowler of Blackman wrestles Chase Diehl of Science Hill during the TSSAA 2019 Wrestling State Championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in Franklin, Tenn.

GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN

 

 

When: Friday-Saturday

Where: Williamson County Ag Expo Center

How much: Tickets cost $10; Parking is $5

Class A/AA

Friday: Pigeon Forge (33-7) vs. Alcoa (21-9), 5 p.m.; Greenbrier (30-3) vs. Hixson (27-2), 5 p.m.; Greeneville vs. Fairview (34-6), 5 p.m.; Signal Mountain (17-3) vs. Nolensville (23-13), 5 p.m.; Pigeon Forge-Alcoa winner vs. Greenbrier-Hixson winner, 7 p.m.; Signal Mountain-Nolensville winner, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Pigeon Forge-Alcoa loser vs. Greenbrier-Hixson loser, 9 a.m.; Greeneville-Fairview loser vs. Signal Mountain-Nolensville loser, 9 a.m.; Losers bracket matches, 11 a.m.; Third-place match, 1 p.m.; Championship, 5:30 p.m.

Class AAA

Friday: Cleveland (20-1) vs. Clarksville (22-11), 3 p.m.; Blackman (26-2) vs. Sevier County (14-9), 3 p.m.; Arlington (20-6) vs. Independence (13-9), 3 p.m.; Maryville (21-5) vs. Dobyns Bennett (24-5), 3 p.m.; Centennial (30-6) vs. Houston (20-7), 3 p.m., Knoxville Halls (13-2) vs. Oakland (17-4), 3 p.m.; Heritage (17-3) vs. Bradley Central, 3 p.m.; Science Hill (25-6) vs. Wilson Central, 3 p.m.; Cleveland-Clarksville winner vs. Blackman-Sevier County winner, 7 p.m.; Arlington-Independence winner vs. Maryville-Dobyns-Bennett winner, 7 p.m.; Centennial-Houston winner vs. Knoxville Halls-Oakland winner, 7 p.m.; Heritage-Bradley Central winner vs. Science Hill-Wilson Central winner, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Cleveland-Clarksville loser vs. Blackman-Sevier County loser, 9 a.m.; Arlington-Independence loser vs. Maryville-Dobyns-Bennett loser, 9 a.m.; Centennial-Houston loser vs. Knoxville Halls-Oakland loser, 9 a.m.; Heritage-Bradley Central loser vs. Science Hill-Wilson Central loser, 9 a.m. Losers bracket matches, 11 a.m.; Winners bracket semifinals and losers bracket matches, 1 p.m.; Losers bracket semifinals, 3 p.m.; Championship and third-place match, 5:30 p.m.

Division II

Friday: Christian Brothers (16-1) vs. Chattanooga Christian (17-5), 5 p.m.; Brentwood Academy (22-10) vs. McCallie (9-2), 5 p.m.; Father Ryan (18-6) vs. MBA (15-5), 5 p.m.; BGA (13-8) vs. Baylor (14-3), 5 p.m.; Christian Brothers-Chattanooga Christian winner vs. Brentwood Academy-McCallie winner, 7 p.m.; Father Ryan-MBA winner vs. BGA-Baylor winner, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Christian Brothers-Chattanooga Christian loser vs. Brentwood Academy-McCallie loser, 9 a.m.; Father Ryan-MBA loser vs. BGA-Baylor loser, 9 a.m.; Losers bracket matches, 1 p.m.; Third-place match; Championship match, 5:30 p.m.

12:09 p.m. CST Feb. 6, 2020

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Lebanon Democrat...

Wildcat wrestlers have one unaccomplished goal remaining

• By THE LEBANON DEMOCRAT
• • 19 hrs ago

 

Wilson Central’s wrestling program has accomplished just about everything imaginable under coach John Kramer, including region and state individual championships at just about all levels.

About the only thing the Wildcats haven’t done is win the state duals.

They’ll take another crack at it this weekend at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin.

Wilson Central won its eighth straight dual region championship last weekend at WCHS by beating Rossview 37-34 and Clarksville 47-31 in the Region 6-AAA tournament. Kramer sat out some of his regulars with victory in hand to keep them healthy and give backups experience. The Wildcats, who went undefeated during the regular season for the first time, improved to 25-0 with the twin wins.

Central will face Science Hill (25-6) at 3 p.m. Friday with the winner catching the Heritage (17-3)-Bradley Central winner that night at 7 in the semifinals. Centennial (30-6), Houston (20-7), Halls (13-2) or Oakland (17-4) are possible semifinal opponents at 1 p.m. Saturday. Longtime nemesis Cleveland (20-1), Clarksville (22-11), Blackman (26-2), Arlington (20-6), Independence (13-9), Maryville (21-5) or Dobyns Bennett (24-5) await from the other bracket in the 5:30 p.m. finals.

Losers will play in a consolation bracket with the third-place match set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Cleveland beat Wilson Central in three straight state finals (2013-15). The Blue Raiders, at No. 2, are the only Division I team ranked ahead of No. 3 Central in Jeff Price’s poll released Monday. DII Baylor is ranked No. 1.

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The Chattanooga news-free press and times reports on hot bed regular season results and what's ahead in all divisions.

Featured here is Baylor's Hendersonville / Beach transfer and his impact...

Sports: Preps

Baylor senior wrestlers Barrett Chambers, Noah Horst focused on helping Red Raiders win another title at TSSAA state duals

February 6th, 2020 | by Patrick MacCoon

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / From left, Baylor seniors Barrett Chambers and Noah Horst hope to help their nationally ranked wrestling team win the TSSAA Division II state duals title this weekend in Franklin.

PHOTO GALLERY

Baylor senior wrestlers Barrett Chambers, Noah Horst focused on helping Red Raiders win another title at TSSAA state duals

 

 

 

 

View 5 Photos

Baylor heads into this weekend's state duals in Franklin as a heavy favorite to win its second straight Division II championship.

The Red Raiders will once again represent a high school wrestling program rich in history, with 24 TSSAA team state titles (10 duals, 14 traditional) and 117 individual state champions since 1971. This year's team is No. 48 in the InterMat Wrestling national rankings and has pummelled in-state competition, winning its dual meets by an average score of 55.3-13.7 while compiling a 14-3 record, with all three losses in a New Jersey tournament that included national powers.

That history of past and current success is its own source of motivation for the Red Raiders, who know championships are never guaranteed.We all have natural wrestling talents, but when you put that together with extremely hard work, there is no telling what you can accomplish," Baylor senior captain Barrett Chambers said after his team finished Thursday's practice with crunches and burpees.

"It is easy to just sit around and go through the motions at practice, but that's not what this team is about at all. Our coaches are too good. The school is too special and this program is too historic to do that. We have so much history here, and we have to live up to that. We are just a small speck on that great big shadow and hope to add to the history books."

State duals for all three classifications begin Friday at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center, with the finals set for Saturday evening.

Baylor is joined in the Division II field by Chattanooga Christian (17-5), McCallie (9-2), Battle Ground Academy (13-8), Brentwood Academy (22-10), Christian Brothers (16-1), Father Ryan (18-6) and Montgomery Bell Academy (15-5).

Hixson (27-2) and Signal Mountain (17-3) are championship contenders in Class A/AA, while Cleveland (20-1) and Bradley Central (18-5) will go for the Class AAA crown.

"Winning state titles doesn't just come with us getting new kids in from different parts of the state or others," said Baylor senior 132-pounder Noah Horst, who will look to become a four-time state champion in the traditional tournament later this month.

"Every single day there is a kid in here bleeding, vomiting or getting worn out by another teammate. Talent doesn't beat hard work. I challenge some of our younger kids and take it to them in practice. We have to bust our butts when we are in here for an hour and a half."

As two of four seniors on the team — Chase Radpour (145) and Connor Duffy (182) are the others — Horst's and Chambers' journeys have intertwined as they have wrestled together since elementary school, although Horst spent his first year of high school at Beech and was a state champion before transferring to Baylor.

Seeing each other succeed and become role models for younger teammates has been special for both.

"Everyone looks up to Noah, and you need people like that on a team," Chambers said. "When you can bring everyone together and rally around one another, that's what a team is about. The coaches can only say so much. At some point you have to lead by example."

Although injuries affected Chambers' freshman and sophomore seasons, coaches convinced him to stick with the sport. He has been a standout all season after making the leap from the 160-pound weight class to 220.

"I have seen Barrett get hurt and go through the struggle," Horst said. "Man, he has improved tremendously and has been fun to watch this year. Our goal every day is to get better together. There is no limit to how far we can go."

An accomplished coaching staff that includes Schaack Van Deusen, who has had a hand in every Baylor wrestling state championship, is another reason the Red Raiders will have another chance to add to their history of success.

"Our older guys have done such a great job bringing this team of younger guys along," said coach Ben Nelson, whose team has five returning state champions, four of them sophomores. "Once they see the banners and pictures on the wall, they realize they are wrestling for not only themselves but for everyone who has come before them at Baylor, too.

"This is the week where all their hard work is hopefully rewarded."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.

________________

Mt Juliet's 2x finalist Scott Seaman busy putting Hop-Town High back in the map with 4 in top 4 in a very tough region including Union Co...

Here's the seeds...

 106-4 1st year wrestler
132-6
152-3
160-2 possible State finalist, likely medalist
220-4 possible State top 4 and taking ACT same day to become eligible for West Point.

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 31°

 

Jeff Birchfield

1 / 5 Science Hill's Sydney Holt faces off with a Riverdale wrestler.

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HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

Girls wrestling continues to ascend on area and state levels

TANNER COOK • TODAY AT 11:00 AM

tcook@johnsoncitypress.com

It takes a different type of grit to want to wrestle. 

Walking out onto the mat and having no one else to back you up as you try to best your opponent is a daunting task, but a number of high school athletes embrace the challenge head on. 

Even some female athletes are involved for area teams like Dobyns-Bennett and Science Hill. 

“The great thing about wrestling is that across the board, there is no difference between girls and boys,” D-B head coach Wesley Idlette said. 

Sophomore Karstyn Kantu is the lone female wrestler for the Tribe and is in her first year of the sport. Idlette remarks that he has seen quite the improvement from her over the last few months.

“She’s great at listening and soaks up a lot of information,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of improvement from her in so many different areas like conditioning, technique and skill. She has a desire to come to work every day and that’s all you can ask for as a coach.

“I’ve coached girls in middle school before and I would really like to grow the sport of girls wrestling at D-B. We have a great area for wrestling with female programs like King (University) being so good and a lot of good coaches. It’s an exciting time to be involved with this program.”

The Science Hill program is a little bit ahead of the D-B program, having competed and won the first state-sanctioned girls tournament in 2015.

Jon Renner is the head coach of the Lady Hilltoppers and was instrumental in the TSSAA sanctioning girls wrestling. 

“It really all began in 2007 when Soddy Daisy and Red Bank did fundraising and helped start up programs in Tennessee,” Renner said. “Angela Haley at Clarksville Northwest and us at Science Hill put together a joint proposal and girls wrestling became sanctioned in the 2014-15 school year. 

“Tennessee was really at the forefront in pushing to get girls wrestling more exposure across the nation. We were the fourth state and now there are 30 states that are sanctioned.”

Before a sanctioned state tournament came about, the Lady ’Toppers won the invitational that acted as a state tourney five of the first six years and had some pretty outstanding wrestlers like Victoria Myers, Lexie Knolls and Brittney Reagan.

They were all state champions and Knolls even won the Tricia Saunders Award for Excellence. 

“I believe that we are using Title IX in girls wrestling for what it was intended to do,” Renner said. “We’ve seen the numbers across Middle Tennessee explode over the last few years. Just this year, there was a 62% rise in participation in the west regional tournament and a 20% rise in the eastern one.

“The skill level in the beginning was not good, but now it’s really hard to medal and the girls just have to go out there and wrestle.”

Science Hill qualified six of its nine entrants into the individual tournament on Feb. 20-22 in Franklin. 

Amongst those were Ella Rimer, Emma Wallen, Andrea Benitez-Alvarado, Olivia Gasteiger, Maggie Kite and Morgan Ratliff.

However, Renner’s bunch has the state duals coming up this weekend and believes his team can have a good showing.

“Clarksville-Rossview is the favorite, but it should still be a good tournament for us,” he said. “I think more and more colleges are starting to catch on that if they want to start or reboot a wrestling program that they can also start a women’s program — and that’s why we’re seeing a big boom.

“In the NCAA Division II and III this year, women’s wrestling is now considered an emerging sport, which is a huge step in getting it sanctioned across the board. That’s exciting to see.”

 

 

Edited February 7, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Chattanoogan summary...

Friday's State Duals Wrestling Results

Friday, February 7, 2020

AAA FIRST ROUND

CLEVELAND 48, CLARKSVILLE 27

(Match Began At 120 Pounds)

106 – Bentley Ellison (Clev) dec. Devin Lozdoski, 9-4;

113 – Arlo Laxton (Clev) pinned Niko Gottolick, 2:56;

120 – Jackson Bradford (Clev) pinned Jimmy Potter, 1:25;

126 – Aidan Brenot (Clark) pinned Jax Godfrey, 4:49;

132 – Trae McDaniel (Clev) pinned Aidan Johnson, 2:15;

138 – Christian Isbell (Clark) pinned Burns Meagher, 5:46;

145 – Garrett Stevenson (Clev) pinned Malachi Robison, 3:12;

152 – Cael Laxton (Clev) pinned Price Warfield, 3:21;

160 – Nate Schilling (Clev) pinned Trevor Stein, :26;

170 – Gabe Smith (Clark) pinned Zach Brezna, 5:20;

182 – Walter Harper (Clark) dec. Tetoe Boyd, 12-10 in overtime;

195 – Riley Harris (Clev) dec. Payton Ray, 7-5 in overtime;

220 – Ashton Davis (Clev) pinned Kyelar Edwards, :33;

285 – Jordan Kennedy (Clark) pinned Nick Nicodemis, 3:58.

BRADLEY 66, HERITAGE 12

(Match Began At 120 Pounds)

106 – Ethan Wilson (Brad) pinned Isaac Carpenter, 1:22;

113 – Easton Lipsey (Brad) pinned Anthony Beason, 3:34;

120 – Luke Belcher (Brad) pinned Zachary Teaster, 5:09;

126 – Taron Patterson (Brad) pinned Ryan Butler, 1:44;

132 – Hunter Davis (Her) pinned Gavin Hughes, 4:45;

138 – Seth Gregory (Brad) major dec. Thomas O’Connor, 16-2;

145 – Ben Stansberry (Brad) pinned Caleb O’Connor, 3:34;

152 – Anthony Lynn (Brad) pinned Ethan Owens, :31;

160 – Caleb Jeffers (Brad) major dec. Isaiah Fagg, 16-2;

170 – Knox Watson (Brad) pinned Ian Adkins, 1:21;

182 – Tyrone McDonald (Brad) pinned Ian Adkins, 1:05;

195 – Wade Casto (Her) won by forfeit;

220 – Gavin Sewell (Brad) major dec. Ronald Neff, 11-2;

285 – Austin McClure (Brad) pinned Joseph Vanada, 5:37.

CLASS AAA QUARTERFINALS

CLEVELAND 40, BLACKMAN 30

(Match Began At 126 Pounds)

106 – Grant Myers (B) won by forfeit;

113 – Justin Bradford (B) won by forfeit;

120 – Alex Rose (B) won by forfeit;

126 – Trae McDaniel (Clev) pinned Hugo Sanchez, :21;

132 – Mason Sells (B) dec. Charles Randall, 2-1;

138 – Justin Brown (B) dec. Burns Meagher, 9-4;

145 – Garrett Stevenson (Clev) pinned Jashua Chew, 2:40;

152 – Cael Laxton (Clev) pinned Cole Hays, 1:41;

160 – Nate Schilling (Clev) major dec. David Wilkinson, 16-7;

170 – Zach Brezna (Clev) pinned Anthony Gomez, 1:18;

182 – Brooks Sacharczyk (B) pinned Riley Harris, 3:15;

195 – Tetoe Boyd (Clev) dec. Jaylan Hughes, 5-3 in overtime;

220 – Ashton Davis (Clev) pinned Bowdy Boyce, 3:24;

285 – Nick Nicodemis (Clev) dec. Jayden Hemphill, 1-0.

WILSON CENTRAL 40, BRADLEY 30

(Match Began At 126 Pounds)

106 – Ethan Wilson (Brad) dec. Nicholas Mercante, 8-2;

113 – Thomas Borders (WC) pinned Easton Lipsey, 3:30;

120 – Luke Belcher (Brad) won by forfeit;

126 – Avery Warnock (WC) pinned Taron Patterson, 3:30;

132 – Riley Fort (WC) dec. Gavin Hughes, 4-2;

138 – Alan Fort (WC) major dec. Seth Gregory, 9-0;

145 – Steven Fisak (WC) pinned Ben Stansberry, 2:10;

152 – Levi Stone (WC) pinned Anthony Lynn, 1:24;

160 – Caleb Jeffers (Brad) pinned Anthony Pyron, 2:45;

170 – Knox Watson (Brad) dec. Brady Jarvis, 12-7;

182 – Tyrone McDonald (Brad) won by forfeit;

195 – Matthew Hills (WC) pinned Cody McDaniel, 5:00;

220 – Gavin Sewell (Brad) pinned Connor Staggs, 3:02;

285 – Jesse Richardson (WC) dec. Austin McClure, 5-0.

