Wrestling Updates and Tidbits...

[Sommers]

 

 

 

Former Blackman assistant Eric Sacharczyk to head up Riverdale wrestling program

CECIL JOYCE | MURFREESBORO DAILY NEWS JOURNAL

5:00 a.m. CDT Apr. 13, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0:00

0:00

 

Video

Eric Sacharczyk was a vital part of the Blackman wrestling program as an assistant over the past five years.

He will now be a rival of the Blaze, taking over as head coach of the Riverdale program.

"It's exciting," said Sacharczyk, who was a health sciences teacher at Rockvale this year but said that the "plan was" to move over to Riverdale. "The first thing that stands out to me is the support from the administration."

Sacharczyk's son, Brooks, recently completed his senior season and won the Class AAA state title in the 182-pound division.

"It's good timing, with Brooks going off to college," Sacharczyk said. "He's interested in getting a degree in education, and he wants to coach. For the amount of time we spent together as a coach and wrestler, it would be nice to coach with him. Hopefully I can build a program to pass along to him."

 

 

Former Blackman assistant wrestling coach Eric Sacharczyk is shown during a 2019 practice. Sacharczyk will take over the Riverdale wrestling program next season.  

HELEN COMER/DNJ

His daughter, Morgan, was a freshman this season for Blackman and finished as a state medalist in the girls individual tournament. Sacharczyk said she has "expressed a desire" to go to Riverdale.

Former Blackman Middle wrestling coach Dario Rudas, who also assisted at Blackman High this past season, will be moving over to assist Sacharczyk at Riverdale, Sacharczyk said.

More: Sacharczyk siblings headline DNJ's 2020 all-area wrestling teams

Sacharczyk previously coached at Christian Brothers in Memphis for eight seasons before coming to Blackman. He was part of a highly successful program over recent years under coach Ronnie Bray. The Blaze finished fourth in state duals and third as a team in the state individual tournament in 2020.

[cbg]

22 hours ago, Sommers said:

 

 

 

Former Blackman assistant Eric Sacharczyk to head up Riverdale wrestling program

CECIL JOYCE | MURFREESBORO DAILY NEWS JOURNAL

5:00 a.m. CDT Apr. 13, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0:00

0:00

 

Video

Eric Sacharczyk was a vital part of the Blackman wrestling program as an assistant over the past five years.

He will now be a rival of the Blaze, taking over as head coach of the Riverdale program.

"It's exciting," said Sacharczyk, who was a health sciences teacher at Rockvale this year but said that the "plan was" to move over to Riverdale. "The first thing that stands out to me is the support from the administration."

Sacharczyk's son, Brooks, recently completed his senior season and won the Class AAA state title in the 182-pound division.

"It's good timing, with Brooks going off to college," Sacharczyk said. "He's interested in getting a degree in education, and he wants to coach. For the amount of time we spent together as a coach and wrestler, it would be nice to coach with him. Hopefully I can build a program to pass along to him."

 

 

Former Blackman assistant wrestling coach Eric Sacharczyk is shown during a 2019 practice. Sacharczyk will take over the Riverdale wrestling program next season.  

HELEN COMER/DNJ

His daughter, Morgan, was a freshman this season for Blackman and finished as a state medalist in the girls individual tournament. Sacharczyk said she has "expressed a desire" to go to Riverdale.

Former Blackman Middle wrestling coach Dario Rudas, who also assisted at Blackman High this past season, will be moving over to assist Sacharczyk at Riverdale, Sacharczyk said.

More: Sacharczyk siblings headline DNJ's 2020 all-area wrestling teams

Sacharczyk previously coached at Christian Brothers in Memphis for eight seasons before coming to Blackman. He was part of a highly successful program over recent years under coach Ronnie Bray. The Blaze finished fourth in state duals and third as a team in the state individual tournament in 2020.

He was teaching at Rockvale so why didn't he begin the program at Rockvale and not at Riverdale?  Just asking.

[SAC]

On 4/15/2020 at 9:13 AM, cbg said:

He was teaching at Rockvale so why didn't he begin the program at Rockvale and not at Riverdale?  Just asking.

They have a program and already had a coach. This definitely wasn’t something I was looking for. It had more to do with timing than anything else. 

If the part about the “plan was” is confusing... that had to do with my teaching position. I was hired to teach Emergency Medical Responder and eventually EMT. I just retired from the fire service in July. There was some initial uncertainty if I would still continue to teach at Rockvale.

My staff and I are very excited for this awesome opportunity. We are looking forward to getting together with our team and laying out plans for the future. 

Until then, I hope everyone stays healthy and safe. 

[Sommers]

Chattanoogan...

 

Ulric Winesburgh Named Soddy Daisy Wrestling Coach

Former Trojan Graduate Was A State Champ For Soddy Daisy In 2007

Thursday, April 23, 2020 - by John Hunt

Ulric Winesburgh has been named the new head wrestling coach for the Soddy Daisy Trojans. Among those pictured, from left to right, are Jared Hensley, Soddy Daisy athletic director, Winesburgh and Trojan principal Steve Henry.

- photo by John Hunt

Ulric Winesburgh is a 2007 graduate of Soddy Daisy High School where he was an individual state champion on a team of Trojans that won a state wrestling title as well.

He learned a lot from then-head coach Steve Henry and decided at that point that being the head coach for his alma mater would be his dream job.

The 30-year-old UTC graduate is about to get his chance.

Soddy Daisy has been among the state powerhouses in wrestling for a long time as the Trojans have captured seven state titles since 1989, including four duals titles and three traditional ones.

 

 

Next Up

NEXT UP

 

High School Wrestling

Wrestling: Nolensville, Fairview grapplers highlight WillCo contingent on TSWA All-State teams

• Herald Sports
•  
  • Apr 23, 2020 Updated 20 hrs ago
  •  
    •  0
    •  
      •  4 min to read

 

Gavin Channell and Kendrick Curtis 

Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam

 

 

The Nolensville Knights landed five wrestlers on the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State teams for Class A-AA, while the Fairview boys added four more All-State nods for Williamson County. Six of the nine wrestlers are underclassmen. 

The Yellow Jackets earned a state runner-up trophy in both the Class A-AA Duals and individual state tournaments earlier this year. Fairview's representatives included Cody DeLano, a 182-pound senior, freshman Kendrick Curtis (152), freshman Malachi Bennett (145) and 138-pound junior Riley Bennett.

Championship Wrestling: Fairview claims 2nd with 9 medalists; Nolensville produces pair of runners-up

Nolensville was highlighted by seniors McKinley Wagner (195), Gavin Channell (152) and Jacob Vogelpohl (138), along with junior Riley Lippincoot (126) and freshman Cole Dorsett (106). 

In Class AAA, Brentwood's pair of state champions Skylar Coffey (285) and Johnny Mac Feldhacker (195) – both seniors – were named All-State, along with Centennial junior 145-pounder Alex Ables. 

In Division II, Logan Spell of Brentwood Academy and Jack Revere of Battle Ground Academy – both 160-pounders – and BA eighth grader Tre McTorry (113) were all recognized. 

The full list, which was released Thursday, is included below. 

 Championship Wrestling: Brentwood's Feldhacker, Coffey earn titles on biggest stage

2020 TSWA All-State Wrestling Teams 

BOYS

Class A-AA

106

Caleb Uhorchuk, Signal Mountain, Fr.

Cole Dorsett, Nolensville, Fr.

Marcus Smith, Gibbs, Fr.

Hunter Gentry, Pigeon Forge, So. 

113

LeAndre Dabney Jr., Greeneville, So.

Gregory Gomez, Martin Luther King, Fr.

Andy Cable, Pigeon Forge, Fr.

Seth McCoy, Forrest, 8th grade 

120

Daniel Uhorchuk, Signal Mountain, Jr.

Trevor Lewis, Hixson, Jr.

Caleb Gumlick, Pigeon Forge, Fr.

Logan Heckert, Sycamore, Fr.

126

Hunter Mason, Greeneville, Fr.

Riley Lippincott, Nolensville, Jr.

Cole McCartney, Greenbrier, Sr.

Noah Dyer, Pigeon Forge, So.

132

Josh Parton, Pigeon Forge, So.

Dalen Kimble, Sycamore, So.

Hunter Johnson, Greeneville, Jr.

Jeremiah Shackleford, Hixson, Sr.

138

Garrett Foreman, Pigeon Forge, So.

Riley Bennett, Fairview, Jr.

Jacob Vogelpohl, Nolensville, Sr.

Christian Moore, Gibbs, Sr. 

145

Kodiak Cannedy, Greeneville, So.

Kevin Muschel, Signal Mountain, Jr.

Malachi Bennett, Fairview, Fr.

Alex Overbay, Sullivan South, Jr.

152

Colby Dalon, Pigeon Forge, So.

Ryan Wimbley, Alcoa, Sr.

Gavin Channell, Nolensville, Sr.

Kendrick Curtis, Fairview, Fr.

160

Wyatt McLemore, Eagleville, Jr.

Preston Worley, Signal Mountain, Jr.

Antonio Washington, Bolton, Sr.

Anthony Jones, Alcoa, Sr.

170

Nick McClendon, Forrest, Sr.

Matthew Trotter, Creek Wood, Sr.

Caden Cline, Red Bank, Sr.

William Carter, Alcoa, Sr. 

182

Noah Hill, Forrest, Jr.

Joseph Skidmore, Pigeon Forge, Jr.

Jason Dennis, Eagleville, Jr.

Cody DeLano, Fairview, Sr. 

195

Jonathan Morton, Elizabethton, Jr.

Caleb Wolfe, Pigeon Forge, Fr.

Kambell Brown, Alcoa, Sr.

McKinley Wagner, Nolensville, Sr.

220

Parrish Pacetti, Hixson, Jr.

Elliott Grinder, Hume-Fogg, Sr.

Ethan Sutton, Pigeon Forge, Jr.

Cameron Hensley, Greeneville, Sr.

285

Lance Williams, Alcoa, Fr.

Garrison Albino, Gibbs, Sr.

Devotis McCurdy, Hixson, Sr.

James Headrick, Whitwell, Sr.

Class AAA

106

Bentley Ellison, Cleveland, Fr.

Ethan Wilson, Bradley Central, Sr.

Keegan Schulz, Munford, Sr.

Nicholas Mercante, Wilson Central, Fr. 

113

Thomas Borders, Wilson Central, Jr.

Justin Bradford, Blackman, So.

Arlo Laxton, Cleveland, So.

Chris Calvin, McGavock Comprehensive, Jr.

120

Trey Bates, Beech, Jr.

Jackson Bradford, Cleveland, Jr.

Andrew Artiles, Collierville, Sr.

Grant Fetters, Wilson Central, Sr. 

126

Trae McDaniel, Cleveland, Jr.

Brennan Watkins, Dobyns Bennett, Jr.

Samuel Shires, Rossview, So.

Mason Sells, Blackman, Fr.

132

Tyler Seeley, Science Hill, Sr.

Ethan Moore, Rossview, Sr.

Gavin Hughes, Bradley Central, Sr.

Franky Medina, Riverdale, Sr. 

138

Christian Isbell, Clarksville, Sr.

Alan Fort, Wilson Central, Jr.

Braxton Mann, Science Hill, Jr.

Landon Fisher, Jefferson County, Jr.

145

Jackson Hurst, Dobyns Bennett, Jr.

Thomas Williams, Rossview, Sr.

Alex Ables, Centennial, Jr.

Dylan Cockman, Arlington, So. 

152

Mason Smith, Beech, Jr.

Levi Stone, Wilson Central, Sr.

Robert Laxton, Cleveland, Jr.

Derrick Bannister, Kenwood, Sr.

160

Tre Morrisette, Dobyns Bennett, Jr.

Dejon Glaster, Oakland, Sr.

Jared Harter, Science Hill, Sr.

Nate Schilling, Cleveland, Sr.

170

Gabriel Smith, Clarksville, Sr.

Josh Pietarila, Hardin Valley, Sr.

Anthony Gomez, Blackman, Sr.

Zach Brezna, Cleveland, Sr.

182

Brooks Sacharczyk, Blackman, Sr.

Hayden Maynor, Soddy Daisy, Sr.

Cooper Richards, Springfield, Sr.