CLASS A-AA QUARTERFINALS

NOLENSVILLE 35, SIGNAL MOUNTAIN 32

(Match Began At 120 Pounds)

106 – Caleb Uhorchuk (SM) won by technical fall over Cole Dorsett;

113 – Noah Shriner (SM) won by forfeit;

120 – Daniel Uhorchuk (SM) pinned Trenton Baucom, 1:47;

126 – Riley Lippincott (N) pinned Eli Shriner, 5:24;

132 – Kale Albritton (SM) pinned Kayden Walker, :58;

138 – Jacob Vogelpohl (N) pinned Ahmed Aljack, 2:49;

145 – Brock Shipley (SM) dec. Sean Allen, 4-3;

152 – Gavin Channell (N) major dec. Clay Tallent, 13-2;

160 – Kevin Muschel (SM) dec. Alex Rhodes, 15-11;

170 – Preston Worley (SM) pinned Joshua Bryant, 2:53;

182 – Nathan Montpool (N) dec. Pearson Lindsey, 10-3;

195 – Bailey Black (N) won by forfeit;

220 – McKinley Wagner (N) major dec. Daniel Odom, 13-0;

285 – Parker Short (N) pinned Mason Hilke, 2:33.

HIXSON 46, GREENBRIER 24

(Match Started At 120 Pounds)

106 – Dalton Watson (G) dec. Chris Lagorio, 4-3;

113 – Jeff Bottoms (G) won by forfeit;

120 – Trevor Lewis (H) dec. Cole McCartney, 7-3;

126 – Vladimir Hollingshead (H) dec. Gabriel Matherly, 7-1;

132 – Jeremiah Shackleford (H) pinned Jackson Stults, :25;

138 – Nick Payne (G) dec. Caleb Miller, 10-4;

145 – Christopher Rogers (H) major dec. Brady Holt, 10-1;

152 – Kaleb Mayes (H) pinned Elliott Counasse, 2:46;

160 – Jonas Vandergriff (H) pinned Sterlin Martin, 1:31;

170 – Kobie Smith (H) pinned Brandon Felts, 3:18;

182 – Gavin Ledbetter (G) pinned Jaheem Culburson, 2:36;

195 – Riley Putman (G) pinned Sillas Minton, 1:02;

220 – Parrish Pacetti (H) pinned Danny Cortes, :41;

285 – Devotis McCurdy (H) pinned Kenni Li, :33.

CLASS A-AA SEMIFINALS

PIGEON FORGE 38, HIXSON 32

(Match Began At 126 Pounds)

106 – Hunter Gentry (PF) pinned Chris Lagorio, 4:42;

113 – Conner Leffew (Hix) dec. Andy Cable, 6-4;

120 – Caleb Gumlick (PF) major dec. Vladimir Hollingshead, 19-5;

126 – Trevor Lewis (Hix) dec. Noah Dyer, 5-1;

132 – Jeremiah Shackleford (Hix) won by technical fall over Colin Gray, 20-5;

138 – Josh Parton (PF) major dec. Caleb Miller, 12-1;

145 – Garrett Foreman (PF) pinned Christopher Rogers, 2:42;

152 – Colby Dalton (PF) pinned Ethan Salazar, 1:24;

160 – Kaleb Mayes (Hix) pinned Khumovn Sattorov, 3:13;

170 – Kobie Smith (Hix) pinned Jason Heth, 5:46;

182 – Joseph Skidmore (PF) pinned Jaheem Culburson, 1:19;

195 – Ethan Sutton (PF) pinned Logan Woodall, 3:59;

220 – Parrish Pacetti (Hix) dec. Caleb Wolfe, 4-0;

285 – Devotis McCurdy (Hix) pinned Mustafi Algarawi

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Kingsport Times...

PREP ROUNDUP

Tribe wrestlers romp into semifinals of state duals

FROM STAFF REPORTS • TODAY AT 3:33 AM

FRANKLIN — Dobyns-Bennett advanced to the semifinals in Friday’s TSSAA wrestling duals at the Williamson County Expo Center, but Science Hill lost in the first round to drop into the consolation bracket.

The Indians romped to a 51-19 win over Maryville in their opener.

Gavin Armstrong (113), Brennan Watkins (126), Jackson Hurst (145), Tre Morrisette (160), Clint Morrisette (170) and Caleb Burleson (285) all won by pinfall. Cannon Mullins (106), Shane Lemons (138) and Patrick Mitchell (152) won by major decision, while Eli Whitley (132) won a 9-5 decision.

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D-B followed it up with a 52-18 win over Arlington in the quarterfinals.

Cannon Mullins (106), Greyson Cunningham (120), Clint Morrisette (170), Aiden Rhoton (182) and Jessee Greer (220) all scored pinfalls. Brennan Watkins (126) picked up another six points, winning by forfeit. Jackson Hurst (145) and Tre Morrisette (160) earned major decisions for the Tribe and Gavin Armstrong (113) won a 7-0 decision.

The Tribe will face Cleveland on Saturday in the next round with the winner to advance to the state championship.

Science Hill lost 48-24 to Wilson Central in its opening match.

Jared Harter (170) and Kain Rogers (220) scored pins for the Hilltoppers. Science Hill won decisions with Javelle Gillespie (126), Tyler Seeley (132), Braxton Mann (138) and Joseph Frye (160).

The Hilltoppers will face Maryville Heritage in a consolation bracket match Saturday at 10 a.m.

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Chattanoogan recap...

PHOTOS: State Duals Wrestling Championships

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Caleb Jeffers of Bradley, left, wrestles Heritage's Isaiah Fagg at 160. Jeffers won by major decision 1-hto by Dennis No

 

 

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Baylor Wrestling Cruises Into Division II State Duals Championship Match

McCallie Falls By One Point In Heart-Breaking Semifinal Loss

Friday, February 7, 2020 - by Kevin Llewallyn

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Baylor wrestling team was all business Friday at the TSSAA Division II State Duals Wrestling Championship, advancing to the championship round with a dominant 63-7 victory over Montgomery Bell Academy in the semifinals at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin.

 

The Red Raiders won 12 of the 14 matches, nine coming by pins. They will take on Christian Brothers, who narrowly defeated McCallie 34-33, at 5:30 p.m.

 

“This team likes to goof around and have fun, but we told them before the match that’s fine, but we had a job to do, to take care of business,” said Baylor coach Ben Nelson. “It was a very workmanlike attitude; they went out there every match, everyone had their heads on straight and they took care of their business. We talk all the time about being responsible and finishing their jobs correctly. If they want to be good people and good citizens, they have to learn to finish their jobs correctly in life, too.”

 

With the match starting at 126 pounds, Baylor (16-3) took control right away with pins by Ryan Tisdale (126) and Noah Horst (132), both in under 30 seconds. Garrison Dendy (138) followed with a first period pin, putting the Red Raiders ahead 18-0.

 

Baylor wasn’t just dominant, they were efficient. Seven of their nine falls came in the first period, and five in 34 seconds or less: Connor Duffy (182) in 0:34, David Harper (195) in 0:14, Jackson Bond (113) in 0:30, and Nick Cordey (106) in 1:22. Omaury Alvarez (160) and Ronald Garriques (170) also won by fall in the third period.

 

It was nearly a repeat of last year’s all-Chattanooga final between Baylor and McCallie, but the Blue Tornado (10-3) came up one point short in a heart-breaking loss.

 

Leading 33-28 going into the final match at 120 pounds, defending state champion Jack Braman was pinned a minute into the first period, giving Christian Brothers (18-1) six points and the victory. The loss left the junior and his team stunned as they watched a joyous Purple Wave wash over the mat in celebration.

 

“I thought our kids did enough to win tonight, we just got caught in a position in the last match that was hard to get out of,” said McCallie coach Jake Yost. “We won eight matches to their six, and usually that’s enough to win a dual meet. In this situation it just didn’t. That’s just how it goes sometimes. I’m not frustrated; I’m sad for them because they fought hard. We had some kids come up big.”

 

“I feel bad for Jack because he’s a leader and does everything right. Sometimes you do everything right, and it doesn’t go your way. You just have to pick your head up and get back to work.”

 

After a technical fall victory by McCallie’s Emory Taylor (126) to start the match, the Blue Tornado lost four straight to fall into a 22-5 hole. McCallie clawed its way back with four consecutive wins, beginning with Frankie Zahrobsky at 160 pounds, and continuing with James Whitworth (170) with a technical fall, and Gavin Cagle (182) and Riley Looper (195), both winning by decision.

 

James Howard (285) got McCallie’s only pin of the match, and Kenneth Haney (106) followed with a 13-6 win. Freshman Nicholas Ridings gave the Blue Tornado the five-point advantage with a 9-1 major decision at 113 pounds before the final, decisive match.

 

McCallie’s loss puts them in the consolation bracket, where they will face the winner of Father Ryan and Montgomery Bell Academy at 1 p.m. Central time on Saturday.

 

Baylor and McCallie breezed through their quarterfinal matches earlier in the afternoon. The Red Raiders defeated Battle Ground Academy 75-6, while the Blue Tornado won 72-6 over Brentwood Academy.

 

Chattanooga Christian – who has never placed in the State Duals, but lost by one point last year to Memphis University School – was shut out 79-0 by Christian Brothers in the quarterfinals. Head coach Josh Craft hopes that they’ll use the experience as motivation instead of getting down on themselves.

 

“I told them they were going to take this loss one of two ways, that they would let it defeat them or that they would say, ‘Tomorrow I’m not going to let that happen again’,” Craft said. “I asked them to take this with them and tell themselves that’s what they need to do. If they got manhandled, they have to come back into the wrestling room with the mindset of that’s how they have to train.”

 

“We have a lot of first- and second-year wrestlers coming out here and battling, and I told them before the match that I didn’t want to see them shrink back, don’t act like you’re afraid. I think for the most part, they did that and tried to compete.”

 

The Chargers have come a long way from having just three wrestlers on the team four years ago, and are currently dealing with injuries to a few key wrestlers. Craft used several JV wrestlers in Friday’s match, and said he planned to be smart about putting athletes with even minor injuries on the mat on Saturday with the State Individual Tournament still to come.

 

CCS will take on Brentwood Academy at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the consolation bracket.

 

Division II Semifinals

 

Baylor 63, Montgomery Bell Academy 7

 

(Match Began At 126 Pounds)

 

106 – Nick Cordey (Baylor) pinned Henry Ribble, 1:22;

 

113 – Jackson Bond (Baylor) pinned Jake Frazier, 0:30;

 

120 – Kade Hartline (Baylor) dec. Mac Russ, 3-1;

 

126 – Ryan Tisdale (Baylor) pinned Conor Corby, 0:22;

 

132 – Noah Horst (Baylor) pinned Ethan Klindt, 0:25;

 

138 – Garrison Dendy (Baylor) pinned Adam Garfinkel, 1:25;

 

145 – Chase Radpour (Baylor) dec. Robby Barnes, 8-5;

 

152 – Dan McGuire (MBA) major dec. Anthony Mannella, 12-0;

 

160 – Omaury Alvarez (Baylor) pinned Rylan Schroeder, 5:10;

 

170 – Ronald Garriques (Baylor) pinned Zach Ricciardelli, 5:16;

 

182 – Connor Duffy (Baylor) pinned Mason Skeeters, 0:34;

 

195 – David Harper (Baylor) pinned Ramiz Barbic, 0:14;

 

220 – Barre Chambers (Baylor) dec. Gabe Fisher, 6-1;

 

285 – Joseph Moore (MBA) dec. Samuel Chritensen, 4-3.

 

 

Christian Brothers 34, McCallie 33

 

(Match Began At 126 Pounds)

 

106 – Kenneth Haney (McCallie) dec. Wills Bronson, 13-6;

 

113 – Nicholas Ridings (McCallie) major dec. Luis Ramos, 9-1;

 

120 – Dayne Dalrymple (Christian Brothers) pinned Jack Braman, 1:00;

 

126 – Emory Taylor (McCallie) technical fall Sam Lee, 21-6;

 

132 – Aidan Bowers (Christian Brothers) pinned Ian Herring, 0:34;

 

138 – Micah Douglass (Christian Brothers) pinned Clayton Kushman, 0:33;

 

145 – Evan Anthony (Christian Brothers) major dec. Rand Holtzclaw, 14-2;

 

152 – Garrett Bowers (Christian Brothers) won by forfeit;

 

160 – Frankie Zahrobsky (McCallie) major dec. Foster Salvaggio, 12-3;

 

170 – James Whitworth (McCallie) technical fall Cameron Cavins, 16-0;

 

182 – Gavin Cagle (McCallie) dec. Gervacio Gonzalez, 8-4;

 

195 – Riley Looper (McCallie) dec. Connor Billingsley, 4-3;

 

220 – Al Wooten (Christian Brothers) pinned Adam Smith, 0:48;

 

285 – James Howard (McCallie) pinned Gabriel Croom, 0:50;

 

Division II First Round

 

Baylor 75, Battle Ground Academy 6

 

(Match Began At 120 Pounds)

 

106 – Nick Cordey (Baylor) won by forfeit;

 

113 – Jackson Bond (Baylor) won by forfeit;

 

120 – Kade Hartline (Baylor) pinned Will Snead, 0:50;

 

126 – Jacob Weekley (Baylor) won by forfeit;

 

132 – Noah Horst (Baylor) won by forfeit;

 

138 – Garrison Dendy (Baylor) pinned Orrin Krebs, 1:42;

 

145 – Chase Radpour (Baylor) pinned Luke Sutherland, 0:41;

 

152 – Kevin Dennis (BGA) pinned Bryce Waldrep, 5:59;

 

160 – Omaury Alvarez (Baylor) dec. Jack Revere, 13-7;

 

170 – Ronald Garriques (Baylor) pinned Miller Barnett, 5:33;

 

182 – Connor Duffy (Baylor) pinned Max Sale, 1:07;

 

195 – David Harper (Baylor) pinned Iman Lohrasbi, 0:48;

 

220 – Barre Chambers (Baylor) pinned Campbell Slaughter, 0:17;

 

285 – Samuel Chritensen (Baylor) pinned Lane Sutherland, 1:33.

 

 

McCallie 72, Brentwood Academy 6

 

(Match Began At 120 Pounds)

 

106 – Kenneth Haney (McCallie) won by forfeit;

 

113 – Charles McTorry (Brentwood Academy) dec. Nicholas Ridings, 9-6;

 

120 – Jack Braman (McCallie) won by forfeit;

 

126 – Emory Taylor (McCallie) pinned Colby Jones, 1:25;

 

132 – Ian Herring (McCallie) pinned Luke Wells, 0:53;

 

138 – Riley Clark (Brentwood Academy) dec. Lance Ward, 8-3;

 

145 – Rand Holtzclaw (McCallie) pinned Quinn Rosenbaugh, 0:53;

 

152 – Frankie Zahrobsky (McCallie) pinned Campbell Smith, 0:22;

 

160 – James Whitworth (McCallie) pinned Grant Clark, 2:22;

 

170 – Gavin Cagle pinned David Greene, 3:18;

 

182 – Riley Looper pinned Luke Washburn, 3:25;

 

195 – Coen Campbell (McCallie) pinned Ben Atchley, 1:49;

 

220 – Adam Smith (McCallie) pinned Spencer Lanyon, 0:44;

 

285 – James Howard (McCallie) pinned Christopher Messer, 0:23.

Christian Brothers 79, Chattanooga Christian 0

 

(Match Began At 120 Pounds)

 

106 – Wills Bronson (Christian Brothers) major dec. AJ Jolly, 14-2;

 

113 – Luis Ramos (Christian Brothers) pinned Tyler Haga, 1:35;

 

120 – Dayne Dalrymple (Christian Brothers) pinned Evan Rominger, 1:12;

 

126 – Sam Lee (Christian Brothers) pinned Eli Sutherland, 3:19;

 

132 – Aidan Bowers (Christian Brothers) pinned Terrell Travis, 1:27;

 

138 – Micah Douglass (Christian Brothers) pinned Cooper Kay, 1:19;

 

145 – Evan Anthony (Christian Brothers) pinned Josh Willing, 0:42;

 

152 – Garrett Bowers (Christian Brothers) pinned Andrew Adams, 1:05;

 

160 – Cameron Cavins (Christian Brothers) pinned Kaleb Bonastia, 1:57;

 

170 – Gervacio Gonzalez (Christian Brothers) dec. Conrad Bamgarner, 12-5;

 

182 – Theo Sewell (Christian Brothers) pinned Kaleb Cooper, 1:20;

 

195 – Connor Billingsley (Christian Brothers) pinned Jacob Barham, 0:37;

 

220 – Al Wooten (Christia Brothers) pinned Sawyer White, 0:46;

 

285 – Gabriel Croom (Christian Brothers) pinned Aiden Kennedy, 3:30.

 

(E-mail Kevin Llewallyn at kevin.llewallyn@gmail.com)

 

Free-Press...

Baylor and Cleveland look to ride to TSSAA wrestling duals championships again

February 7th, 2020 | by Patrick MacCoon

 Baylor and Cleveland took home the top hardware last season on the wrestling mats and look to do so again.

The Red Raiders and Blue Raiders are alive in the TSSAA Division II and Class AAA state duals championship hunts heading into the final day of competition in Franklin.

Sophomore David Harper and senior Barrett Chambers were full-blast for Baylor, as they registered the two quickest pins of a tournament consisting of three classifications and 24 matches on Friday.

Harper, who is ranked 17th in the country at 195 pounds by InterMat, stuck his Montgomery Bell Academy opponent in just 14 seconds to help lead a dominant 63-7 semifinals victory. Chambers flattened his opponent in 17 seconds to fuel a 75-6 win over Battle Ground Academy in the quarterfinals.

Baylor (15-3) will take on Christian Brothers (21-1) in the Division II finals at 6:30 EST Saturday inside the Williamson County Ag Expo Center. It was nearly a local championship showdown as McCallie fell 34-33 in the semifinals to Christian Brothers, the Memphis school winning on a match-ending pin.

Cleveland (22-1) will take on Dobyns-Bennett (26-5) in the AAA semifinals at 2 EST, and the winner will face either Centennial (32-6) or Wilson Central in the 6:30 finals.