Tyrone McDonald, Bradley Central, Sr.

195

Johnny Mac Feldhacker, Brentwood, Sr.

Jason Brumlow, East Hamilton, Jr.

Joshua Cummins, Anderson County, Jr.

Kallum Lowe, Walker Valley, Jr. 

220

Ashton Davis, Cleveland, So.

Brandon Elkins, Knox Halls, Sr.

Bowdy Boyce, Blackman, Sr.

Ryver Shelton, Jefferson County, Jr.

285

Skylar Coffey, Brentwood, Sr.

Jadon Langford, Walker Valley, Jr.

Jared Dawson, Collierville, Sr.

Gabrille Fletcher, McGavock Comprehensive, Sr.

Championship Wrestling: McTorry of Brentwood Academy leads local DII finishers

 

Division II

106

Nick Cordey, Baylor School, So.

Wills Bronson, Christian Brothers, Fr.

Tate Williams, Boyd-Buchanan, 8th grade

AJ Jolly, Chattanooga Christian, Fr.

113

Jackson Bond, Baylor School, So.

Tre McTorry, Brentwood Academy, 8th grade

Nicholas Ridings, McCallie School, Fr.

Robert Deitch, Notre Dame, Jr.

120

Dayne Dalrymple, Christian Brothers, Jr.

Jack Braman, McCallie School, Jr.

Kade Hartline, Baylor School, Jr.

Chase Eakes, Friendship Christian, Fr.

126

Emory Taylor, McCallie School, Jr.

Thomas Wesnofske, Father Ryan, Jr.

Ryan Tisdale, Baylor School, Fr.

Will Higgins, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.

132

Noah Horst, Baylor School, Sr.

Aidan Bowers, Christian Brothers, So.

Ian McGehee, Memphis University School, Fr.

Frank Perazzini, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr.

138

Garrison Dendy, Baylor School, So.

Sean Pitts, Father Ryan, So.

Adam Garfinkel, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr.

Sebastian Bougeois, St. Benedict, Jr.

145

Evan Anthony, Christian Brothers

Benjamin Marchetti, Father Ryan

Chase Radpour, Baylor School

Rand Holtzclaw of McCallie School 

152

Garrett Bowers, Christian Brothers, Sr.

Lawrence Madson, Father Ryan, Sr.

Christian Howard, Memphis University School, Jr.

Anthony Mannella, Baylor School, Fr.

160

James Whitworth, McCallie, Jr.

Omaury Alvarez, Baylor School, Fr.

Logan Spell, Brentwood Academy, Jr.

Jack Revere, Battle Ground Academy, Jr.

170

Gavin Cagle, McCallie School, Jr.

JaCorey Miller, Father Ryan, Sr.

Ronald Garriques, Baylor School, So.

Gervacio Gonzalez, Christian Brothers, So.

182

Connor Duffy, Baylor School, Sr.

Riley Looper, McCallie School, Sr.

Anthony Wright, Father Ryan, Sr.

Mason Skeeters, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr.

195

David Harper, Baylor School, So.

Parker Petersen, Father Ryan, Jr.

Gabe Fisher, Montgomery Bell Academy, Fr.

Connor Billingsley, Christian Brothers, Jr.

220

Al Wooten, Christian Brothers

Barre Chambers, Baylor School

David Dixon, Boyd-Buchanan

Toleo Malone, Ensworth School

285

James Howard, McCallie School, So.

Ryan Jackson, Friendship Christian, Sr.

Jacob Brigman, Notre Dame, Sr.

Joseph Moore, Montgomery Bell Academy, Jr.

GIRLS

103

Avery Kibelbek, David Crockett, So.

Elizabeth Raper, Cookeville, So.

Ella-lina Gonzalez, West Creek, Fr.

Anna Fisher, Alcoa, Jr.

112

Kerra Strevel, Heritage, Jr.

Verena Pate, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, Fr.

Savanah Barefield, Rossview, Sr.

Jesmarie Negron, Forrest, Sr. 

119

Annalynn Rakett, Clarksville Academy, So.

Tyesha Thomas, Elizabethton, Jr.

Divine Desilets, Tullahoma, Jr.

Emma Wallen, Science Hill, Jr.

125

Robbin Yunis, Rossview, Sr.

Taylor Howell, Clarksville, Sr.

Morgan Sacharczyk, Blackman, Fr.

Kaylee Hayes, Gibbs, Sr.

132

Emma Walker, Rossview, Sr.

Rontaysia Payne, Dickson County, Jr.

Lilly Pendleton, Cheatham County, Sr.

Jaelyn Patton, Stone Memorial, Fr.

140

Saqara Buchanan, Rossview, Sr.

Genesis Gilmore, Montgomery Central, Fr.

Leann Worley, Jefferson County, Jr.

Iliana Pate, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, So.

150

Vivian Hurn, Montgomery Central, Sr.

Elizabeth Champion, Tullahoma, Jr.

Brette Spink, Northwest, So.

Nena Brown, Blackman, So.

160

Maggie Graham, Bartlett, Fr.

Brielle Bissonette, Rossview, Jr.

Taylor Rickley, Northwest, Sr.

Brianna Thompson, Heritage, So.

170

Shelby Zacharias, Creek Wood, Jr.

Rose Gailan, Nashville Overton, Sr.

Mazzy Wilson, Stone Memorial, So.

Lilly Chantler of Clarksville Northwest, Fr.

190

Ariyanna Anderson, Creek Wood, So.

Jamya Brewer, Rossview, Jr.

Kaevon Burney, Clarksville, Sr.

Korrine Abston, Stone Memorial, Jr. 

215

Valerie Smith, McGavock Comprehensive, So.

Jayla Washington, Cordova, Sr.

Taylor Davis, Heritage, Sr.

Trinaty Robinson, Columbia Central, Jr.