The Blue Raiders handled Clarksville, 48-27, in the first round and followed with a 40-30 victory over Blackman in the quarterfinals while forfeiting the final three matches. Trae McDaniel (132), Garrett Stevenson (145), Cael Laxton (152) and Ahston Davis (220) each won both of their matches on the day with pins.

Hixson and Signal Mountain saw their Class A/AA title hopes slip away.

Signal's Eagles (17-4) fell to Nolensville 35-32 in the opening quarterfinal round. The Wildcats (28-3) lost in the semifinals to reigning state champion Pigeon Forge, 38-32.

Hixson's Jeremiah Shackleford (132) was a bruiser as he won his quarterfinal match against Greenbrier in 25 seconds and won 20-5 in the semifinals. The Wildcats also received a pair of first-round pins from Devotis McCurdy (285).

Signal Mountain's Caleb Uhorchuk (106) and McCallie's Alex Whitworth (170) both had impressive shutouts, winning matches by 15 and 16 points, respectively.

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

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from news channel 9 in Chattanooga...

Cleveland and Bradley Central gunning for another state wrestling championship

by John Madewell

Cleveland starts its quest to "three-peat" in the wrestling state duals. The Blue Raiders won in 2018 and 2019. PHOTO: WTVC SPORTS.

 

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — 

The Tennessee High School Wrestling Championships are underway in Franklin. The state duals are on the docket this weekend. The two favorites in AAA are only a few short miles apart. Of course, that would be perennial powers Bradley Central and Cleveland.

On Friday, 16 AAA schools took to the mats at 4:00 EST at the Williamson County Ag Expo. Cleveland and Bradley feel good about their chances of bringing back another trophy. Bradley Central Bears head coach Ben Smith told NewsChannel 9, "Usually, the state title here runs through Bradley County. Cleveland's on the top side. We're on the bottom side. They've got a pretty good draw. We've got a good draw I think. If we do what we're supposed to do, I think we can be in the finals and see if it can be a Bradley County finals."

Bradley's ranked number two.

Cleveland is number one.

The Blue Raiders see a couple of tough challengers but consider Bradley the biggest threat. However, Cleveland handled the Bears in the regions. Cleveland coach Joey Knox said this about his wrestlers, "They know, they're confident. They put the time in, the work in, they've done the right things. They've checked all the boxes, so now it's just about cashing the check I guess."

If Cleveland wins the state duals this year, it'll be a three-peat for the Blue Raiders. That means a lot to wrestlers such as sophomore Ashton Davis. "That was a cool experience. Everybody else on the team had already been through it and I was just a freshman. I was the only freshman on the starting lineup. It was cool for me experiencing that and now that I'm one of the returning guys, I get to show these freshmen what it's all about, it's really cool," Davis said.

Knox added, "They know, they get excited, they joke about it. We're going to get our three-peat. I have to make sure they stay focused. We still gotta come in and take care of business."

Then, there's the history. Bradley has 14 state dual championships. Cleveland has eight. The Blue Raiders have been on a roll of late, but Bradley feels confident as well. "If we're here, we're usually here to win it. It's just a Bradley mindset," coach Smith said.

Cleveland has its own way of taking the mat. Knox talked about what "defines" a Cleveland wrestler. "A Cleveland wrestler always hustles back to the center. A Cleveland wrestler always is on point. always accountable, always on time."

And Saturday night a championship team will be crowned. We shall see if Cleveland or Bradley takes another one,

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The Greenville Sun...

DUAL WRESTLING STATE TOURNAMENT

Greene Devil Wrestlers Making 8th Straight Trip To State

• By Tate Russell Assistant Sport Editor
•  
  • Feb 6, 2020
  •  
    •  

 

Greeneville’s LeAndre Dabney (right) squares up Hixson’s Conner Leffew during the Greeneville Invitational Tournament.

Sun Photo By Tate Russell

•  

The Greeneville wrestling team is making its eighth straight trip to the Class A/2A Dual Wrestling State Tournament on Friday looking to better its third-place finish from a year ago.

The Devils will open the state tournament against Fairview at 5 p.m. CT at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin.

“After two straight weeks of wrestling each other, I think we are ready to get down there and see somebody else,” Greeneville coach Randy Shelton said. “We had a chance to take a couple of days off, and hopefully we avoided the sickness going around. The kids are healthy, they have trained well and they are ready to go to state and see what we can do.”

The Greene Devils had a chance to see Fairview three weeks ago when the Yellow Jackets came to town for the Greeneville Invitational Tournament. Fairview came in second in the tournament and Greeneville was third, but the Devils were without some top wrestlers due to illness. The teams only had two head-to-head matchups in the GIT, and they split them.

“Fairview came to the GIT and had a really good tournament,” Shelton said. “They are going to be a tough team. We have to go down there with the attitude that we are on a business trip. We are not going to see the sites. We have to lean on our leadership and stay focused.”

Greeneville’s side of the bracket includes Signal Mountain and Nolensville as well. Shelton feels like all four teams are evenly matched, and that any of them could end up wrestling for a state championship on Saturday.

Because they are so even, the Devils’ coaches have stressed the importance of every point, and that pulling off a late pin or avoiding getting pinned could make a big impact in the final outcome.

“One thing I always preach is to just do your job. You just have to win one time for the team to have success,” Shelton said. “This is an incredibly tough field and I think there are six teams that could realistically win the whole thing. These kids have to understand every match matters, then I have to do a good job scheming to make sure we have the right matchups. We can’t give up bonus points, and we have to try to get bonus points.”

On the opposite side of the bracket are Alcoa, Pigeon Forge, Hixson and Greenbrier. Pigeon Forge is the defending state champion and Hixson won the Greeneville Invitational three weeks ago.

Since defeating Elizabethton for the Region 1-A/2A championship two weeks ago, the Devils have had a chance to get healthy and Shelton hopes his squad is in top form heading to Franklin.

 

While Greeneville has been in the dual state tournament each of the past eight years, the Devils are taking a young squad to Franklin this year and will count on several freshmen and sophomores to score points. Because of that the Devils with experience in Franklin will become even more important.

Shelton is really proud of what senior Isaac Haynie has done this season while sophomores LeAndre Dabney and Kodiak Cannedy have been in important dual and individual state tournament matches.

“A lot these kids haven’t had to wrestle two days in row while staying away from home. There are things like managing weight and diet for two days when you are in a strange place that are new,” Shelton said. “That makes good leadership so important. Kodiak and LeAndre are sophomores, but they have a ton of experience. Isaac has been on a mission for the last month and is doing good things. We have to lean on those guys.”

Every team in the tournament will have guys at the top of the lineup that can be counted on, but often the difference comes when some of those other guys step up. Greeneville feels like it has a few poised to step up this weekend.

“In our class, everybody is going to have six or seven wrestlers they feel good about, and a lot times it comes down to those six or seven other guys,” Shelton said. “You’re trying to bring those newer kids up to a state level at this point in the year, and the team that can do that best will have a great state duals.

“We just Kameron Hensley down to 220 pounds and he is expecting to have a good weekend. Spencer Schofield and Morgan Lowery are two more guys that I think can make a difference.”

Edited February 8, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Murfreesboro Post...

Blackman wrestling team finishes fourth at state duals

• JEFF NEAL jeffneal07@yahoo.com
•  
  • 2 hrs ago
  •  
    •  

 

1 of 8

 

Blackman’s Justin Bradford picks up and drives his opponent to the mat. ETHAN SCOTT

 

 

 

 

Oakland’s Tyler Vanderheyden grabs his opponent and quickly flips him over on to the mat to go for the pin. ETHAN SCOTT

 

 

 

 

 

Blackman’s Bowdy Boyce makes a move as he reaches out to grab the left leg of his opponent. ETHAN SCOTT

 

 

 

 

 

Blackman’s Jayden Hemphill shoves the head of the opposing wrestler down before flipping him on to his back. ETHAN SCOTT

 

 

 

 

 

Blackman’s Brooks Sacharczyk dives as he makes a move to grab the leg of his opponent. ETHAN SCOTT

 

 

 

 

 

Oakland’s Tivon Panyavong is picked up and slammed hard down on the mat. ETHAN SCOTT

 

 

 

 

 

Oakland’s Ketwain Bowers sits low as he grabs and wraps up his opponent, attempting to bring him down. ETHAN SCOTT

 

 

 

 

 

Oakland’s Jacob Crabill forces his opponent out of bounds. ETHAN SCOTT

Blackman's wrestling team made program history Saturday, finishing in fourth place in the TSSAA duals.

It was the highesst finish for the Blaze in the 20-year history of the program.

The Blaze opened the state duals Friday with a 75-6 win over Sevier County before falling to eventual champion Cleveland 40-30 in the quarterfinals.

However, Blackman fared well in the consolation rounds on Saturday, defeating Science Hill 43-36, Houston 46-30 and Centennial 47-30 before losing 42-24 in the third-fourth place match to 14-time champion Bradley Central.

"They are the defending state champions for a reason," Blackman wrestling coach Ronnie Bray said of Cleveland. ...""I am so excited for our guys, coaches and parents. All of our hard work truly paid off."

Oakland went 2-2 and came close to making the consolation semifinals. The Patriots defeated Knoxville Halls 37-29 before losing in the quarterfinals 33-30 to Centennial.

"We knew we were going to start out in a bit of a hole but we battled back within three points and the match could have gone either way as each of us won seven matches," Oakland wrestling coach Josh Harris said.

Oakland's Russ Griffin, Evan Harris and Dejon Glaster won by pin falls against Independence in the consolation round on Saturday.

"My guy might have been tired but nothing is going to stop me," Griffin said of his win.

Oakland bowed out with a loss to Bradley Central 41-24, but freshman Harris picked up another win at 145-pounds for the Patriots.

"It is the first time that Oakland has won two matches at the state meet, according to one of my coaches," Harris said. "We have a solid core group returning and a good eighth-grade group as well."

Blackman battled all day, first building up a 43-6 lead and winning over Science Hill 43-36 with a few forfeits making the final score closer.

 

Their second match was against Houston from Germantown, and the Blaze built a 46-6 lead again, but with forfeits at (152), (160), (170) made the final tally 46-24.

The highlight of the match was Blackman's Jayden Hemphill of Blackman and Dan Laramie, who went six periods before Hemphill pulled out a 4-1 win.

"I got him in a stand-up maneuver to make it 2-1. Then later I got him in a front face lock for the final points to make it 4-1," Hemphhill said. "I had a double overtime before and I was looking at my coaches for advice, and I followed in."

In the consolation semis, Hemphill won his match 17-2 to give the Blaze a technical fall and five points. The Blaze would go on to win the next seven weight classes to get a 41-0 lead before forfeits came into play.

Although Blackman fell to Bradley Central 42-24, two Blaze wrestlers headed to college shined in their last duals matches. Brooks Sacharczyk and Bowdy Boyce are headed to Arkansas Little-Rock and Newberry College in South Carolina, respectively, to continue their careers. Senior Anthony Gomez also looking at three schools to continue his career.

Blackman closes out the season with a record of 30-4, while Oakland finishes at 19-6.

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West Va news...

https://www.register-herald.com/sports/class-aaa-region-up-for-grabs-on-saturday/article_d96c84b5-1e38-512e-b885-48ec7404029c.html

Former Independence wrestler Bowdy Boyce is completing his high school career for AAA Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn. After wrestling at Indy in the ninth grade, his family moved to the Volunteer State. Bowdy has been a starter in football and wrestling for the Blackman Blaze for three years.

The wrestling team wrestled in the state duals tournament yesterday and will compete in the regionals (individual) on Friday and Saturday. He placed sixth in the states last year in the 220-pound class. The AAA division has 92 schools.

After graduation this year he will be attending Newberry College in South Carolina to continue his wrestling career in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Newberry was his choice after receiving numerous offers. Good luck to Bowdy in the Tennessee state tournament and may he have a splendid college career.

_____________

Free-Press Coverage...

Sports: Preps

State champs again: Cleveland, Baylor wrestling programs extend reigns with more TSSAA state duals titles

Bradley Central, Hixson, McCallie earn third-place finishesFebruary 8th, 2020 | by Patrick MacCoon

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Cleveland sophomore 220-pounder Ashton Davis won all four of his matches at the TSSAA Class AAA state duals this weekend in Franklin to help the Blue Raiders earn their third straight championship.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Cleveland senior wrestler Nate Schilling raised the TSSAA Class AAA state duals championship plaque over his head Saturday night, overcome with emotion after the Blue Raiders beat Wilson Central 43-18 in the final.

Schilling had long awaited the moment to wrestle on the big stage in the Williamson County Ag Expo Center, and he made the most of it by winning all three of his matches at the two-day event to help the Blue Raiders (24-1) win their third straight duals title, backing up the team's motto: #MadeInCleveland.

"This weekend really means a lot because this was my first time being able to wrestle in the state finals," said Schilling, who had a 26-second pin and two major decisions, including a 10-2 win in the title dual.

The past three years, I sat and watched. To be in there and compete was unreal. It meant so much more. The feeling was unreal. All I could hear was everyone screaming, and I had to keep total concentration."

PHOTO GALLERY

2020 TSSAA wrestling state duals

 

 

View 7 Photos

Meanwhile, the state's lone nationally ranked squad pounded its way to a second straight Division II state duals title. With a 46-22 win over Christian Brother, the Baylor Red Raiders (17-3) earned the program's 11th state duals title overall.

Baylor senior 182-poudner Connor Duffy wrapped up his dual wrestling career in the strongest way possible securing a first-minute pin in the title dual. He was 3-0 in Franklin, with all of the wins by pin.

"I love this team," Duffy said. "I couldn't have been anywhere else. I love it here. This school has done so much for me and has made me into a strong young man. This is the perfect way to end it, but we want to make a lot of noise in the traditional tournament in a few weeks, too."

The Red Raiders challenged themselves in a big way this season as they wrestled opponents with top-10 national rankings and held their own in one of those matches in a New Jersey tournament.

With young standouts scattered throughout the lineup, including freshman standout Omaury Alvarez (160), Baylor wants to keep building toward being a nationally feared team.

"This team will never forget the memories they made this year," Baylor coach Ben Nelson said. "We love being able to keep the tradition going, and this team has created its own legacy. For Garrison Dendy (138) to end it was really sweet. He's an animal, and once he sealed it, that really was a great feeling for all of us."

Cleveland's Ashton Davis (220) was a wrecking ball to deal with on the mats as he won all four of his matches by pin, with three coming in the first round.

The Chattanooga area's strong wrestling tradition was also upheld by A/AA's Hixson (30-3), AAA's Bradley Central (20-6) and Division II's McCallie (12-3), with each finishing third.

Hixson's Devotis McCurdy (285) won both of his matches Saturday by pin — one in 11 seconds and the other in six, which tied for the quickest in state tournament history.

Cleveland junior 126-pound star Trae McDaniel built his team's lead to 30-9 with a second-round pin, and the title three-peat was sealed by junior Cael Laxton. The 152-pounder displayed laser-sharp focus with a strong takedown in the final 45 seconds of the third period for a 3-1 decision that gave Cleveland an insurmountable lead in the final.

"This team works so hard, and all the early morning wakeups and nonstop getting after it in the wrestling room has paid off," Laxton said. "For the past three months, our focus has been all wrestling. We want to continue the culture here, and this is just how we grew up. Wrestling means a lot to all of us."

The TSSAA postseason now shifts to the individual-based traditional tournaments, though those also have team points at stake. Wrestlers hope to return to Franklin in two weekends to climb atop the podium for more state titles.

Cleveland coach Joey Knox was grateful after his team's latest impressive feat.

"Our guys all have bought in and listened to what we tell them to do, and they have really done amazing," Knox said. "I also give credit to Josh Bosken. He has done an amazing job at our club level, and we couldn't do it without him. Everyone buys in, even the parents. They know how much we love their kids and push them to be the best young men they can be."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

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Update on Hopkinsville HS and Coach Scott Seaman at regions...

106-3 (first year wrestler)
152-4 (forfeit for 3 and 4 because inj) 
160-2 lost 5-9 to the returning champ from union.
220-3rd (Hats off to coaches for voting to arrange times to work around the required ACT for this struggling young father with a huge Army/WP op offered him).

Not bad for having very few state qualifiers for several years and only second year coaching.

Union county had 9 region champs BTW.

 

Edited February 9, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

 

 

Hopkinsville will second four wrestlers to Lexington, including three seniors.

Second-year coach (Mt Juliet, TN 2x Finalist 2011) Scott Seaman said he’s happy with sending four but he obviously wishes it was more.

“I’m proud of the guys going but we had three lose in the blood round,” he said. “A couple of them by decision. I always feel like woulda, coulda, shoulda. I’m happy with the four that are going but wish we had more. I don’t think content is the right word but looking to improve every year.”

Zlatko Skuljan, Kevonni Young, Denarius Barnes and Trushaun Matt are all representing the Tigers.

Skuljan finished second at 160 to lead Hoptown.

“This is it,” Seaman said of his seniors. “This is their last try, they both know it. They’ve been preparing all year for this and their careers.”

Skuljan was disqualified during last year’s Region One tournament and didn’t get to go to state.

“I didn’t want it to happen again,” he said. “I walked here this morning, all my coaches were telling me just like last year, don’t say nothing, don’t do nothing. I just told myself ‘no matter what happens, just keep on wrestling.’ ”

Skuljan said he needs to score more if he wants a chance at a title.

“I’m going to do whatever I have to do to prepare myself to win that state title next week,” he said.

Seaman said having a freshman go with three seniors will help Matt learn a lot during the trip to Lexington.

“Tru’s been a huge addition to our team,” he said. “He’s a real good kid, good in the classroom and he’s a good example as a first-year to a lot of these kids that have been in the room. He’s passed up a lot of guys that have been there 2-3 years. Everyone he’s going to state with has a lot more time on them. He’s really a leader even though he’s a freshman and a first-year.”

Seaman said he wants his guys to savor their final tournament of the year and for the majority of them, their career.