Tags

• Tswa
•  
• Tswa All-state Wrestling
•  
• Fairview Wrestling
•  
• Nolensville Wrestling
•  
• Brentwood Wrestling
•  
• Centennial Wrestling
•  
• Brentwood Academy Wrestling
•  
• Battle Ground Academy Wrestlin

.

http://www.williamsonherald.com/sports/wrestling-nolensville-fairview-grapplers-highlight-willco-contingent-on-tswa-all-state-teams/article_a65ddb20-8593-11ea-bc85-57a8f336da50.html

Edited April 25, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

https://www.highschoolot.com/new-wrestling-rules-changes-address-weigh-in-procedures-hair-length-restrictions/19075680/

Previously, a wrestler’s hair could not “extend below the top of an ordinary shirt collar” in the back, below earlobe level on the sides or below the eyebrows in the front. Those confinements, along with the requirement that a hair cover be used for hair that exceeded said limitations, were deleted. Considerable support for this rule change from coaches and officials was generated by an initiative of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, which successfully experimented with relaxed hair restrictions this past winter.

“Removing the hair-length rule is a monumental change,” Hopkins said. “It is important to embrace the current culture of young boys and girls who are expressing themselves through their appearance, making this the perfect opportunity to extend wrestling to young people who otherwise would not be attracted to our sport. While the hair-length restriction has been removed, the requirement that hair control devices/treatment items cannot be hard, abrasive or sharp remains. If a hair cover is used, it shall be attached to the ear guards. Additionally, the barring of oils, or greasy substances on or in the hair is still in effect.”

[Sommers]

Mobile

 

Photo Credit:

Smith Named NWCA Scholar All-American

Sophomore has a 3.85 GPA in Business Analytics.

May. 01, 2020 Wrestling

STORY LINKS

• NWCA SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICANS

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sophomore wrestler Tanner Smith was named Scholar All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association this week.  Smith is a two-time qualifier for the NCAA Tournament with a 3.85 grade-point-average in Business Analytics. 

In order to be considered for the NWCA Scholar All-American honors, individuals must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and be a 2020 NCAA Qualifier or have a 3.2 cumulative GPA and won 60% of total matches.

Smith earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships at 149 pounds before the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  He was 25-9 on the year and the No. 22 seed in the bracket. 

Smith is the 14^th Moc in school history to earn academic honors from the NWCA.  He is also the first since Chad Pyke following the 2018 season. 

PRIOR TO UTC: Spent his true freshman year at Eastern Michigan in 2018 … redshirted but posted a 22-0 mark unattached … won five opens … named the #6 best redshirt in the country … state champion with a 54-1 mark as a senior at Mechanicsburg (Ohio) High School … competed for head coach Cameron Doggett … four-time Academic All-Ohio … member of National Honor Society … also lettered in football.

Edited May 2, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

 Montgomery Central High School State Champ & senior Vivian Hurn was selected as a Tennessee distinguished finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, one of six in the state. 

Board of Education  honor

 

1 of 3

 

Montgomery Central High School JROTC Academic Bowl participants include (from left) Christian Chesser, Julia Easter, Cheyenne Douthitt and Abria Peoples. SUBMITTED

 

 

 

 

Pictured is Montgomery Central High School student Vivian Hurn. SUBMITTED 

https://www.mainstreetclarksville.com/news/board-of-education-virtually-honors-points-of-pride/article_e7ef85c2-9220-11ea-83ce-8f3c180015f4.html

Kudos to educators, coaches and family also!!

Edited May 10, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Nolensville wrestling coach Josh Peck will exit role, returning to Ravenwood to teach

• By Cory Woodroof
•  
  • 23 hrs ago
  •  
    •  0

 

 

After leading the Nolensville High School wrestling program to immediate success, Knights coach Josh Peck will be stepping down from the role. 

Peck announced Monday that he will be returning to Ravenwood High School, where he was a former wrestling coach, to teach robotics and programming. 

Peck spent the first four years with Nolensville building its wrestling program up from the ground. In the 2018-19 season, the team placed second in the state duals competition and has had numerous wrestlers compete in the state individual meets.

"It is with great sadness I announce that I will be leaving Nolensville High School after 4 great years," Peck said in a release. "I have chosen to return to Ravenwood High School so I can spend more time with my family and take on a new challenge teaching robotics and programming.  

"I would like to thank the Nolensville community for their support over the past 4 years. I would especially like to thank the wrestling family that has spent countless hours creating great traditions. I will always have fond memories of the team and everything we accomplished." olensville principal Bill Harlin commended Peck for his time with the team. I want to thank Coach Peck and his staff for four impressive years of accomplishments," Harlin said in a release. "The wrestling team was runner up in the state duals last year, and they had a return trip this year. He did a great job of preparing multiple wrestlers to compete in the state duals and individual state meet. Coach Peck instilled in his wrestlers confidence and a passion for the sport. I appreciate his contributions, and we will be looking to build on his tenure of success."

[Sommers]

Congrats to John Roberts, Beech, the parents, and Baylor coaches for taking Noah to the next level...

Kudos to Noah for the Dave Schultz...

https://goduke.com/news/2020/5/18/wrestling-incoming-wrestler-parker-decker-honored-with-dave-schultz-high-school-excellence-award.aspx

[Sommers]

TOM’s High School Team Regional Rankings: Southeast

 

ByEarl Smith

Posted on 05/26/2020

 

original photo courtesy of Richard Immel

Last month we debuted a new feature on TOM, our high school regional rankings. The feedback we received was incredible, so we decided to take it a step further and break down the top teams from each region. The regional rankings provided an excellent platform for wrestlers that were previously overlooked, so we foresee that being the case for teams that may not get a chance to shine, as well. 

Rankings teams, especially in high school, are certainly not a cut-and-dry process. There are a handful of different criteria used when judging these teams. Results at the state tournament, regular-season tournaments, duals results, and performances by their individuals all are considered. At the high school level, it’s rare to find teams that are dominant in all of those facets. That is true in the Southeast region as even some of the top squads had an off day. 

 

 

Without any further, these are the top 12 teams in the Southeast region. 

12) McCallie School (Tennessee)

Head Coach: Jake Yost

The first of three Tennessee teams in these rankings, McCallie took third place in the Tennessee DII State Championships with 176.5 points, just seven points behind second-place Christian Brothers. McCallie also took third at the dual state tournament. After a narrow loss to Christian Brothers, the Blue Tornado rebounded with a pair of dominating victories to take third place. At the individual tournament, four McCallie wrestlers won state titles Emory Taylor (126), Alex Whitworth (160), Gavin Cagle (170), and James Howard (285). Howard finished the year as the top-ranked 285 lber in the Southeast. It was the third title for Taylor and fourth for Whitworth. Alex is on track to become only the third five-time champion in state history. Cagle also picked up his second. Another pair of Blue Tornado grapplers also made the finals with Jack Braman (120) and Riley Looper (182) doing so. 