“Just be ready,” he said. “Wins are wins. Make sure your weights on and wrestle smart … Wrestle to the best of your abilities because this is it for the season and three of my four guys, this is it for their high school career.”

 

Colonels finish runners-up at Region One

• By Tyler Dixon New Era sports editor
•  
  • Feb 10, 2020 Updated 18 hrs ago
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    •  0

 

1 of 3

 

Christian County holds its runners-up trophy after the Region One Wrestling Tournament on Saturday at Trigg County.

• Tyler Dixon | Kentucky New Era

 

 

 

Christian County’s Jakerion Merritt (top) wrestles Saturday at Trigg County.

• Tyler Dixon | Kentucky New Era

 

 

 

 

Trigg County’s Colin Stevens gets taken down during his finals match Saturday at TCHS.

• Tyler Dixon | Kentucky New Era

 

Trigg County welcomed some of the top wrestlers in western Kentucky Saturday for the Region One Wrestling Tournament where several area athletes advanced to this weekend’s state tournament in Lexington.

Christian County finished runner-up to Union County as the Colonels had the only local champions in Jakerion Merritt (145) and Niko Bussell (220).

Colonel coach Robert Burnham said they need to wrestle without any mistakes if they want to dethrone Union County in Lexington as the Braves have won four-straight state titles.

“You have to be perfect and we’re not there yet,” he said. “But we still have every opportunity. We’re taking 11 to state, 11 tough wrestlers to state. I feel like we have a great chance to do as much damage as possible because all 11 are third place or better.

“For them, the state tournament won’t be any different than any tournament they’ve been to all year because we try to take them to the toughest tournaments and they know what they have to do. Can we catch Union? Sure, we’re going to have to wrestle perfect and we’re going to have to get some help. The rest of the states going to have to help us with knocking some of them off. They had 13 wrestlers, 12 in the finals. That’s hard to beat.”

Merritt entered the weekend as the top wrestler in his class and he left the gym in that exact same position. The Colonel senior is now 32-0 after taking down Union’s Trevor Pogue but said his mindset isn’t different after winning a state title last season.

“Expectation’s pretty much the same,” he said. “This year I’m a little bit calmer about it. I’m still as hungry as I can be about it but I’m a little bit calmer about it. Slowing down stuff, actually working my technique and preparing for that next level.”

Merritt knew he’d likely face Pogue Saturday and he could face him again in Lexington if they each get to the finals.

Merritt said he and Pogue are a little too familiar with each other and added it doesn’t give him an advantage that he knows his opponent so well.

“It actually scares me,” he said. “The more we know each other, the closer the matches could be. They shouldn’t be close but they could be close.”

With two champions and a runners-up finish, Merritt said the team still has room to grow.

“I’d say we all performed at like a seven,” he said. “We all could have improved. We all could have done way better but it’s only going to help us out in the long run. Next week’s a little bit different, have a little more help at the state tournament from other teams. I still think we can pull off the 2020 state championship.”

Bussell was the other Colonel to win a title Saturday and after a second-place finish a year ago at the state tournament, he’s had something to prove all year.

“I wanted to come in here and dominate state,” he said. “Show people I should have won last year.”

Bussell said he needs to work on takedowns and if he can do that, he’s got a shot at his first state title this weekend.

Burman said they’re going to continue doing what they’ve done all year.

“I think more than anything, it is just mental,” he said about preparing for state. “It’s just keeping their minds in the right place and continuing to work on condition. The best thing we can do is be in the best shape of our lives so when we get to the third period of those tough matches, we’re in better shape than our opponent.”

 

Christian County finished runner-up to Union County as the Colonels had the only local champions in Jakerion Merritt (145) and Niko Bussell (220).

Colonel coach Robert Burnham said they need to wrestle without any mistakes if they want to dethrone Union County in Lexington as the Braves have won four-straight state titles.

“You have to be perfect and we’re not there yet,” he said. “But we still have every opportunity. We’re taking 11 to state, 11 tough wrestlers to state. I feel like we have a great chance to do as much damage as possible because all 11 are third place or better.

“For them, the state tournament won’t be any different than any tournament they’ve been to all year because we try to take them to the toughest tournaments and they know what they have to do. Can we catch Union? Sure, we’re going to have to wrestle perfect and we’re going to have to get some help. The rest of the states going to have to help us with knocking some of them off. They had 13 wrestlers, 12 in the finals. That’s hard to beat.”

Merritt entered the weekend as the top wrestler in his class and he left the gym in that exact same position. The Colonel senior is now 32-0 after taking down Union’s Trevor Pogue but said his mindset isn’t different after winning a state title last season.

“Expectation’s pretty much the same,” he said. “This year I’m a little bit calmer about it. I’m still as hungry as I can be about it but I’m a little bit calmer about it. Slowing down stuff, actually working my technique and preparing for that next level.”

Merritt knew he’d likely face Pogue Saturday and he could face him again in Lexington if they each get to the finals.

Merritt said he and Pogue are a little too familiar with each other and added it doesn’t give him an advantage that he knows his opponent so well.

“It actually scares me,” he said. “The more we know each other, the closer the matches could be. They shouldn’t be close but they could be close.”

With two champions and a runners-up finish, Merritt said the team still has room to grow.

“I’d say we all performed at like a seven,” he said. “We all could have improved. We all could have done way better but it’s only going to help us out in the long run. Next week’s a little bit different, have a little more help at the state tournament from other teams. I still think we can pull off the 2020 state championship.”

Bussell was the other Colonel to win a title Saturday and after a second-place finish a year ago at the state tournament, he’s had something to prove all year.

“I wanted to come in here and dominate state,” he said. “Show people I should have won last year.”

Bussell said he needs to work on takedowns and if he can do that, he’s got a shot at his first state title this weekend.

Burman said they’re going to continue doing what they’ve done all year.

“I think more than anything, it is just mental,” he said about preparing for state. “It’s just keeping their minds in the right place and continuing to work on condition. The best thing we can do is be in the best shape of our lives so when we get to the third period of those tough matches, we’re in better shape than our opponent.”

https://www.kentuckynewera.com/sports/article_c9fe0ca9-f9e4-5355-b032-cddb64acaa66.html

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TSSAA Recognizes Two Local Officials For Dedicated Service

Ken Mara And Jim Ratledge Honored In Wrestling, Basketall Respectively

Tuesday, February 11, 2020 - by John Brice

Ken Mara had gotten married and was looking to earn some extra cash on nights and weekends to help provide for his young family; Jim Ratledge started with a similar mindset to help offset the costs of attending college.

Some 50 years later, both men are part of a decorated group of high school officials being honored this year by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association for their half-century or more of dedication to their sports.

 

KEN MARA, WRESTLING

A standout wrestler at Notre Dame High School who would become part of the late, great James “Jim” Morgan’s first squad at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Mara has been a veteran official of the sport at both the prep and collegiate levels.

“I played baseball, wrestled and ran track in high school,” said Mara, a former 132-pound Tennessee State Wrestling Champion as a high school senior. “I used to officiate football and wrestling, but it got to be too much. I stopped the football and kept on with wrestling.”

Mara owns more than 25 years’ experience as an NCAA Division I wrestling official and currently presides as the TSSAA’s Director of Education for the state’s wrestling officials.

“Just a love of the sport,” Mara said of his dedication through the years. “I think it’s the best sport in the world. It’s the only one that is individual and team at the same time; it’s just you and your opponent on the mat but your result has a direct bearing for your team. Swimming is close, but it doesn’t have the physical contact. I find that really appealing.

“And I think it teaches kids to accept defeat graciously or how to excel with hard work. So I’ve stayed with it all these years because of that.”

For his own journey, Mara points to a pair of titans in the sport as well as the encouragement he remembers receiving from his father-in-law.

“John Farr, Red Bank’s coach for many years (and a TSSAA Hall of Famer), was a mentor to me along with ‘Doc’ Gil Hodges,” Mara said. “They took me under their wings and showed me the ins and outs. Both have since passed, but they just encouraged me to continue and to stick with it.”

Mara remains heavily involved with high school wrestling in Tennessee, running the annual officials’ clinic and attending the sport’s rules meetings.

Jim Ratledge

JIM RATLEDGE, BASKETBALL

A Bradley County native who was just beginning his education at Lee College, Jim Ratledge was in his first year of college and just months removed from high school graduation when he began officiating contests for the TSSAA.

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2020/2/11/403890/TSSAA-Recognizes-Two-Local-Officials.aspx

Edited February 11, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

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Logsdon Winning Streak honored by Jones Foundation

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FORMER BRADLEY BEARS wrestling coach Steve Logsdon was honored with a special plaque from the Allan Jones Foundation in Jim Smiddy Arena at Bradley Central High School this week. From left, Toby Pendergrass, Allan Jones Foundation; Will Jones, Vice President of Check Into Cash and Jones Properties; J. Bailey Jones, Vice President at Check Into Cash; Steve Logsdon, former Bears coach; Patrick Spangler, Bradley Central principal; and Turner Jackson, Bradley Central athletics director.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Posted Thursday, February 13, 2020 10:33 am

SPECIAL TO THE BANNER

 

The greatest high school wrestling coach in Tennessee history was honored by the Allan Jones Foundation this week for an epic winning streak that will likely never be beaten.

 

 

From 1994-2010, the Bradley Central High School wrestling team under coach Steve Logsdon posted a Home Dual meet record of 128-0. During that remarkable streak, the Bears captured 12 State Duals titles and 10 Traditional State titles. The Foundation honored that accomplishment on Tuesday with a special plaque posted at Jim Smiddy Arena in Logsdon’s honor.

 

 

“Coach Logsdon had four undefeated seasons and seven seasons with only one loss,” said businessman Allan Jones. “We are proud to recognize this legendary coach who knows how to win consistently year after and teach young athletes how to go from good to great. He is the best there has ever been. You can’t argue with 128 wins and zero losses.”

 

 

Jones insisted such long-term domination might never be seen again. He said Logsdon’s dominance was the sole reason he and Heath Eslinger came up with the famous “Six year plan” in 2006 that was designed to help Cleveland defeat their crosstown rivals by the year 2012.

 

 

“Logsdon’s teams beat Cleveland for 19 years in a row,” said Jones. “After the six year plan we were eventually able to beat Bradley but it took us five years.”

 

 

As head coach at Bradley Central from 1992 to 2004 and then again from 2007 to 2011 (18 seasons), Logsdon’s teams celebrated 20 team state championships. During the course of his entire coaching career, his record was 382 wins and 26 losses.   

 

 

 At the ceremony unveiling the plaque, Logsdon said it was important to remember that he took a two-year hiatus in 2005 and 2006. During that time, coach Chad Laxton kept the streak alive and captured two team state titles. When contacted for this story, Laxton called Logsdon “the total package.”

 

 

“Coach Logsdon had the ‘it factor’ that made kids want to perform for him,” Laxton explained. “His philosophy was about character, intensity, and pride. It was such a fun environment to be a part of.”

 

 

Regarding the winning streak, Laxton insisted Logsdon never sought to “cherry pick” easy opponents.

 

 

“There were state duals in that Bradley gym, some very tough matches, so nobody should ever think Steve was trying to arrange things to keep the streak alive,” said Laxton. “It was a situation where all comers were welcome.”

 

 

Logsdon offered thanks to the Jones Foundation for the plaque honoring the streak – and for continuous support and encouragement through the years.

 

 

"The Jones family has been a friend to Bradley wrestling for a very long time and this beautiful plaque was Allan’s idea,” Logsdon said. “I personally appreciate his gift, as do the hundreds of Bradley wrestlers, coaches and supporters who were a part of the Streak."

 

 

Upon hearing of the plaque honoring Logsdon, the man who broke the streak in 2010 as the coach of Soddy-Daisy High School’s wrestling team offered praise to the Bradley legend.

 

 

“The Bradley/Soddy-Daisy matches were epic but the ones I remember most were the ones we lost,” said former Trojans coach Steve Henry. “When we were able to beat a Bradley team it meant something. We coached hard and worked hard to beat them, so it was a situation where everyone either got better or got beat — that’s the bottom line. Our rivalry became a huge respect deal for both teams.”

 

 

Henry – who also served as a Team Tennessee coach with Logsdon for five years - said one of his favorite stories about Logsdon was when the Soddy-Daisy athletes were heading home after losing to Bradley in the State Duals.  

 

 

“My wife saw a shirt that one of the Bradley parents was wearing that listed all the years Bradley had won,” Henry recalled. “She told me – you could get a shirt like that listing all the years Soddy-Daisy finished second to Logsdon. It was funny that I couldn’t even get a break in my own home when it came to that Bradley/Soddy rivalry. The school had great wrestling, great kids, great coaches and great tradition.”

 

 

Logsdon said many of his life’s greatest memories came at Bradley Central, including when he became the school’s first state champion in 1984. Upon graduation he attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga but then returned to Bradley to assist then-wrestling coach Turner Jackson before taking the head-coaching role in 1992.

 

 

 "Just being around those wrestlers, coaching staff and the whole Bradley wrestling family created some of my best, most thrilling memories,” Logsdon said. “So many goals set, and so many dreams achieved, and I had the honor of being right there in the middle of it to share in those celebrations. I'll carry those memories and relationships with me forever. Thank you to Allan Jones, and thank you to Bradley County Schools for allowing me to be a part of this great tradition and where, for 30 years, I've literally enjoyed coming to work every day."

 

 

Logsdon is currently the head coach of the Bradley Pride Youth Wrestling Club where he continues helping youth athletes become champions. Al Morris, wrestling coach at Walker Valley High School, said he was glad Logsdon was still coaching.  Morris ran the Bradley kids club for 20 years, starting in the late ‘80s, and has been credited with helping to build the school’s legendary wrestling program.

 

 

“Both of my sons wrestled under coach Logsdon at Bradley and he was the best teacher of technique that I have ever seen,” said Morris. “One of the secrets to his success is his driving passion for the sport of wrestling that has a positive effect on everyone around him. The results speak for themselves.”

 

 

When reflecting on his current role as the Bradley Pride coach, Logsdon noted that the Jones Foundation had agreed to match annually what is raised for the club up to a certain level.

 

 

Bradley Pride is a wrestling program that gives young wrestlers of all skill levels, grades K-8, a chance to learn the essentials of practice and competition. The goal of the program is to train and maintain the highest-quality athletes to help continue the finest wrestling program in Tennessee.

 

  

 “Youth wrestling clubs are important because the wrestlers develop a love for the sport and build a strong work ethic that will carry them through life,” Logsdon said. “We strive to teach young athletes the importance of moral character and good sportsmanship. Winning starts at this level.”

 

 

Jones agreed with Logsdon and noted that he was mat-side in 1984 when Logsdon became Bradley’s first state champion. He was also present when Soddy-Daisy ended the streak in 2010.

 

 

“It was sad to see the winning streak end and was certainly not something I was expecting,” recalled Jones. “It is an honor for me to be a part of this recognition for Coach Logsdon, who is Tennessee greatest wrestling coach. Our Foundation looks forward to partnering with him for a long time as the coach of Bradley Pride.”

 

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Tullahoma's Pat Welsh also gets done will deserved recognition....

 

Tullahoma News

Chamber presents awards during annual banquet

• STAFF WRITER Erin McCullough

Several local businesses and individuals were honored for their contributions to the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce, its programs and the community at-large at the annual Membership Celebration held Feb. 7 at the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center.

Set to a Roaring ‘20s theme, chamber staff highlighted the past year’s best of the best, including Citizen of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Business of the Year and the Extra-Miler of the Year.

This year’s membership celebration also introduced several new awards, including a Board Member of the Year, a Rising Star, Community Investment Award and a special recognition from the Director.

Citizen of the Year

This year’s big winner was none other than school board chairman and lifelong Tullahoma supporter Pat Welsh.

Alderman Rupa Blackwell, the 2018 recipient of the same award, presented a laundry list of reasons why Welsh made for the perfect designee, including his decades of work in the Tullahoma business community, his continued support for the school wrestling programs and his many years of public service.

 

The 2019 Citizen of the Year was Pat Welsh, the chairman of the Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education. He was recognized for his decades of service to the Tullahoma community in myriad ways.

Erin McCullough photo

“This year’s citizen of the year was chosen for one primary reason,” Blackwell said, “his unwavering dedication and love for his community.”

Welsh has 26 years of service to Builders Supply and 10 years of service to Southern Community Bank (now SmartBank) to his name, as well as nearly 30 years supporting the Tullahoma Takedown Club, which garnered him an induction into the Tennessee chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2017.

He has served as a public official in multiple ways as well, including his ongoing two decades of service to the Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education and some time as a Tullahoma alderman. Welsh also served as a former chamber president and the former chairman of the Tullahoma Industrial Board, according to Blackwell.

“We can all agree his dedication to this community is unparalleled,” she added. “There are few who love this community, care about this community and have dedicated their lives to this community more than Mr. Pat Welsh.”

Welsh was “speechless” about the honor, he said.

“This town has been incredible to me and my family,” he added. “We’ve received a whole lot more than we’ve ever had to give.”

Welsh then used part of his acceptance speech to thank both Chamber Director Hope Sartain and Mayor Lane Curlee for their dedication to their organizations.

“They both deserve a round of applause,” he said.

 

 

Edited February 15, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Kingsport Time-News...

Dobyns-Bennett High School

1 / 3 Tre Morrisette (center) was chosen Thursday as the area's top wrestler.

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HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

Indians’ Morrisette takes top Super 14 wrestling honor

DOUGLAS FRITZ • YESTERDAY AT 7:30 AM

Dobyns-Bennett twins Tre Morrisette and Clint Morrisette, with a combined record of 83-2, were at the forefront of area wrestling this season.

It was a close call, but Tre edged his brother to be chosen as the Johnson City Press/Times News wrestler of the year on the annual Super 14 team.

The team was selected Thursday after input from area coaches. Dobyns-Bennett’s Wesley Idlette was chosen as the coach of the year.

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Tre Morrisette has a record of 42-1 while collecting first-place finishes at the Brawl in the Hall and the Bear Den tournaments.

Area wrestlers will hit the mats this weekend as the Region 1-AAA individual tournament will be held at Volunteer’s gym in Church Hill. Championship matches are set to begin around 4 p.m. on Saturday. Top qualifiers earn berths to the state tournament.

Here is a list of this year’s Super 14 honorees, along with their records and highlights from the season.

106 pounds

HAYDEN BODO

Science Hill, Jr.

Season Record: 29-11

Career Record: 89-59

Highlight: 2019 Region 1-AAA finalist

113 pounds

GAVIN ARMSTRONG

Dobyns-Bennett, Fr.

Season Record: 34-10

Career Record: 34-10

Highlight: Bear Den Brawl champion

120 pounds

PERRY ROLLER

Tennessee High, So.

Season Record: 32-11

Career Record: 64-35

Highlight: Falcon Frenzy Runner-Up

126 pounds

BRENNAN WATKINS

Dobyns-Bennett, Jr.

Season Record: 33-7

Career Record: 112-25

Highlight: Two-time Region 1-AAA champion; 2019 state medalist (fourth place)

132 pounds

TYLER SEELEY

Science Hill, Sr.

Season Record: 48-6

Career Record: 208-38

Highlight: Two-time state medalist

138 pounds

BRAXTON MANN

Science Hill, Jr.

Season Record: 27-4

Career Record: 123-18

Highlight: 2019 state runner-up

145 pounds

JACKSON HURST

Dobyns-Bennett, Jr.

Season Record: 39-6

Highlight: Two-time state qualifer; 2019 state medalist (fourth place)

152 pounds

JOSEPH FRYE

Science Hill, Sr.

Season Record: 47-6

Career Record: 135-44

Highlight: 2019 state medalist (fifth place)

160 pounds

TRE MORRISETTE

Dobyns-Bennett, Jr.

Season Record: 42-1

Highlight: Brawl in the Hall, and Bear Den champion

170 pounds

CLINT MORRISETTE

Dobyns-Bennett, Jr.

Season Record: 41-1

Highlight: Two-time state qualifier; Brawl in the Hall, and Bear Den champion; Indian Classic runner-up

182 pounds

AIDAN RHOTON

Dobyns-Bennett, Fr.

Season Record: 32-14

Highlight: Third place Brawl in the Hall; Bear Den Invitational runner-up

195 pounds

ALEXANDER TUCKER

Volunteer, Sr.

Season Record: 18-6

Highlight: 4.0 GPA

220 pounds

JACOB SPURLOCK

Daniel Boone, So.

Season Record: 23-11

Highlight: Fifth place Brawl in the Hall, and Fandetti-Richardson

285 pounds

CALEB BURLESON

Dobyns-Bennett, Jr.

Season Recorrd: 24-11

Highlight: Placed seventh at the Indian Classic

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Free-Press Coverage of Historic No. Ga Success...

GHSA state wrestling: Chattooga rolls; Trion, Sonoraville, Gilmer rise

February 14th, 2020 | by Lindsey Young

The value of wrestling well in consolation matches was on display Friday at the GHSA state traditional tournament in Macon.

The Trion Bulldogs, coming off their first state duals title, were in fourth place after a rough first day Thursday in Class A, getting only four of their 12 state qualifiers into the championship semifinals as Commerce advanced seven wrestlers and two other teams six. The Bulldogs put only one competitor, 152-pound Lincoln Maddux, into Saturday's finals, but they surged to first place in the team standings on the strength of 10 wrestlers advancing through the consolation rounds and into position to finish second through sixth individually.

Trion heads into the medal rounds with 136.5 points, with Commerce second at 130. The Tigers have three finalists and five wrestlers alive in the consolations. Mount Pisgah Christian is third at 117 points and also has three finalists but only six wrestlers remaining overall.

A similar scenario took shape in Class AAA, where the Sonoraville Phoenix and North Hall are set to battle for the team title. The Phoenix, the 2019 traditional champions, lead with 174 points to 165.5 for North Hall, which beat Sonoraville in last month's state duals finals.

Sonoraville has 10 wrestlers still alive, including finalists Misha Arbos (113), Eli Knight (126), Allen Stone (138), Jebb Knight (170) and Charlie Brown (195). The AAA team title, though, will likely be decided in the matches for third and fifth places, where North Hall, which has four finalists, has seven competitors still alive to five for Sonoraville.

Four of coach Randy Steward's wrestlers will wrestle for third, but six North Hall competitors will do so. The two teams will not match up in any bouts Saturday.

The consolations may be an even bigger factor in AAAA, where Woodward Academy leads Gilmer 149.5 points to 134.5. Woodward led the Bobcats by 24 heading into Friday, but Gilmer had nine wrestlers advance to the third- and fifth-place matches to join the team's lone finalist, Caleb Waddell (170). Woodward has a big edge with five finalists, though it has only two more wrestlers competing.

There is very little drama in Class AA, where state duals champion Chattooga was rolling with 166.5 points, 53 more than second-place Oglethorpe County. The Indians' seven finalists are led by Griffin Jarrett (113), who is going for his fourth individual title. He's joined by Wes Conley (120), Mason Sterner (145), Jakoby Cottrell (170), Ty Veatch (195), Alex Mears (220) and Luis Medina (285), another reigning champ.

Dade County is third with 103 points and has four finalists: Cayden Cooper (132), Dakota Johnson (160), Cody Williams (182) and Ian Howell (285). Other area wrestlers going for individual titles are Calhoun's Jacob Poe (145) in AAA, Northwest Whitfield's Victor Pineda (113) and Chase Humble (195) in AAAA and Dalton's Cole Hunt (106) and Hunter Noland (138) in AAAAAA. Noland won the 126-pound title last year.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.

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Sonoraville in GHSA duals Class AAA title match after historic upset; Trion, Chattooga, Gilmer also finalists

January 17th, 2020 | by Lindsey Young

Friday was a historic day at the GHSA wrestling duals championships in Macon, where Sonoraville handed Jefferson its first state duals loss since the tournament's inception in 2002.

The Phoenix, two-time reigning traditional champions, trailed 19-18 after the first seven bouts despite taking an 18-0 lead against the 18-time duals champs. They rebounded by taking six of the final seven matchups, the final two by pin, to win 48-22.

Sonoraville will face North Hall in Saturday's Class AAA final at the Macon Centreplex and will be joined in the championship round by Gilmer in Class AAAA, Chattooga in Class AA and Trion in Class A.

Northwest Whitfield is in the Class AAAA consolation semifinals against Central-Carroll after defeating Eastside, 43-22, and Cartersville, 50-27, on Friday. Dade County is in the Class AA consolation semifinals after a 54-19 win over Jeff Davis. The Wolverines will face Elbert County on Saturday for a shot to reach the third-place match.

"They've been the best and you want to beat the best," Sonoraville coach Randy Steward said of Jefferson. "The other biggest deal is that this is just the semifinals. We've got North Hall in the finals, a great team that we've also never beaten in a dual meet. It's the same mindset as today."

Sonoraville started the match with pins by Charlie Brown at 195, Joseph Bryan at 220 and Brandon Bristol at heavyweight before the Dragons won the next four to take a one-point lead. Eli Knight then earned a major decision at 132 to give the Phoenix a lead they would not relinquish. Allen Stone and Jayce Derryberry followed with technical falls, and David O'Neal made it 36-22 with a 14-6 major decision at 152.

Jebb Knight and Zakk Ferguson finished out the big win for the Phoenix, who have finished third three times at the state duals.

"The emotion on the bench was super," said Steward, whose team is now 26-0 in dual matches. "Even though we were down 19-18 we had the toughest part of our lineup coming, so the guys knew we had a great shot. I'm proud, I'm happy and we're all excited, but we want more."

Chattooga will compete in its first duals final after getting five pins in a 45-27 win over Elbert County. The Indians started the match strong with pins at 195 by Ty Veatch, at 220 by Alex Mears and at heavyweight by reigning state individual champion Luis Medina. Three-time traditional champion Griffin Jarrett added six more points at 113 as coach Brian Beasley's team built a huge lead.

Chattooga will face Social Circle, winner of the last five Class AA duals titles, in Saturday's final.

Trion rolled into the Class A final with a 42-22 win over Mount Pisgah Christian by taking a 28-0 lead on the strength of a pair of forfeits, Clay Baker's win at heavyweight on an injury default, Seth Huskins' major decision at 106 and Daegan Vaughn's pin at 113.

Coach Eric Brock's team will face six-time Class A champion Commerce in Saturday's championship round.

Gilmer, a nine-time duals champion, went to the final bout before getting past Perry, 36-31, in Class AAAA. The Bobcats were tied at 31 when heavyweight Jacob Cruz earned a 15-0 technical fall to clinch a title-round matchup with top-seeded Woodward Academy.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.

&

 

Chattooga, Trion wrestling teams break through for first titles at GHSA state duals

January 18th, 2020 | by Lindsey Young

There was a changing of the guard in the lower three classifications of the GHSA wrestling duals championships this weekend in Macon, where programs with a combined 29 consecutive team titles were dethroned.

Two of the new champions reside in northwest Georgia. Chattooga rolled out to a quick lead against Social Circle, which had won the past five Class AA titles, and never let up while winning 59-21 during Saturday's finals. In Class A, Trion took nine of the first 11 individual bouts to win 46-25 and end Commerce's run of duals championships at six.

In Class AAA, the Sonoraville Phoenix lost 49-18 to North Hall a day after ending Jefferson's 18-year state duals winning streak.

Trion fell behind 4-0 to Commerce after giving up a major decision at 220 pounds, but the Bulldogs went ahead for good when 285-pounder Clay Baker earned a pin right at the first-period buzzer. After getting an 8-7 decision from Seth Huskins at 106, Daegan Vaughn added six points with a pin at 113.

Trion's lead was 24-13 when Logan Eller stuck his 145-pound opponent in the second period. Lincoln Maddux and David Paiz followed suit at 152 and 160 to seal the program's first state duals title after several recent top-three finishes at both the duals and traditional state tournaments. Trion won its lone traditional title in 1994.

Chattooga's runaway win over Social Circle started in the meat of the Indians' strength at 220, where Alex Mears dominated 17-1 for a five-point technical fall. Luis Medina (285), a Times Free Press Dynamite Dozen honoree and Troy University football signee, followed with a first-period pin. After a Commerce pin at 106, Griffin Jarrett and Wes Conley earned pins for Chattooga to establish a 23-6 advantage.

The Tigers rallied to cut the deficit to eight, but the Indians countered with consecutive pins from Jason Malone, Mason Sterner and Rowan Burdick to clinch the title with four matches left.

North Hall's win over Sonoraville also was the result of a dominating start. North Hall won the first five bouts, including two pins and a major decision, to take a 22-0 lead. Eli Knight ended the run with a pin at 126, but the Trojans got a first-period pin from Damon Campbell at 132 to reassume command.

Woodward Academy used a strong run in the middle weights to get past Gilmer, 44-24, in the Class AAAA championship match.

Also in AAAA, Northwest Whitfield went 1-1 Saturday to finish fourth. The Bruins defeated Central-Carroll 50-27 in the consolation semifinals before losing for the second time in the tournament to Blessed Trinity, 46-21, in the third-place match.

In Class AA, Dade County fell to Elbert County 38-33 in the consolation semifinals.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.

&

Chattooga County celebrates both Chattooga and Trion as Georgia High School Association wrestling duals state champions

January 22nd, 2020 | by Patrick MacCoon

Trion coach Eric Brock, left, and assistant Jarin Blevins, middle, talk to their wrestling team Monday at the school. The Bulldogs improved to 27-0 in duals this season with their 46-25 victory against Commerce to win the GHSA Class A title this past Saturday in Macon. / Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon

As the Chattooga and Trion wrestlers returned home with two of the seven GHSA duals state championship trophies last Saturday night, two neighboring towns celebrated a remarkable feat together.

Separated by just seven miles, both Chattooga County programs pinned their way to storybook seasons as Trion's Bulldogs and the Indians from Summerville won the Class A and AA team championships in Macon. Wrestling on adjacent mats, they took down a pair of Goliaths — Commerce and Social Circle — that combined had won 11 straight state titles.

To the wrestlers' surprise, a bevy of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances met them at the county line with fireworks being shot off from the roadside.

"Coming home and being celebrated like that was so different and crazy," said Chattooga senior Luis Medina, who is 33-1 this season. "We were hanging out the windows of the bus thanking everybody. It's something both schools will never forget. We will always be remembered as state champs.

"At the beginning of the year our guys got together and said this has to be the year, and we did it."

Seniors made up eight of the starting 14 spots for each team.

The Chattooga and Trion wrestling programs won their first GHSA duals state championships this past weekend in Macon. Pictured is the first-place trophy for Chattooga, which defeated Social Circle 59-21 to win the Class AA title. Trion beat Commerce 46-25 in the Class A final. / Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon

Trion improved to 27-0 in duals this season with a 46-25 victory over Commerce in the Class A final. The Indians (24-1) won nine of their 14 matches by pin and got their other win by technical fall while beating Social Circle 59-21 for the Class AA championship. Commerce had won the past six Class A titles with Social Circle taking the previous five in AA.

"Winning it all just takes the breath from you," Trion senior 132-pounder Ethan Madaris said. "I just can't explain it. The feeling is so magical. You have all these people out here that support and love you. This school has helped me build friendships and become a part of great teams. It's really amazing."

When the Bulldogs began their season, they set a list of goals on each step of a ladder, all of which they have achieved so far. Their motto, "Create Your Legacy," runs across the front of their team shirts, and they clearly have taken it seriously.

Coach Eric Brock was a senior on the Trion team that won the Class A traditional state championship in 1994. However, he was quick to answer when asked what title meant more to him.

"Hands down, being a coach of this state championship team means the most to me," Brock said. "It's very emotional. This team has worked so hard and has done everything and more that we asked of them. I felt comfortable putting anybody into our lineup. It's a special group who had a dream, worked for it and made it a reality. They will forever be in my heart."

The Chattooga wrestlers became their school's second state championship program — they joined the girls' basketball team that won the Class AAA title in 1988 — with a lineup that included five state finalists and four individual champions from last season.

The Indians' support for each other was almost unrestrained in Macon, especially when 138-pounder Jason Malone fought back from a deficit to pin his opponent and help seal the title.

"All of our guys were so excited for one another, and I had to keep telling them to get back because they were jumping up and down on our sideline," 20th-year head coach Brian Beasley said. "This state championship is a rare occurrence. To see the way our town reacted for not only us but both schools was so cool. They were genuinely excited for these boys and the schools."

Trion senior 220-pounder Clay Baker has friends at Chattooga, like many of his fellow Bulldogs, and he knows the joint celebration may have been a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

"Something like this may never happen again," Baker said. "Both of us winning it at the same time is just unheard of. All the kids at both schools have bought in to their program, and it's where they have left it all on the line. Now we both want to go and win the traditional team title, too."

The GHSA traditional state championships are Feb. 13-15 in Macon, with individuals advancing to the event through area and sectional tournaments.

Chattooga senior Griffin Jarrett hopes to help lead his team to a sweep of the state awards and become the first wrestler in school history to win four individual state championships.

"Everything that has happened this year is something I have dreamed of since middle school," said Jarrett, who is 46-3 at 113. "I wanted to help our team win its first state championship, and I want to be a four-time state champion. With our talent and work ethic we have made dreams come true. There is a fire still in us to win more, too."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

Edited February 15, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Kudos to some good fights especially Peck's and Smith's...

Big Blue kept it close...

Bradley Surprises Cleveland In 4-AAA Wrestling

Baylor Rolls In D-II While Signal Mountain Takes Second In 3-A/AA

Saturday, February 15, 2020 - by John Hunt

The Bradley Bears claimed five individual titles in the Region 4-AAA wrestling tournament at Rhea County High School Saturday, but more importantly, they qualified all 14 individuals for next week’s traditional state tournament and they beat arch-rival Cleveland in the process.

The Bears, who were third in last weekend’s state duals, advanced 10 to the championship finals and won half of them as they finished the day with 234.5 points.

Cleveland, who won its third straight duals title last Saturday and will be looking for a three-peat in the traditional tournament, finished a close second with 224.5 points.  The Blue Raiders also qualified all 14 individuals for next week.

Soddy Daisy was third with 116 points and eight qualifiers while East Hamilton and Walker Valley were fourth and fifth overall with 92.5 and 73 points, respectively.  The Hurricanes will take six next weekend while the Mustangs will have five.

While Bradley was winning a close one over Cleveland in the AAA division, the Baylor Red Raiders were winning the Division II East region tournament with 300.5 points and eight champions.

McCallie was a distant second with 230 points and five champs while MBA was third with 156, Boyd-Buchanan fourth with 85 and Knoxville Webb fifth with 77.

Nolensville was the champion of Region 3-A/AA with 221 points while Signal Mountain was second with 180.  Eagleville, Forrest and Whitwell completed the top five teams with 139.5, 134 and 126 points, respectively.

Bradley got championship performances from Ethan Wilson at 106, Easton Lipsey at 113 and Luke Belcher at 120 to begin the finals while Gavin Hughes (132) and Seth Gregory (138) also won titles while defeating Cleveland wrestlers in the finals.

Taron Patterson (126), Anthony Lynn (152), Tyrone McDonald (182), Gavin Sewell (220) and Austin McClure (285) finished second for the Bears.

Cleveland, like Bradley, had 10 in the finals, but could only produce four champions, including Trae McDaniel at 126, Cael Laxton at 152, Nate Schilling at 160 and Ashton Davis at 220.

Bentley Ellison (106), Arlo Laxton (113), Jackson Bradford (120), Blake Randall (132), Burns Meagher (138) and Zach Brezna (170) all finished second for the Blue Raiders.