Altogether, ten McCallie wrestlers got to the podium for coach Yost. The remaining state medalists were Kenneth Haney (106 – 5th), Nicholas Ridings (113 – 3rd), Ian Herring (132 – 6th), and Rand Holtzclaw (145 – 4th). 

McCallie had an excellent regular season as they were the region’s highest placing team at the Beast of the East. Whitworth took sixth place and Howard was fourth, which led to a 21st place showing overall. They also finished as runners-up at the McCallie Invitational with 225 points, 82 points behind Georgia’s Woodland-Cartersville. Expect McCallie to be even higher up this list next year as all four state champions return, along with one of their runners-up, Braman. 

Three McCallie School wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

11) Christian Brothers (Tennessee)

Head Coach: Derek Harrison

We’ll talk more about Baylor School later, but Christian Brothers were the runner-up to Baylor in both the traditional state tournament and the state dual event. Christian Brothers finished seven points ahead of #12 McCallie School at the tradition tournament. The two also met in the semifinals of the dual state tournament. A fall by Dayne Dalrymple in the final bout of the dual gave Christian Brothers a 34-33 win and sent them to the finals against Baylor School. In their first dual of the tournament, the Purple Wave shut out Chattanooga Christian School 79-0. Christian Brothers saw four of their wrestlers get crowned as state champions at the Tennessee DII state tournament (Dalrymple – 120; Evan Anthony – 145; Garrett Bowers – 152; Al Wooten – 220). 

Another two would make the state finals, but come up just shy of gold with Wills Bronson (106) and Aidan Bowers (132). Both fell to opponents from the Baylor School in the championship final. Five others rounded out the state placers for the Purple Wave with Sam Lee (126 – 5th), Micah Douglass (138 – 5th), Gervacio Gonzalez (170 – 4th), Theo Sewell (182 – 5th), and Connor Billingsley (195 – 4th). 

Christian Brothers finished a respectable fourth place at the Prep Slam with 178 points and a champion (Wooten). That was ahead of Green Farms Academy (CT) and St. Christopher’s (VA), a pair of solid schools on the national prep scene. The team was also 15th at the KC Stampede, a very strong tournament that features some of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas’ best teams. Garrett Bowers was the only Purple Wave wrestler to emerge victorious from the tournament’s gold division. Next year, Christian Brothers will need to replace Bowers and Wooten, but return four other state finalists. 

Three Christian Brothers wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

10) Southwest Miami (Florida)

Head Coach: Mark Arteaga

Southwest Miami had one of the best years in school history, finishing as the runners-up in Florida 3A Classification to South Dade 199-108. That was just a point better than Fleming Island for the second place trophy. A school-record ten Eagle wrestlers qualified for the state tournament, led by five regional champions, another highwater mark. When all was said and done from Kissimmee, Southwest Miami had crowned a pair of state champions (Danny Martinez – 113 and Sebastian Melguizo – 126). Martinez, just a freshman, finished his initial high school campaign with a 68-0 record. Returning state champion Adrian Vidaud (170) was unable to claim his second state title falling in the finals, 4-2. Two more Eagle wrestlers were able to reach the podium when Daniel Cabrera (132) and Jeremiah Mauras (195) both took fifth-place. 

Kevin Placer (106), Gabriel Perez (145), Brandon Moreno (152), Leo Garcia (160), and George Llanas (182) were the remaining qualifiers for Coach Arteaga’s team that did not place at states. The two state champions, Vidaud, Llanas, and Cabrera, account for the school’s five regional winners. 

Southwest Miami participated in one of the biggest high school tournaments in the south, the Knockout Classic and was able to take sixth place with 143.5 points. Martinez was the lone Eagle to win the event and he did so by scoring bonus points in all six of his matches. The team finished a distant second place to South Dade at the GMAC (Greater Miami Athletic Conference), as well. Martinez, along with Vidaud and Llanes, all came away with titles at that event. 

Two Southwest Miami wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

9) Oscar Smith (Virginia)

Head Coach: Donald Motley

The champions at Virginia’s largest classification (6A), Oscar Smith, captured their first state championship in six years and did so without much drama. The Tigers outdistanced second-place Kellam, always a power in the Beach-area, by 54.5 points . This year’s squad saw three Tigers atop the state podium with Trevon Gray (106), David Bragg (120), and Jaden Bullock (170). Bullock was a breakout star nationally, as he made the finals of the Walsh Ironman and placed at the Beast of the East, the Powerade, and Escape the Rock. He has since signed with Michigan. Also joining this trio in the finals was Jaheid Lucas (132) and Zion Carpenter (182). 

Oscar Smith was able to qualify their entire 14-man starting lineup for the Virginia 6A tournament in 2020. After the finalists, four other Tiger wrestlers made it into the top-six, Logan Lacey (138 – 4th), Swahaib Beitazzam (145 – 6th), Sterling Waters (152 – 4th), and Nasir Hughes (220 – 4th). When coach Motley’s crew was third in the state in 2019, they “only” had nine qualifiers. 

Coach Motley was as ambitious as any coach in the region when setting his 2019-20 schedule. The Tigers traveled to the Beast, the Powerade, Escape the Rock, and Virginia Duals, while Bullock went to the Ironman. At the Duals, Oscar Smith scored dual wins over out-of-state competition like South Plainfield (NJ) and St. Augustine Prep (NJ), while also downing #9 New Kent. Oscar Smith’s 63 points at Escape the Rock were good enough for 16th place and second among all Virginia schools (2 points behind Great Bridge). 

It will be interesting to see how Motley reloads in 2020-21. Nine of his 14 state qualifiers were seniors. The only returning state placers will be Trevon Gray and Lucas.

Two Oscar Smith wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

8) New Kent (Virginia)

Head Coach: Mike Faus

A year after stopping perennial power Christiansburg’s 17-year run of Virginia state titles, New Kent was even better in 2019-20. The Trojans edged Christiansburg by 10.5 points in 2019. This year they were able to extend that margin to 19 points, winning the state’s 3A title 235.5 to 216.5. The 2019 title accounted for the first in school history. This year’s squad featured five state champions (Matthew Eberly – 106; Patrick Jordan – 138; Travis Ragland – 145; Nick Vafiadis – 152; and Gannon Jones – 170) amongst their 11 state placewinners. It was the first individual title for all but Vafiadis. Nick won as a freshman in 2019 and placed fifth at Escape the Rock in Pennsylvania. Two other Trojan wrestlers made the state finals with Trace Ragland (120) and Brayden Hohman (160). 

In total, all eleven of New Kent’s state qualifiers found a way to get on the state podium with Daniel Colgin (113 – 6th), Raymond Goode (132 – 4th), Nathaniel Fly (182 – 3rd), and Jamar Christian (220 – 4th). Last year the school had ten wrestlers earn all-state honors. This year’s team was also missing two projected starters for the postseason.

During the regular season, New Kent went undefeated at the Benedictine College Power 5 duals, which featured most of the top teams in the state. There they downed #9 Oscar Smith and private school powers, Benedictine and St. Christopher’s. The win over Oscar Smith was payback for a head-to-head loss at the Virginia Duals, two weeks earlier. Like Oscar Smith, New Kent was very aggressive with their out-of-state scheduling. Some of their stars traveled to the Ironman, while the full team went to the Beast and Escape the Rock. Coach Faus’ crew ended up 35th at the Beast and 22nd at Escape the Rock. 

This is a team that will be a force for years to come. The only seniors among the state placewinners were Jones and Christian. Of their five returning state finalists, only Hohman will be a senior in 2020-21. 

Two New Kent wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

7) South Dade (Florida)

Head Coach: Vic Balmeceda

Another year and another title for the Bucs of South Dade High School. That’s seven-in-a-row, to be exact. Seven ties the state’s second-longest consecutive title-winning streak, though they still have a lot of ground to make up before challenging Brandon’s 17 straight in the early 2000’s. South Dade also has 15 state titles in their storied history, which is also good enough for second behind Brandon, statewide. At the 2020 state tournament, South Dade crushed the field, separating themselves from second-place Southwest Miami by over 90 points. Three Buc wrestlers were able to come away with gold from the state meet with Alex Couto (120), Bretli Reyna (145), and Joshua Swan (152) winning. For Reyna, he captured his fourth state title, along with a belt at the Super 32, and was fourth at the Beast of the East. He’ll attend Iowa next year. Also, making appearances in the state finals for South Dade were Jose Gonzalez (126), Adrian Neco (132), and Steven Villalobos (160).

Four more Buc wrestlers finished their state tournament on the podium as Adrian Morales (106 – 3rd), Cordell White (138 – 3rd), Bryan Valdes (170 – 6th), and Tanaveius Shropshire (220 – 5th), all got into the top six. Jancarlos Rivera (113), Daniel Espino-Delgado (182), and Alejandro Gonzalez (195) rounded out the state qualifiers for Coach Balmeceda’s powerful squad. 

South Dade was also dominant on the dual front, claiming the 3A dual championship with a 57-13 win over Osceola in the finals. The team was also fourth at the Knockout Classic, which saw only two Florida teams outplace them. Although South Dade did not have any champions, they did have four wrestlers place top-four. The Bucs were on another level at the GMAC Championships when they blew out second-place Southwest Miami by 113 points and tallied a stunning 384.5, themselves. 

The drive for an eighth consecutive title will feature a talented returning team, though they’ll have a massive void with the graduation of Reyna. The two other state champions are back, as is one 2020 finalist, Neco. 

Reyna is the only South Dade wrestler who appears in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

6) Tampa Jesuit (Florida)

Head Coach: Sal Basile

There’s definitely an argument to be made for Jesuit High School in Tampa to be above Florida 2A rival Lake Gibson here as both had excellent seasons. Jesuit finished second in the state to Lake Gibson, just 20 points behind. The two schools also squared off in dual action in the regional finals with the Tigers topping Lake Gibson 29-27. Coach Basile’s team would dominate their next two opponents in the state tournament by a combined score of 118-25 to claim the first state title (in any format) in the program’s history. After the win, 106 lber Kai Owen was named TOM’s HS Wrestler of the Week. Four Jesuit wrestlers were able to double-up and earned individual titles of their own, Owen (106), Braden Basile (120), Tom Crook (126), and Ethan Basile (145). Crook finished the year undefeated while the other three had just one setback on their 2019-20 record. The older Basile, Ethan, will continue his career next year at Northern Iowa. 285 lber Mason Arnold was a state finalist, as well.

Four other Jesuit wrestlers were able to win a spot on the medal stand with Jack Crook (132 – 3rd), Alfonso Vargas (138 – 5th), Sergio Desiante (152 – 3rd), Aidan Gingell (160 – 6th). Daniel Vargas (113) and Andre Mortensen (195) both qualified for the state meet but did not medal. 

Jesuit’s schedule saw them attend many of the top regular-season tournaments in the region. First and foremost, is the Knockout Classic. The Tigers were third at the tournament with 203 points, just one and a half behind Georgia’s Woodland HS. Owen and Tom Crook both emerged victorious at the Knockout. Jesuit came away with the title at the Indian Classic in Tennessee, a tournament that featured two teams, Cleveland (TN) and Great Bridge (VA), that just finished outside of the top-12. They also won the Fit 2 Win and the Jerry Mita tournaments. 

Expect Jesuit to be formidable in 2020-21, as well. Aside from Ethan Basile, the other three state champions are all sophomores. Arnold and both third-place finishers will be back, too.