Soddy Daisy and East Hamilton both had two champs while Walker Valley had one. 

Winning for the Trojans was Cole Prestwood at 145 and Hayden Maynor at 182 while East Hamilton’s two winners included Cade Meeks at 170 and Jason Brumlow at 195.  Walker Valley’s Jadon Langford was the winner for Walker Valley at 285.

“That was badly needed for our team and really felt good,” said Bradley coach Ben Smith after arriving back on the Bradley campus early Saturday night.

“We feel like we have some guys who can go with those from Cleveland and Wilson Central, but today was a day where our guys took care of business.  We finally got over the hump in some matches and I felt like our momentum just picked up through the finals as we were able to keep our distance from Cleveland.

“We showed that we can compete and we have 14 young men who can score a lot of points next weekend.  I felt like we wrestled well with very little stress.  It wasn’t a bad day for Bradley wrestling,” said the likable Smith, now in his ninth year as the Bradley boss.

Cleveland coach Joey Knox felt like the opening round was the downfall for his team as Cleveland had nine byes out of 14 weight classes.  Meanwhile, Bradley was recording pins and building a 30-point lead.

Turns out, the early deficit was too much for the Blue Raiders to overcome.

“I don’t think we lost a single match in that first round, but we were down by 30 with all the byes and just couldn’t climb back in it,” said Knox later.

“I felt like we lost two matches we should have won, but we have a young team and that’s just growing pains.  I’m just glad it happened this weekend and not next.  We started off behind the eight ball, clawed our way back in and got within a shot of winning, but this just shows we have to be ready to wrestle every time we step on the mat,” Knox added in his usual soft tone.

Top-ranked Baylor had another strong performance in their own gym as they won this tournament by more than 70 points over arch-rival McCallie.

The Red Raiders had eight individual champs while McCallie had five and MBA one.

“Our guys were rocking and rolling today as they scored a lot of bonus points,” related Baylor coach Ben Nelson after the competition had ended for the day.

“We won everywhere we expected to win and I was really proud of Anthony Mannella, who got an upset at 152 that we were all happy about. 

“I thought we took care of business and will be taking 13 next weekend as we look forward to another opportunity to perform at a high level.  I’m not sure how many of these we’ve won in a row, but I’m pretty sure it’s at least six,” Nelson concluded.

Baylor’s champions included Nick Cordey at 106, Jackson Bond at 113, Noah Horst at 132, Garrison Dendy at 138, Mannella at 152, Connor Duffy at 182, David Harper at 195 and Barrett Chambers at 220.

McCallie’s five champs included Jack Braman at 120, Emory Taylor at 126, Alex Whitworth at 160, Gavin Cagle at 170 and James Howard at 285.

The only other champ was MBA’s Robby Barnes at 145.

Nolensville claimed four individual titles and advanced 11 to next week’s tournament while Signal Mountain also had four champs and qualified eight.  Eagleville and Forrest both had two winners while Whitwell and Howard had one champ each.

Signal Mountain got victories from Caleb Uhorchuk at 106, Noah Shriner at 113 and Daniel Uhorchuk at 120 to begin the championship round, but Kevin Muschel was the only other champion for the Eagles.

Meanwhile, the Knights got wins from Riley Lippincott at 126, Jacob Vogelpohl at 138, Gavin Channell at 152 and McKinley Wagner at 195 to maintain an early lead to the end.

Signal’s other qualifiers, in addition to the four champions and runner-up Preston Worley at 160, included Kale Albritton at 132, Clay Gallant at 138 and Brock Shipley at 152, all finishing third.

Howard’s Jermichael Young beat Nolensville’s Bailey Black with a 3-2 overtime decision to claim the 220-pound title while Whitwell’s James Headrick posted a first-period pin to win a region title at 285.

Next week’s tournament will begin on Thursday for the AAA teams while the A-AA and D-II participants will join the fray on Friday. 

Every individual who placed in the top four of their respectively tournament advance to next week's traditional state tournament in Franklin.

REGION 4-AAA TEAM SCORES: 1. Bradley 234.5; 2. Cleveland 224.5; 3. Soddy Daisy 116; 4. East Hamilton 92.5; 5. Walker Valley 73; 6. McMinn Co. 53.5; 7. Ooltewah 43; 8. Rhea Co. 17.

4-AAA CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – Ethan Wilson (Bradley) dec. Bentley Ellison (Cleveland), 6-1;

113 – Easton Lipsey (Bradley) dec. Arlo Laxton (Cleveland), 7-4;

120 – Luke Belcher (Bradley) dec. Jackson Bradford (Cleveland), 8-6 in overtime;

126 – Trae McDaniel (Cleveland) pinned Taron Patterson (Bradley), 1:20;

132 – Gavin Hughes (Bradley) won by injury default over Blake Randall (Cleveland);

138 – Seth Gregory (Bradley) dec. Burns Meagher (Cleveland), 5-0;

145 – Cole Prestwood (Soddy Daisy) dec. Kyle Cooley (McMinn Co.), 6-1;

152 – Cael Laxton (Cleveland) pinned Anthony Lynn (Bradley), 1:10;

160 – Nate Schilling (Cleveland) dec. Landon Lewis (Soddy Daisy), 7-3;

170 – Cade Meeks (East Hamilton) dec. Zach Brezna (Cleveland), 7-1;

182 – Hayden Maynor (Soddy Daisy) dec. Tyrone McDonald (Bradley), 6-1;

195 – Jason Brumlow (East Hamilton) dec. Kallum Lowe (Walker Valley), 3-2;

220 – Ashton Davis (Cleveland) dec. Gavin Sewell (Bradley), 7-0;

285 – Jadon Langford (Walker Valley) dec. Austin McClure (Bradley), 5-3.

4-AAA CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Aaron Walker (East Hamilton) major dec. Lincoln Harvey (Soddy Daisy), 10-2;

113 – Hunter Bankes (Soddy Daisy) pinned Caleb Hickman (Rhea Co.), 2:09;

120 – Tristan Hight (Soddy Daisy) pinned Alex McCord (Walker Valley), 2:28;

126 – Maclain Otting (East Hamilton) dec. Robby Thomas (Ooltewah), 6-1;

132 – Dylan Ricker (McMinn Co.) pinned Jacob Allen (Soddy Daisy), :36;

138 – Gage Boggess (McMinn Co.) pinned Roman Evans (Ooltewah), 2:08;

145 – Garrett Stevenson (Cleveland) dec. Ben Stansberry (Bradley), 6-4 in overtime;

152 – Gavin Hamrick (Soddy Daisy) pinned Alexander Wright (Ooltewah), 4:33;

160 – Knox Watson (Bradley) major dec. Allen Lewis (East Hamilton), 15-2;

170 – Caleb Jeffers (Bradley) won by technical fall over Francisco Campos (Rhea Co.), 5:00;

182 – Tetoe Boyd (Cleveland) dec. Heath Tanksley (Walker Valley), 5-3;

195 – Riley Harris (Cleveland) won by forfeit over Cody McDaniel (Bradley);

220 – Dennis Pedigo (Ooltewah) pinned Jacob Anderson (Walker Valley), 1:25;

285 – Javarrius Dunnigan (East Hamilton) dec. Nick Nicodemis (Cleveland), 3-1 in overtime.

D-II EAST TEAM SCORES: 1. Baylor 300.5; 2. McCallie 230; 3. Montgomery Bell Academy 156; 4. Boyd-Buchanan 85; 5. Knoxville Webb 77; 6. Notre Dame 66; 7. Christian Academy of Knoxville 53; 8. Chattanooga Christian 46; 9. Grace Christian of Knoxville 42; 10. Friendship Christian 38; 11. Knoxville Catholic 30; 12. Donelson Christian 6; 13. St. Andrew’s-Sewanee 3; 14. King’s Academy 0.

D-II CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – Nick Cordey (Baylor) pinned Tate Williams (Boyd-Buchanan);

113 – Jackson Bond (Baylor) won by technical fall over Nicholas Ridings (McCallie), 5:00;

120 – Jack Braman (McCallie) pinned Kade Hartline (Baylor), 3:28;

126 – Emory Taylor (McCallie) won by technical fall over Will Higgins (MBA), 4:42;

132 – Noah Horst (Baylor) won by technical fall over Frank Perazzini (MBA), 4:03;

138 – Garrison Dendy (Baylor) pinned Adam Garfinkel (MBA), 1:04;

145 – Robby Barnes (MBA) dec. Dominick Coker (Boyd-Buchanan), 9-8;

152 – Anthony Mannella (Baylor) dec. Dan McGuire (MBA), 6-2;

160 – Alex Whitworth (McCallie) dec. Omaury Alvarez (Baylor), 5-3;

170 – Gavin Cagle (McCallie) dec. Ronald Garriques (Baylor), 6-4;

182 – Connor Duffy (Baylor) pinned Chase Looper (McCallie), :46;

195 – David Harper (Baylor) pinned Gabe Fisher (MBA), 1:02;

220 – Barrett Chambers (Baylor) pinned David Dixon (Boyd-Buchanan), 2:52;

285 – James Howard (McCallie) pinned Ryan Jackson (Friendship Christian), 3:48.

D-II CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Ellis Haney (McCallie) dec. A.J. Jolley (Chattanooga Christian), 7-5;

113 – Bob Deitch (Notre Dame) pinned Matthew Tieng (Knox. Webb), 2:35;

120 – Chase Eakes (Friendship Christian) dec. Ben Beaver (Knoxville Grace), 4-1;

126 – Ryan Tisdale (Baylor) dec. Parker Sapp (CAK), 6-2;

132 – Nathan Harris (CAK) major dec. Ian Herring (McCallie), 15-3;

138 – Francisco Palacios (Notre Dame) dec. Hawk Dunn (CAK), 9-4;

145 – Chase Radpour (Baylor) dec. Rand Holtzclaw (McCallie), 6-1;

152 – Frankie Zahrobsky (McCallie) pinned Alexander Coker (Boyd-Buchanan), 2:36;

160 – Julian Waters (Boyd-Buchanan) major dec. Lachlan Brandt (Chattanooga Christian), 9-1;

170 – Kaden White (Knox. Catholic) dec. Jake Fuller (Knox. Webb), 7-2;

182 – Dominic Vance (Knox. Webb) pinned Mason Skeeters (MBA), 3:43;

195 – Leonardo Bonifacio (Knox. Webb) pinned Coen Campbell (McCallie), 1:56;

220 – Brik Boruff (Knox. Webb) pinned Noah Bruhin (Knox. Grace), 4:03;

285 – Jacob Brigman (Notre Dame) pinned Joseph Moore (MBA), :20.

REGION 3-A/AA TEAM SCORES: 1. Nolensville 221; 2. Signal Mountain 180; 3. Eagleville 139.5; 4. Forrest 134; 5. Whitwell 126; 6. East Ridge 88; 7. Red Bank 74; 8. East Nashville 57; 9. Howard 53; 10. Sequatchie Co. 50; 11. Watertown 35; 12. Cascade 26; 13. Marshall 24; 14. Stratford 19; 15. Tennessee School for the Blind 7.

REGION 3-A/AA CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – Caleb Uhorchuk (Signal Mountain) dec. Cole Dorsett (Nolensville), 7-0;

113 – Noah Shriner (Signal Mountain) pinned Seth McCoy (Forrest), 1:43;

120 – Daniel Uhorchuk (Signal Mountain) dec. Brody McLemore (Eagleville), 9-3;

126 – Riley Lippencott (Nolensville) pinned Brice Barton (Whitwell), 4:45;

132 – Gabriel Pennington (Eagleville) major dec. Micah McClendon (Forrest), 9-0;

138 – Jacob Vogelpohl (Nolensville) pinned Erik Johnson (Eagleville), 1:07;

145 – Kevin Muschel (Signal Mountain) pinned Amado Gomez (Whitwell), :35;

152 – Gavin Channell (Nolensville) pinned Jacob Roberts (Whitwell), 3:05;

160 – Wyatt McLemore (Eagleville) dec. Preston Worley (Signal Mountain), 8-7;

170 – Nick McClendon (Forrest) pinned Caden Cline (Red Bank), :15;

182 – Noah Hill (Forrest) pinned Jason Dennis (Eagleville), 2:47;

195 – McKinley Wagner (Nolensville) dec. Jerry Campbell (East Nashville), 11-6;

220 – Jermichael Young (Howard) dec. Bailey Black (Nolensville), 3-2 in overtime;

285 – James Headrick (Whitwell) pinned Kaymon Overton (East Nashville), 1:40.

3-A/AA CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Malikhi Johnson (Red Bank) won by technical fall over Jacob Pennington (Eagleville), 21-5;

113 – Kyle Harper (Red Bank) pinned Collin Thomas (East Ridge), 1:00;

120 –Tate Crowell (Nolensville) pinned Braiden Vanderploeg (Forrest), :30;

126 – Perrin Clark (East Ridge) pinned Andrew Green (Watertown), :32;

132 – Kale Albritton (Signal Mountain) pinned Matthew Schutt (Stratford), :22;

138 – Clay Gallant (Signal Mountain) major dec. Carson Blackwell (Forrest), 13-1;

145 – Sean Allen (Nolensville) major dec. Hunter Pendley (Forrest), 15-4;

152 – Brock Shipley (Signal Mountain) pinned Aaron Foster (Marshall), :34;

160 – Gavin Rich (Nolensville) pinned Alex Moore (Whitwell), :27;

170 – Joshua Bryant (Nolensville) dec. Donovin Darnell (Eagleville), 8-3;

182 – Lloyd Pinheiro (East Ridge) pinned Nathan Montpool (Nolensville), :15;

195 – Mason Keel (Whitwell) pinned Alexander Pirok (East Ridge), 1:38;

220 – Christian Wampler (East Ridge) pinned Seth Lacy (Red Bank), 1:02;

285 – Ontarrious Woodruff (Howard) pinned Isaac Stutts (Watertown), 1:17.

(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

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Rutherford Co update...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Murfreesboro area to send 43 boys to TSSAA state individual wrestling tournament

CECIL JOYCE | DAILY NEWS JOURNAL

Updated 3 hours ago

 

 

Updated 3 hours ago

 

 

The Murfreesboro area will have 36 Class AAA boys wrestlers and seven from Eagleville participating in the state individual wrestling tournament next weekend.

The Murfreesboro area will have 36 Class AAA boys wrestlers and seven from Eagleville participating in the state individual wrestling tournament next weekend.Thirteen area wrestlers captured 5-AAA championships and Eagleville's Wyatt McLemore and Gabe Pennington both came away with a 3-A/AA titles during Saturday's individual region tournaments.

The top four wrestlers from each region advanced to the state, which will be held Feb. 20-22 at Williamson Ag and Expo Center in Franklin.

Blackman edged Oakland 238-234 for the region individual team title. Stewarts Creek was fourth and Riverdale fifth.

 

Photos: Region 5-AAA individual wrestling tournament

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"You've got to give it up for Oakland," said Blackman coach Ronnie Bray, whose squad trailed the Patriots after Friday night's action. "It came down to the last match, for sure. Our kids battled back and did what they were supposed to do. They did what they had to do to win."

Blackman's Justin Bradford (lower weight division) and Oakland's Dejon Glaster (upper weight division) were named outstanding wrestlers of the tournament.

Regular-season region awards were also given. Blackman's Brooks Sacharczyk was named Wrestler of the Year while teammate Mason Sells was Freshman of the Year. Bray earned Coach of the Year while Rockvale's Chad Lane was Assistant Coach of the Year.

Lane's Rockets will be sending the school's first wrestler to the state as Parker Sparks finished fourth in the 113-pound division.

Eagleville finished third behind Nolensville and Signal Mountain in the Region 3-A/AA tournament. The Eagles had two champions, three runners-up and two others that finished in the top four.

 

Blackman's Brooks Sacharczyk (top) and Oakland's Ketwain Bowers battle in the 182-pound championship match in the Region 5-AAA individual tournament Saturday. Sarcharczyk won by pin.  

TOM BECKWITH / FOR THE DNJ

Region 5-AAA

106 pounds

Championship: Chastain Stokes (Oakland) d. Caleb Mackie (Warren Co.) Fall, 1:54.

Third place: Grant Myers (Blackman) d. Trenton Houston (Cookeville) Fall, 3:16.

113 pounds

Championship: Justin Bradford (Blackman) d. Brandon Levia (Smyrna) Fall, 1:20.

Third place: George Esquivel (Stewarts Creek) d. Parker Sparks (Rockvale) Fall, 4:45.

120 pounds

Championship: Alex Rose (Blackman) d. Tyler South (Stewarts Creek) Fall, 1:00.

Third place: Tyler Vanderheyden (Oakland) d. Noah Harvel (Siegel) 10-4.

126 pounds

Championship: Mason Sells (Blackman) d. Caleb Adkins (Tullahoma) TF 1.5, 5:44 (18-3).

Third place: Aalijah Daniel (Riverdale) d. Jacob Jones (Stewarts Creek) MD 16-6.

132 pounds

Championship: Kenny Harless (Stewarts Creek) d. Franky Medina (Riverdale) 7-5.

Third place: Jaxsen Nieuwsma (Oakland) d. Alan Esparza (Warren Co.) Fall, 4:24.

138 pounds

Championship: Justin Brown (Blackman) d. Joe David Bell (Oakland) MD 11-1.

Third place: Brandon McClure (Riverdale) d. Clinton Gonzalez (Cookeville) Fall, 2:01.

145 pounds

Championship: Micaiah Watkins (Stewarts Creek) d. Ross Griffin (Oakland) MD 8-0.

Third place: Ethan Ayo (Cookeville) d. Gavin Prater (Coffee Co.) 3-2.

152 pounds

Championship: Christopher Grier (Shelbyville) d. Evan Harris (Oakland) Fall, 3:23.

Third place: Kohlten Brown (Riverdale) d. Ethan McWilliams (Cookeville) Fall, 2:33.

160 pounds

Championship: Dejon Glaster (Oakland) d. Elijah Cowan (Tullahoma) TF 1.5, 5:14 (20-3).

Third place: Dakota Cucinella (Cookeville) d. Noah O'Shields (Warren Co.) Fall, 4:50.

170 pounds

Championship: Anthony Gomez (Blackman) d. Kenneth Phillips (Siegel) Fall, 1:45.

Third place: Jay Reed (Cookeville) d. Jacob Knight (Stewarts Creek) Fall, 1:36.

182 pounds

Championship: Brooks Sacharczyk (Blackman) d. Ketwain Bowers (Oakland) Fall, 1:04.

Third place: Issac Gillentine (Warren Co.) d. Eric Motykowski (Cookeville) Fall, 3:44.

195 pounds

Championship: Kameron Bingham (Oakland) d. Jaylan Hughes (Blackman) 6-2.

Third place: Connor Milhorn (Siegel) d. Brian Nelms (Tullahoma) Forfeit.

220 pounds

Championship: Bowdy Boyce (Blackman) d. Noah Todd (Siegel) Fall, 1:38.

Third place: Austin McBee (Shelbyville) d. Jacob Crabill (Oakland) Fall, 4:33.

285 pounds

Championship: Graham Keating (Oakland) d. Cardin Stump (Coffee Co.) Fall, 1:25.

Third place: Samuel Harness (Cookeville) d. Tydrell Mitchell (Tullahoma) 5-1.

Region 3-A/AA

106 pounds

Third place: Malikhi Johnson (Red Bank) def. Jacob Pennington (Eagleville) TF 1.5, 0:36, 21-5.

120 pounds

Championship: Daniel Uhorchuk (Signal Mtn.) d. Brody McLemore (Eagleville) 9-3.

132 pounds

Championship: Gabe Pennington (Eagleville) d. Micah McClendon (Forrest) MD 9-0.

138 pounds

Championship: Jacob Vogelpohl (Nolensville) d. Erik Johnson (Eagleville) Fall, 1:07.

160 pounds

Championship: Wyatt McLemore (Eagleville) d. Preston Worley (Signal Mtn.) 8-7.

170 pounds

Third place: Joshua Bryant (Nolensville) d. Donovin Darnell (Eagleville) 8-3.

182 pounds

Championship: Noah Hill (Forrest) d. Jason Dennis (Eagleville) Fall, 2:47.

Originally Published 6:06 p.m. CST Feb. 15, 2020

Updated 3 hours ago

   

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Hixson Wins Third Straight Region Wrestling Title

Wildcats Qualify All 14 For State After Winning Seven Individual Titles With 249 Points

Saturday, February 15, 2020 - by John Hunt

Hixson's Devotis McCurdy works on a take down against Alcoa's Lance Williams in the 285 weight class championship during the Region 2-A/AA tournament at Hixson Saturday afternoon. Williams eventually won the match with a pin at the 4:20 mark, but Hixson won the region championship. amassing 249 points with seven individual championships.
- photo by Dennis Norwood

The Hixson Wildcats won their third straight Region 2-A/AA wrestling tournament at Hixson Saturday afternoon and head coach Garrick Hall was pleased for the most part as he’s more concerned about what happens at the traditional state tournament next weekend in Franklin than winning another region title.

The Wildcats, who came back strong last Saturday to claim third in the state duals, qualified all 14 of their individuals while scoring 249 points.

Runner-up Alcoa had 10 qualifiers and 169.5 points while Upperman was third with 98.  Central and Polk County rounded out the top five teams with 86 and 75 points, respectively.

“We did okay, but I’m tired and ready to go home,” said Hall after a long day as not only the tournament director but leader of the Wildcats.

“We’ve got to show up next week when it really counts.  We were able to win this tournament for the third straight year, which is one of our goals every season, and I feel like we have a legitimate shot of being in the top three next Saturday.

“For the most part, I’m pleased with how we wrestled today.  I was really proud of Caleb Miller at 138 as he got pinned by that Central kid earlier in the season and he wasn’t even a starter in November, but he really stepped up for us today,” Hall added.

Alcoa coach Brian Gossett was happy with how his Tornadoes performed. 

“We qualified 10 of the 11 we brought and had six region champs, so that’s pretty good, but Hixson showed what kind of depth they have today.  We’re still trying to catch them.  I like how we fought today and I’m looking forward to next weekend,” Gossett smiled.

Hixson led the way with seven individual champs, including 132-pound Jeremiah Shackleford, who was named Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weights after improving to 48-8 for the season with two pins Saturday, including a 44-second win in the finals.

Alcoa’s Ryan Wimbley, who won the 152-pound title with a 10-4 decision, was the Outstanding Wrestler for the upper weights.

Other winners for the Wildcats included Trevor Lewis at 120, Vladimir Hollingshead at 126, Miller at 138, Chris Rogers at 145 and Parrish Pacetti at 220.

Kaleb Mayes (152), Kobie Smith (160) and Devotis McCurdy (285) all finished second for the Wildcats while Chris Lagorio (106), Jonas Vandergriff (170), Jaheem Culberson (182) and Silas Minton (195) all claimed third.

Alcoa’s six champions included Gordon McCall at 106, Ryan Wimbley at 152, Anthony Jones at 160, William Carter at 170, Kambell Brown at 195 and Lance Williams at 285.

The only other champion was Cumberland County’s Grayson Hale, who had a second-period pin at 182.

Perhaps the most impressive individual of the tournament was Alcoa heavyweight Williams.  He’s just a 14-year-old freshman, but he improved to 31-0 with a pin over Hixson’s McCurdy, the third time he’s pinned the Hixson senior, who is now 41-9 for the season.

FINAL TEAM SCORES: 1. Hixson 249; 2. Alcoa 169.5; 3. Upperman 98; 4. Central 86; 5. Polk Co. 75; 6. Greenback 45; 7. Sale Creek 38; 8. Cumberland Co. 31; 9. Tyner 22; 10. Brainerd 18; 11. Livingston Academy 9; 12. Kingston 0.

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – Gordon McCall (Alcoa) major dec. Tyler Tolzman (Polk Co.), 17-4;

113 – Conner Leffew (Hixson) won by forfeit over Tyler Barham (Alcoa);

120 – Trevor Lewis (Hixson) pinned Eli Norwood (Sale Creek), :28;

126 – Vladimir Hollingshead (Hixson) pinned Wyatt Coleman (Sale Creek), 4:19;

132 – Jeremiah Shackleford (Hixson) pinned Garrett Shockley (Greenback), :44;

138 – Caleb Miller (Hixson) pinned Jack Neely (Central), 1:57;

145 – Christopher Rogers (Hixson) major dec. Jordan Wright (Central), 12-3;

152 – Ryan Wimbley (Alcoa) dec. Kaleb Mayes (Hixson), 10-4;

160 – Anthony Jones (Alcoa) dec. Kobie Smith (Hixson), 6-4;

170 – William Carter (Alcoa) pinned Caleb West (Upperman), 5:52;

182 – Grayson Hale (Cumberland Co.) pinned Aaron Tipton (Alcoa), 2:29;

195 – Kambell Brown (Alcoa) pinned Zachary Stewart (Upperman), :44;

220 – Parrish Pacetti (Hixson) pinned Donavyn Walker (Central), 2:19;

285 – Lance Williams (Alcoa) pinned Devotis McCurdy (Hixson), 4:20.

CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Chris Lagorio (Hixson) pinned Manuel Cory (Greenback), :45;

113 – No match; only two in weight class;

120 – Ryan Leonard (Upperman) major dec. Noah Pinion (Central), 14-2;

126 – Joshua Emerson (Polk Co.) won by forfeit over Jacob Watkins (Upperman);

132 – Devin Harwell (Alcoa) pinned Jacob Speights (Polk Co.), 2:26;

138 – Patrick Lair (Upperman) pinned Sasha Warner (Polk Co.), 4:55;

145 – Brandon Colon (Alcoa) dec. Jerrel Espy (Polk Co.), 9-7;

152 – Jacob Wright (Central) pinned Demetri Lovick (Tyner), 2:51;

160 – Randall Gray (Central) won by forfeit over Chase Sellers (Greenback);

170 – Jonas Vandergriff (Hixson) pinned Ricardo Cancino (Tyner), 2:12;

182 – Jaheem Culberson (Hixson) pinned Nic Fields (Upperman), 1:35;

195 – Silas Minton (Hixson) pinned Logan Caldwell (Greenback), 2:42;

220 – Xavier Wood (Brainerd) pinned Romeo Candelario (Upperman), 1:12;

285 – Ben Stone (Polk Co.) pinned Jakob Hicks (Cumberland Co.), 1:22.

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

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Kingsport Times-News...

Jeff Birchfield

1 / 5 Dobyns-Bennett's Clint Morrisette is in control of his 170-pound match against James Robinson of Jefferson County during Saturday's Region 1-AAA championships in Church Hill. Morrisette won the division title.

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SPORTS LIVE

D-B wins region, qualifies all 14 wrestlers for state; Volunteer sends 5 to Franklin

JEFF BIRCHFIELD • TODAY AT 1:47 AM

CHURCH HILL — The dream season continues for the Dobyns-Bennett wrestling team.

The Indians captured six individual titles in Saturday’s Region 1-AAA championships at Volunteer, and all 14 D-B wrestlers qualified for next week’s state meet in Franklin.

Cannon Mullins started the finals by capturing the 106-pound weight class and heavyweight Caleb Burleson ended the regional by earning an 8-7 decision over Morristown West’s Don McAmis.

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The Indians won the team title with 239.5 points. Science Hill was runner-up with 178.

“I’m so proud of everybody and the way everybody responded,” D-B coach Wesley Idlette said. “To take all 14 wrestlers to the state tournament, that’s big for the program. They’ve got one more week to chase that dream. Everybody set a goal at the beginning of the season and now they’re in position to chase that goal.”

Brennan Watkins (126), Jackson Hurst (145), Clint Morrisette (170) and Aidan Rhoton (182) also captured individual crowns. Four others — Gavin Armstrong (113), Greyson Cunningham (120), Eli Whitley (132) and Tre Morrisette (160) — reached the finals. Shane Lemons (138), Patrick Mitchell (152), Eli Smith (195) and Jesse Greer (220) also earned a trip to state.

“Aidan, for him as a freshman at that weight, wrestle a senior and come out victorious, that was big for him,” Idlette said. “Jackson is a great wrestler. He controlled the match (against Science Hill’s Jahkye Aples) the way he wanted to. Clint and Tre feed off each other. They’re competitive with each other and they’re competitive on the mat. I’m proud of both of them.”

TUCKER BOYS SOAR

Volunteer had five wrestlers advance to the state tournament, highlighted by the individual championships for brothers Ben and Alex Tucker. Freshman Ben Tucker beat D-B’s Armstrong in an 8-0 major decision in the 113 finals. Alex Tucker, a senior, pinned Levi Grunder of Science Hill in the 195 final.

“This means everything because we’ve been wrestling since we were small kids and to see the progress pay off,” Alex Tucker said. “This is the only year I will be in high school with my brother. I cannot wait to compete with my brother at state.”

Jacob Gladson (160) and Ethan Rimer (285) each finished third in their respective weight classes for the Falcons, and Evan Glass was fourth at 106.

OTHER CHAMPIONS

Science Hill had three champs: Tyler Seeley (132), Joseph Frye (152) and Jared Harter (160), who scored a 7-5 decision over Tre Morrisette. Two Jefferson County grapplers, Landon Fisher (138) and Ryver Shelton (220), won titles and Perry Roller of Tennessee High won the 120 weight class.

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REGION 1-AAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saturday

Team results

1. Dobyns-Bennett 239.5, 2. Science Hill 178, 3. Jefferson County 136.5, 4. Morristown East 91.5, 5. Volunteer 91, 6. Morristown West 68, 7. Tennessee High 56, 8. David Crockett 48, 9. Daniel Boone 31, 10. Cocke County 8

Championship round

106—Cannon Mullins (D-B) 10-3 dec. over Jeremiah Skeen (MW)

113—Ben Tucker (Vol) major dec. 8-0 over Gavin Armstrong (D-B)

120—Perry Roller (TH) pin Greyson Cunningham (D-B), 3:54

126—Brennan Watkins (D-B) dec. 6-3 over Javelle Gillespie (SH)

132—Tyler Seeley (SH) pin Eli Whitley (D-B), 1:02

138—Landon Fisher (JC) dec. 10-6 over Braxton Mann (SH)

145—Jackson Hurst (D-B) dec. 3-0 over Jahkye Aples (SH)

152—Joseph Frye (SH) dec. 6-2 over Logan Fisher (JC)

160—Jared Harter (SH) dec. 7-5 over Tre Morrisette (D-B)

170—Clint Morrisette (D-B) pin James Robinson (JC), 3:10

182—Aidan Rhoton (D-B) pin Hunter Bryant (JC), 2:58

195—Alex Tucker (Vol) pin Levi Grunder (SH) , 3:29

220—Ryver Shelton (JC) pin Jacob Spurlock (Boone), 3:36

285—Caleb Burleson (D-B) dec. 8-7 over Don McAmis (MW)

Third-place consolation

106—Ethan Stroud (ME) 19-4 tech. fall over Evan Glass (Vol)

113—Juan Ramos (MW) pin Junior Garcia (ME), 5:26

120—Giovanni Demetrikopolos (SH) pin Parker Sams (DC), 3:43

126—Landon Nelson (TH) dec. 5-1 over Guillermo Rodriguez (JC)

132—Rolando Duarte (ME) pin Keith Ankers (TH), 4:00

138—Shane Lemons (D-B) tech. fall 17-2 over Jonathan Reed (ME)

145—Lane Weatherford (JC) pin David Thompson (ME), 1:27

152—Teagan Waycaster (DC) pin Patrick Mitchell (D-B), 5:15

160—Jacob Gladson (Vol) forfeit over Jesse Bowman (Boone)

170—Liam Medina (SH) major dec. 17-8 over Julio Belmone (ME)

182—Damien Vance (DC) dec. 2-0 over Gerry Sapp (ME)

195—Eli Smith (D-B) pin Dylan Ashley (JC), 1:36

220—Sonny Watson (MW) forfeit over Jesse Greer (D-B)

285—Ethan Rimer (Vol) pin Keimel Redford (SH) , 2:59

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No Surprises up in KY...

Union Co. Wrestling Team wins 5th consecutive state title

 

 

Union Co. Wrestling Team wins 5th consecutive state title

February 15, 2020 at 4:50 PM CST - Updated February 15 at 6:44 PM

UNION CO., Ky. (WFIE) - The Union County High School Wrestling Team has won its fifth straight state title.

It happened at the state championship competition in Lexington.

Last year, the Braves set a Kentucky record, winning four-straight state titles and this year, they made it five.

Union County continues its wrestling dynasty in dominating fashion. They clinched this year’s title before the semifinals even wrapped up.

It’s the 12th state title in program history, and it’s their sixth in the last seven years.

Union County also set a record for sending nine wrestlers to the final round. The Braves also broke the state record for most points in a state meet with 262 points, which they did in the semifinal round.

It was an incredible run for Union County in 2020.

A pep rally is set to take place at Union County High School on Sunday at 3 p.m.

TV 14 News

https://www.14news.com/2020/02/15/union-co-wrestling-team-wins-th-consecutive-state-title/

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More on the Bear Nation Surprise, from Mr John Hunt...

Bradley Surprises Cleveland In 4-AAA Wrestling

Baylor Rolls In D-II While Signal Mountain Takes Second In 3-A/AA

Saturday, February 15, 2020 - by John Hunt

The Bradley Bears claimed five individual titles in the Region 4-AAA wrestling tournament at Rhea County High School Saturday, but more importantly, they qualified all 14 individuals for next week’s traditional state tournament and they beat arch-rival Cleveland in the process.

The Bears, who were third in last weekend’s state duals, advanced 10 to the championship finals and won half of them as they finished the day with 234.5 points.

Cleveland, who won its third straight duals title last Saturday and will be looking for a three-peat in the traditional tournament, finished a close second with 224.5 points.  The Blue Raiders also qualified all 14 individuals for next week.

 

Soddy Daisy was third with 116 points and eight qualifiers while East Hamilton and Walker Valley were fourth and fifth overall with 92.5 and 73 points, respectively.  The Hurricanes will take six next weekend while the Mustangs will have five.

While Bradley was winning a close one over Cleveland in the AAA division, the Baylor Red Raiders were winning the Division II East region tournament with 300.5 points and eight champions.

McCallie was a distant second with 230 points and five champs while MBA was third with 156, Boyd-Buchanan fourth with 85 and Knoxville Webb fifth with 77.

Nolensville was the champion of Region 3-A/AA with 221 points while Signal Mountain was second with 180.  Eagleville, Forrest and Whitwell completed the top five teams with 139.5, 134 and 126 points, respectively.

Bradley got championship performances from Ethan Wilson at 106, Easton Lipsey at 113 and Luke Belcher at 120 to begin the finals while Gavin Hughes (132) and Seth Gregory (138) also won titles while defeating Cleveland wrestlers in the finals.

Taron Patterson (126), Anthony Lynn (152), Tyrone McDonald (182), Gavin Sewell (220) and Austin McClure (285) finished second for the Bears.

Cleveland, like Bradley, had 10 in the finals, but could only produce four champions, including Trae McDaniel at 126, Cael Laxton at 152, Nate Schilling at 160 and Ashton Davis at 220.

Bentley Ellison (106), Arlo Laxton (113), Jackson Bradford (120), Blake Randall (132), Burns Meagher (138) and Zach Brezna (170) all finished second for the Blue Raiders.

Soddy Daisy and East Hamilton both had two champs while Walker Valley had one. 

Winning for the Trojans was Cole Prestwood at 145 and Hayden Maynor at 182 while East Hamilton’s two winners included Cade Meeks at 170 and Jason Brumlow at 195.  Walker Valley’s Jadon Langford was the winner for Walker Valley at 285.