Four Jesuit wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

5) Woodland (Cartersville, Georgia)

Head Coach: Adrian Tramutola

At the Georgia Traditional State Championships, the highest-scoring team (of the seven classifications) was Woodland, who racked up 210 points, which bested second-place Buford by 31 points. The Wildcats also were victorious at the dual state tournament, by dropping Veterans 47-15 in the championship bout. Woodland has won both state tournaments, in each of the last two seasons. Half of Woodland’s individual finalists were able to grab state titles with Caden McCrary (138), Caleb Henson (145), and Jaxon Smith (170), all winning. It was the third state title in as many tries for McCrary and second for Smith. Both have already committed to DI schools before their senior year, with McCrary staying in the south to wrestle for North Carolina and Smith heading to Maryland. Henson had to down a two-time state champ to earn his first and is currently ranked first in the region. He was the only wrestler on Woodland’s team to finish the year unbeaten. 

The additional three state finalists for coach Tramutola’s squad were Colton Bishop (126), Caleb Jones (132), and Cole Cochran (160). Also getting on the podium were Easton Bishop (120 – 3rd), Bryce Collum (152 – 4th), Bryce Shedd (220 – 4th), and Beau Jernigan (285 – 6th). 

Two of the most challenging events on Woodland’s schedule this year were the Knockout Classic and the McCallie Invitational. The Wildcats were able to blow out #8 McCallie School to claim the title 307-225 at their own event. At the Knockout Classic, Woodland came in second to Lake Gibson 218.5 to 204.5. In dual action, Woodland went unbeaten winning titles at the Blackbeard Duals, the Warpath Duals, and the Mountain View Duals. 

Expect Woodland to be a factor again next season as Jones and Collum are the only placewinners that were seniors in 2019-20. 

Four Woodland wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

4) Lake Gibson (Florida)

Head Coach: Danny Walker

For the third consecutive year, Lake Gibson High School won the 2A championship in Florida. The Braves were able to stave off a challenge from Jesuit and prevailed 224-204. A pair of champions, Brendon Abdon (138) and Ashton Habeil (182) paced coach Walker’s team at the state meet in 2020. For Abdon it was his first championship, while it was the third for Habeil. Ashton had an excellent year, suffering his only loss of the season at the Walsh Ironman, where he ended up taking third. Habeil would finish the year ranked 13th in the nation. Four other Lake Gibson wrestlers were able to secure a place in the state finals with Hayden Whidden (106), Connor Williams (126), Evan Butler (145), and Caden Cunningham (195) who came away with silver. 

Five others reached the medal stand at the state tournament, as well, with Jesse Gehr (113 – 4th), Alexander Walker (120 – 3rd), Alejandro Rosario (132 – 5th), Raul Soto (160 – 3rd), Tristan Middlebrook (220 – 4th). That was good for a total of 11 state placewinners, a Lake Gibson record for a single-season. Frank Solorzano (152) also qualified for the state tournament but was unable to place.

The Braves shined at the Knockout Classic, winning the event and tallying 218.5 points, which bested #5 Woodland by 14 points. Habeil’s title at the Knockout led a group of eight placewinners for coach Walker’s crew. Whidden, Williams, and Abdon also made the finals. Lake Gibson also won the Braves Invitational, an event they hosted, by over 100 points against a strong Palmetto Ridge team. 

Lake Gibson will have to rebuild on the fly next year. Habeil, along with Williams, Butler, and Cunningham, are state finalists that will be lost to graduation. Gehr and Rosario were also senior state medalists in 2020. 

Three Lake Gibson wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

3) Union County (Kentucky)

Head Coach: Robert Ervin

In one of the most remarkable performances in the nation, Union County steamrolled the in-state competition to claim their fifth-straight Kentucky state title and 12th overall. One of my favorite stats for Union County is that runner-up Christian County amassed 200.5 team points. That’s an impressive number and should win any tournament. Well, that still saw them 98.5 points behind Union County. The Braves 299 team points obliterated the state scoring mark by over 40 points, a record that had been in place for 17 years. Six Union County wrestlers were able to come home with gold, as Trayce Eckman (113), Jake Insko (138), Dalton Russelburg (160), Stephen Little (170), Micah Ervin (182), and Matthias Ervin (285), all accomplished the feat. Matthias Ervin finished his high school career as a three-time state champion, while Russelburg and Micah Ervin grabbed their second. 

Three other Union County wrestlers, Trevor Pogue (145), Payne Carr (152), and Darius Moore (220), all appeared in the finals, as well. Of the 13 wrestlers that competed in the state tournament for Coach Ervin’s team, ten made the podium and none of those were lower than third place. The only third-place finisher was Gabe Adams at 132.

One of the big events on Union County’s schedule saw them travel to Indiana for the Mater Dei Invitational. The Braves finished second to host Mater Dei, the 12th ranked team in the Great Lakes Region. They also captured a title at the Johnny Drennan 85 Memorial, by defeating Cleveland (TN) 276.5 to 232. A select few individuals were invited to the Walsh Ironman and 285 lber Matthias Ervin led the team with a fourth-place showing. At the State Duals, the Braves outscored their in-state competing 267 to 39 in four dual meets. 

Union County should still be formidable in 2020-21 as half of their six state champions will return. Among the remaining placewinners, Carr and Moore are both juniors and will come back, as well. 

Six Union County wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

2) Baylor School (Tennessee)

Head Coach: Ben Nelson

****Coach Nelson has stepped down after the season and Rex Kendle is leading the program going forward****

There was little debate around who was the top team in Tennessee this year as Baylor added more trophies their collection. Baylor cruised to a 15th traditional state title and 11th dual championship during the 2019-20 season. They bested runner-up Christian Brothers by 65 points at the traditional tournament. Those two teams also met in the finals of the dual championship, won by Baylor 46-22. On their way to the finals, Baylor outscored their two opponents, 138-13. Six Baylor wrestlers (Nick Corday; 106, Jackson Bond; 113, Noah Horst; 132, Garrison Dendy; 138, Connor Duffy; 182, David Harper; 195) were able to come away with state titles at the traditional tournament. Dendy finished the year undefeated, while Horst and Harper had a loss, a piece. It was the fourth state title for Horst and the second for the other five winners. Also making the state finals for the Red Raiders were Omaury Alvarez (160) and Barre Chambers (220). 

Coach Nelson’s team had five other wrestlers make it on the state podium in Kade Hartline (120 – 3rd), Ryan Tisdale (126 – 3rd), Chase Radpour (145 – 3rd), Anthony Mannella (152 – 4th), and Ronald Garriques (170 – 3rd). 