“That was badly needed for our team and really felt good,” said Bradley coach Ben Smith after arriving back on the Bradley campus early Saturday night.

“We feel like we have some guys who can go with those from Cleveland and Wilson Central, but today was a day where our guys took care of business.  We finally got over the hump in some matches and I felt like our momentum just picked up through the finals as we were able to keep our distance from Cleveland.

“We showed that we can compete and we have 14 young men who can score a lot of points next weekend.  I felt like we wrestled well with very little stress.  It wasn’t a bad day for Bradley wrestling,” said the likable Smith, now in his ninth year as the Bradley boss.

Cleveland coach Joey Knox felt like the opening round was the downfall for his team as Cleveland had nine byes out of 14 weight classes.  Meanwhile, Bradley was recording pins and building a 30-point lead.

Turns out, the early deficit was too much for the Blue Raiders to overcome.

“I don’t think we lost a single match in that first round, but we were down by 30 with all the byes and just couldn’t climb back in it,” said Knox later.

“I felt like we lost two matches we should have won, but we have a young team and that’s just growing pains.  I’m just glad it happened this weekend and not next.  We started off behind the eight ball, clawed our way back in and got within a shot of winning, but this just shows we have to be ready to wrestle every time we step on the mat,” Knox added in his usual soft tone.

Top-ranked Baylor had another strong performance in their own gym as they won this tournament by more than 70 points over arch-rival McCallie.

The Red Raiders had eight individual champs while McCallie had five and MBA one.

“Our guys were rocking and rolling today as they scored a lot of bonus points,” related Baylor coach Ben Nelson after the competition had ended for the day.

“We won everywhere we expected to win and I was really proud of Anthony Mannella, who got an upset at 152 that we were all happy about. 

“I thought we took care of business and will be taking 13 next weekend as we look forward to another opportunity to perform at a high level.  I’m not sure how many of these we’ve won in a row, but I’m pretty sure it’s at least six,” Nelson concluded.

Baylor’s champions included Nick Cordey at 106, Jackson Bond at 113, Noah Horst at 132, Garrison Dendy at 138, Mannella at 152, Connor Duffy at 182, David Harper at 195 and Barrett Chambers at 220.

McCallie’s five champs included Jack Braman at 120, Emory Taylor at 126, Alex Whitworth at 160, Gavin Cagle at 170 and James Howard at 285.

The only other champ was MBA’s Robby Barnes at 145.

Nolensville claimed four individual titles and advanced 11 to next week’s tournament while Signal Mountain also had four champs and qualified eight.  Eagleville and Forrest both had two winners while Whitwell and Howard had one champ each.

Signal Mountain got victories from Caleb Uhorchuk at 106, Noah Shriner at 113 and Daniel Uhorchuk at 120 to begin the championship round, but Kevin Muschel was the only other champion for the Eagles.

Meanwhile, the Knights got wins from Riley Lippincott at 126, Jacob Vogelpohl at 138, Gavin Channell at 152 and McKinley Wagner at 195 to maintain an early lead to the end.

Signal’s other qualifiers, in addition to the four champions and runner-up Preston Worley at 160, included Kale Albritton at 132, Clay Gallant at 138 and Brock Shipley at 152, all finishing third.

Howard’s Jermichael Young beat Nolensville’s Bailey Black with a 3-2 overtime decision to claim the 220-pound title while Whitwell’s James Headrick posted a first-period pin to win a region title at 285.

Next week’s tournament will begin on Thursday for the AAA teams while the A-AA and D-II participants will join the fray on Friday. 

Every individual who placed in the top four of their respectively tournament advance to next week's traditional state tournament in Franklin.

REGION 4-AAA TEAM SCORES: 1. Bradley 234.5; 2. Cleveland 224.5; 3. Soddy Daisy 116; 4. East Hamilton 92.5; 5. Walker Valley 73; 6. McMinn Co. 53.5; 7. Ooltewah 43; 8. Rhea Co. 17.

4-AAA CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – Ethan Wilson (Bradley) dec. Bentley Ellison (Cleveland), 6-1;

113 – Easton Lipsey (Bradley) dec. Arlo Laxton (Cleveland), 7-4;

120 – Luke Belcher (Bradley) dec. Jackson Bradford (Cleveland), 8-6 in overtime;

126 – Trae McDaniel (Cleveland) pinned Taron Patterson (Bradley), 1:20;

132 – Gavin Hughes (Bradley) won by injury default over Blake Randall (Cleveland);

138 – Seth Gregory (Bradley) dec. Burns Meagher (Cleveland), 5-0;

145 – Cole Prestwood (Soddy Daisy) dec. Kyle Cooley (McMinn Co.), 6-1;

152 – Cael Laxton (Cleveland) pinned Anthony Lynn (Bradley), 1:10;

160 – Nate Schilling (Cleveland) dec. Landon Lewis (Soddy Daisy), 7-3;

170 – Cade Meeks (East Hamilton) dec. Zach Brezna (Cleveland), 7-1;

182 – Hayden Maynor (Soddy Daisy) dec. Tyrone McDonald (Bradley), 6-1;

195 – Jason Brumlow (East Hamilton) dec. Kallum Lowe (Walker Valley), 3-2;

220 – Ashton Davis (Cleveland) dec. Gavin Sewell (Bradley), 7-0;

285 – Jadon Langford (Walker Valley) dec. Austin McClure (Bradley), 5-3.

4-AAA CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Aaron Walker (East Hamilton) major dec. Lincoln Harvey (Soddy Daisy), 10-2;

113 – Hunter Bankes (Soddy Daisy) pinned Caleb Hickman (Rhea Co.), 2:09;

120 – Tristan Hight (Soddy Daisy) pinned Alex McCord (Walker Valley), 2:28;

126 – Maclain Otting (East Hamilton) dec. Robby Thomas (Ooltewah), 6-1;

132 – Dylan Ricker (McMinn Co.) pinned Jacob Allen (Soddy Daisy), :36;

138 – Gage Boggess (McMinn Co.) pinned Roman Evans (Ooltewah), 2:08;

145 – Garrett Stevenson (Cleveland) dec. Ben Stansberry (Bradley), 6-4 in overtime;

152 – Gavin Hamrick (Soddy Daisy) pinned Alexander Wright (Ooltewah), 4:33;

160 – Knox Watson (Bradley) major dec. Allen Lewis (East Hamilton), 15-2;

170 – Caleb Jeffers (Bradley) won by technical fall over Francisco Campos (Rhea Co.), 5:00;

182 – Tetoe Boyd (Cleveland) dec. Heath Tanksley (Walker Valley), 5-3;

195 – Riley Harris (Cleveland) won by forfeit over Cody McDaniel (Bradley);

220 – Dennis Pedigo (Ooltewah) pinned Jacob Anderson (Walker Valley), 1:25;

285 – Javarrius Dunnigan (East Hamilton) dec. Nick Nicodemis (Cleveland), 3-1 in overtime.

D-II EAST TEAM SCORES: 1. Baylor 300.5; 2. McCallie 230; 3. Montgomery Bell Academy 156; 4. Boyd-Buchanan 85; 5. Knoxville Webb 77; 6. Notre Dame 66; 7. Christian Academy of Knoxville 53; 8. Chattanooga Christian 46; 9. Grace Christian of Knoxville 42; 10. Friendship Christian 38; 11. Knoxville Catholic 30; 12. Donelson Christian 6; 13. St. Andrew’s-Sewanee 3; 14. King’s Academy 0.

D-II CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – Nick Cordey (Baylor) pinned Tate Williams (Boyd-Buchanan);

113 – Jackson Bond (Baylor) won by technical fall over Nicholas Ridings (McCallie), 5:00;

120 – Jack Braman (McCallie) pinned Kade Hartline (Baylor), 3:28;

126 – Emory Taylor (McCallie) won by technical fall over Will Higgins (MBA), 4:42;

132 – Noah Horst (Baylor) won by technical fall over Frank Perazzini (MBA), 4:03;

138 – Garrison Dendy (Baylor) pinned Adam Garfinkel (MBA), 1:04;

145 – Robby Barnes (MBA) dec. Dominick Coker (Boyd-Buchanan), 9-8;

152 – Anthony Mannella (Baylor) dec. Dan McGuire (MBA), 6-2;

160 – Alex Whitworth (McCallie) dec. Omaury Alvarez (Baylor), 5-3;

170 – Gavin Cagle (McCallie) dec. Ronald Garriques (Baylor), 6-4;

182 – Connor Duffy (Baylor) pinned Chase Looper (McCallie), :46;

195 – David Harper (Baylor) pinned Gabe Fisher (MBA), 1:02;

220 – Barrett Chambers (Baylor) pinned David Dixon (Boyd-Buchanan), 2:52;

285 – James Howard (McCallie) pinned Ryan Jackson (Friendship Christian), 3:48.

D-II CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Ellis Haney (McCallie) dec. A.J. Jolley (Chattanooga Christian), 7-5;

113 – Bob Deitch (Notre Dame) pinned Matthew Tieng (Knox. Webb), 2:35;

120 – Chase Eakes (Friendship Christian) dec. Ben Beaver (Knoxville Grace), 4-1;

126 – Ryan Tisdale (Baylor) dec. Parker Sapp (CAK), 6-2;

132 – Nathan Harris (CAK) major dec. Ian Herring (McCallie), 15-3;

138 – Francisco Palacios (Notre Dame) dec. Hawk Dunn (CAK), 9-4;

145 – Chase Radpour (Baylor) dec. Rand Holtzclaw (McCallie), 6-1;

152 – Frankie Zahrobsky (McCallie) pinned Alexander Coker (Boyd-Buchanan), 2:36;

160 – Julian Waters (Boyd-Buchanan) major dec. Lachlan Brandt (Chattanooga Christian), 9-1;

170 – Kaden White (Knox. Catholic) dec. Jake Fuller (Knox. Webb), 7-2;

182 – Dominic Vance (Knox. Webb) pinned Mason Skeeters (MBA), 3:43;

195 – Leonardo Bonifacio (Knox. Webb) pinned Coen Campbell (McCallie), 1:56;

220 – Brik Boruff (Knox. Webb) pinned Noah Bruhin (Knox. Grace), 4:03;

285 – Jacob Brigman (Notre Dame) pinned Joseph Moore (MBA), :20.

REGION 3-A/AA TEAM SCORES: 1. Nolensville 221; 2. Signal Mountain 180; 3. Eagleville 139.5; 4. Forrest 134; 5. Whitwell 126; 6. East Ridge 88; 7. Red Bank 74; 8. East Nashville 57; 9. Howard 53; 10. Sequatchie Co. 50; 11. Watertown 35; 12. Cascade 26; 13. Marshall 24; 14. Stratford 19; 15. Tennessee School for the Blind 7.

REGION 3-A/AA CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – Caleb Uhorchuk (Signal Mountain) dec. Cole Dorsett (Nolensville), 7-0;

113 – Noah Shriner (Signal Mountain) pinned Seth McCoy (Forrest), 1:43;

120 – Daniel Uhorchuk (Signal Mountain) dec. Brody McLemore (Eagleville), 9-3;

126 – Riley Lippencott (Nolensville) pinned Brice Barton (Whitwell), 4:45;

132 – Gabriel Pennington (Eagleville) major dec. Micah McClendon (Forrest), 9-0;

138 – Jacob Vogelpohl (Nolensville) pinned Erik Johnson (Eagleville), 1:07;

145 – Kevin Muschel (Signal Mountain) pinned Amado Gomez (Whitwell), :35;

152 – Gavin Channell (Nolensville) pinned Jacob Roberts (Whitwell), 3:05;

160 – Wyatt McLemore (Eagleville) dec. Preston Worley (Signal Mountain), 8-7;

170 – Nick McClendon (Forrest) pinned Caden Cline (Red Bank), :15;

182 – Noah Hill (Forrest) pinned Jason Dennis (Eagleville), 2:47;

195 – McKinley Wagner (Nolensville) dec. Jerry Campbell (East Nashville), 11-6;

220 – Jermichael Young (Howard) dec. Bailey Black (Nolensville), 3-2 in overtime;

285 – James Headrick (Whitwell) pinned Kaymon Overton (East Nashville), 1:40.

3-A/AA CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Malikhi Johnson (Red Bank) won by technical fall over Jacob Pennington (Eagleville), 21-5;

113 – Kyle Harper (Red Bank) pinned Collin Thomas (East Ridge), 1:00;

120 –Tate Crowell (Nolensville) pinned Braiden Vanderploeg (Forrest), :30;

126 – Perrin Clark (East Ridge) pinned Andrew Green (Watertown), :32;

132 – Kale Albritton (Signal Mountain) pinned Matthew Schutt (Stratford), :22;

138 – Clay Gallant (Signal Mountain) major dec. Carson Blackwell (Forrest), 13-1;

145 – Sean Allen (Nolensville) major dec. Hunter Pendley (Forrest), 15-4;

152 – Brock Shipley (Signal Mountain) pinned Aaron Foster (Marshall), :34;

160 – Gavin Rich (Nolensville) pinned Alex Moore (Whitwell), :27;

170 – Joshua Bryant (Nolensville) dec. Donovin Darnell (Eagleville), 8-3;

182 – Lloyd Pinheiro (East Ridge) pinned Nathan Montpool (Nolensville), :15;

195 – Mason Keel (Whitwell) pinned Alexander Pirok (East Ridge), 1:38;

220 – Christian Wampler (East Ridge) pinned Seth Lacy (Red Bank), 1:02;

285 – Ontarrious Woodruff (Howard) pinned Isaac Stutts (Watertown), 1:17.

(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail)

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No Ga...

Sports: Preps

Chattooga, Sonoraville win GHSA wrestling state traditional titles

February 15th, 2020 | by Patrick MacCoon

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Chattooga senior wrestler Luis Medina celebrates his 26-second pin of Dade County's Ian Howell in the Class AA 285-pound state final during the GHSA traditional tournament Saturday in Macon, Ga. The Indians swept the classification's team state championships this season.

MACON, Ga. — Chattooga High School wrestlers finished their season in dominant fashion as senior 285-pounder Luis Medina let out an enormous roar after pinning his way to victory in just 26 seconds to repeat as state champion.

For the first time in program history, the Indians swept the GHSA Class AA team titles. After winning the state duals championship last month at the Macon Centreplex, they rolled to the traditional tournament crown Saturday at the same site and set a program record with five individual champions.

One of those was 145-pounder Mason Sterner, a 5-1 winner in the finals. After his hand was raised, the senior celebrated his first individual state title with a special embrace.

"Immediately after I won, all that was going through my mind was my mom," Sterner said. "She was just diagnosed with cancer a few weeks back, and I was doing this all for her. I ran up to the crowd right after, and I had to give her a hug. I love her, and she means so much to me."

With all seven GHSA classifications competing at the sold-out Centreplex, a dozen area wrestlers won individual titles and Class AAA's Sonoraville — after losing to North Hall in the state duals final — secured its third straight traditional championship.

The Phoenix edged North Hall in team points, 194.5-189.5, and had three champions: 126-pound Eli Knight, who finished a 27-0 season, 170-pound Jebb Knight (25-3) and 195-pound Charlie Brown (37-1), who held on for an intense 1-0 victory over Jackson County's Tyler Wester in the finals.

"As tough as this sport is, I will always love it," Sonoraville senior Hector Arbos said. "We came out and put it all on the line. I think people will remember us as one of the best teams ever in school history. We wouldn't have done this without our coaches. They always push us to be the best we can be."

PHOTO GALLERY

2020 GHSA wrestling state traditional tournament

 

 

View 8 Photos

Chattooga's Griffin Jarrett, battling a sore knee and sporting a black eye, beat Spencer's Malik Hardy 10-5 in the 113-pound final to win his fourth straight title.

"I set this goal a long time ago, and to win a fourth title is so amazing," said Jarrett, who was 49-3 as a senior. "All I could think about walking out here was our team's theme song, which starts, 'I can feel it coming in the air tonight.'"

"I love this team, and it means a lot to be the most dominant class in school history. I was happy for all of our guys. Mason's win really got me emotional, too. It was awesome to see him and everyone enjoy what we were all able to do together this season."

The Indians finished with 190.5 points — a whopping 73 more than runner-up Oglethorpe County.

Chattooga's other individual champs were 120-pounder Wes Conley (32-2), who went from leading by a point to winning 10-5, and 220-pounder Alex Mears (47-2), who battled through a tiebreaker to triumph 8-3. The Indians' five champions have a combined dozen individual state titles in their prep careers.

Medina, who lost just once in 41 matches this season — to Class AAAAAAA champion Dylan Fairchild from West Forsyth — pinned his way to all three of his victories in Macon. The only other local champions to also win every one of their matches at state by pin were Dalton 106-pounder Cole Hunt, who won all four of his AAAAAA matches in the first period, and Dade County 132-pounder Cayden Cooper in AA.

Cooper finished his title run with a pin in 1:09, coincidentally the same amount of time it took for Dalton's Hunter Noland to win by fall at 138 pounds. Noland, a junior, was the 126-pound champion in 2019. Cooper's teammate Dakota Johnson (160) also placed first to help the Wolverines finish third with 113 points.

Trion, despite having no individual champions, just missed sweeping the Class A team awards. The Bulldogs beat Commerce for the duals championship last month, ending that program's run of six straight titles in the event, but Trion was edged by the Tigers for the traditional title, 159-157.5.

Chattooga's Jakoby Cottrell (170) and Ty Veatch (195) finished second, and all of the Indians who contributed points helped put a stamp on the dominant showing.

"This is what they have worked for since October," coach Brian Beasley said. "Even those who fell short, all the points scored were big to us. All of our guys are happy for each other. They are such a tight-knit bunch, and it really was a fun season and everything we could have dreamed of."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

Edited February 17, 2020 by Sommers