Baylor took 13 wrestlers to the state tournament and all 13 placed in the top four. Their success wasn’t limited to Tennessee; however, Baylor captured a title at the Takedown Sportswear Invitational, which was hosted by Georgia’s Buford High School. The Red Raiders lapped the field with 310 points to second-place Creekview’s 190. Creekview were no slouches either; they captured GA’s 6A Traditional team title in 2020. Baylor’s toughest test came at the KC Stampede, where they finished second to Liberty (Missouri), the second-ranked team in the Midwest Region. They were only one point ahead of Tuttle, one of the top teams in Oklahoma. Dendy was able to win a title at the Stampede. The only dual losses on the year for Baylor came at the Blair Duals, where they fell to Blair Academy, Delbarton, and St. Joseph’s, three of the top teams in New Jersey.

Baylor should be very strong in 2020-21, as well. Duffy is the only state champion that is not returning and one (Alvarez) runner-up will be back, too. 

Four Baylor School wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings. 

1) Lake Highland Prep (Florida)

Head Coach: Mike Palazzo

Like most of the other regions we’ve recapped thus far, this was perhaps the easiest decision in the Southeast Regional rankings. Coach Mike Palazzo has built a dynasty in Florida that has also become one of the country’s top teams. The Highlanders crushed the Florida 1A field to grab their sixth consecutive title at the individual tournament. Lake Highland Prep rolled to a 289.5 to 173 win over second-place Somerset Academy. Eight LHP wrestlers, Ethan Rivera (106), Danny Nini (126), Chris Rivera (138), Justin Rivera (145), Noah Castillo (152), Bailey Flanagan (170), Easton Tobia (195), and Matt Kaplan (220) all got their hands raised during the state finals. David McClelland (120) also made the finals but had to settle for second place. They also thrived in a dual meet setting and rolled to a third consecutive dual state championship (it has only been offered three times). In the final, LHP dismantled Wakulla, 67-3. 

If that’s not enough, three others were able to get on the podium for Coach Palazzo’s team with William Kennedy (132 – 5th), Dominic Isola (160 – 3rd), and Hunter Brinkman (182 lbs). 113 lber Josh Boykin rounds out the state qualifiers for 2020. 

Coach Palazzo assembled one of the most challenging out-of-state schedules in the country. His team traveled to the Ironman, the Beast of the East, the Doc Buchanan, the Gilroy Duals, and the Beat the Streets Duals in Illinois. At least four Lake Highland Prep grapplers placed at all three of the big individual tournaments, highlighted by a title from Justin Rivera at the Doc B. Justin was one of seven LHP wrestlers that were among the top-eight at the Doc Buchanan, which led to a third-place finish for the team. The team was also sixth at both the Ironman and Beast. Justin and Chris Rivera were the only Highlanders able to place at all three tournaments. 

Lake Highland Prep will be interesting to follow in 2020-21 since they will not compete in the FHSAA, but at the National Prep level. Florida has restrictions that would have limited the out-of-state travel that the team has grown accustomed to. 

There’s no doubt that Coach Palazzo’s team will find a way to retool for 2020-21, but they are losing quite a bit of talent to graduation. The Rivera’s will attend Campbell this fall, while Castillo will head to Chattanooga, and Kaplan will enroll at the Air Force Academy. These are all wrestlers that have placed prominently in national level tournaments. Additionally, Tobia is set to attend Bellarmine, while Isola and Brinkman are also seniors. 

Seven Lake Highland Prep wrestlers appear in the Southeast Regional Rankings.

 

*Could have sworn Dendy lost once. Wyoming Seminary or Blair?

And what happened to Buford?

Edited May 28, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Sad Times....

Former Collins Hill football player, wrestler Jaquan Reece, 19, murdered in Knoxville

• By Will Hammock will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com
•  
  • 17 hrs ago

 

1 of 4

 

 

Collins Hill grad Jaquan Reece, right, was murdered Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.

• Special Photo

 

 

 

Collins Hill grad Jaquan Reece, left, was murdered Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.

• Special Photo

 

 

 

 

Vehicle of interest in the murder of Collins Hill grad Jaquan Reece.

• Knoxville Police

 

 

 

 

 

Jaquan Reece, left, makes a tackle against Parkview.

Former Collins Hill football and wrestling standout Jaquan Reece was murdered Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn. The city’s police department confirmed his identity Sunday.

According to police, Reece, 19, drove in his own vehicle to the University of Tennessee Medical Center around 2 p.m. Saturday. He was suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The 2019 Collins Hill grad moved to Knoxville after high school and was enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was considering a career in the military.

“(Reece) was one of the first kids I met when I came to Collins Hill,” former Collins Hill wrestling coach Nate Ethridge said. “He was a great kid with a huge smile. He was always happy. He was a joy to coach pretty much. He was tough. He wrestled at Collins Hill for two years. He transferred here from Parkview after two years. He was a state qualifier for us. He was a hard-working kid, a good kid."

Vehicle of interest in the murder of Collins Hill grad Jaquan Reece.

Knoxville Police

Reece visited Gwinnett back in December for the Eagles’ Kyle Maynard Duals, Ethridge said. In addition to being a state qualifier in wrestling, Reece was a starter on the football team for two years.

He had 61 tackles and two interceptions as a senior for a state playoff team.

“Jaquan was a great player for us,” Collins Hill head coach Lenny Gregory said. “He was very productive. He started at safety, was a kickoff returner, a great athlete. He was always smiling, a great kid. It’s a horrible loss of a young man that was loved. The teachers loved him. The kids loved him. He was smart. I’m so shocked because he’s such a good kid.”

 

Collins Hill's Jaquan Reece carries the ball in a game against Mill Creek.

Knoxville Police believe the shooting occurred in the area of Sunset Avenue and South Castle Street, and officials requested anyone with information — anonymity is permitted — to call 865-215-7212

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

https://tssaa.org/article/unwelcome-reality-coaching-students-through-daunting-times

Unwelcome reality: coaching students through daunting times

Leadership makes a difference, now and in the future

April 29, 2020

Greg McCullough had just arrived inside MTSU's Murphy Center for the Thursday games at the Tennessee Girls’ State Basketball Championships. But as the Memphis Central principal and TSSAA Board of Control Vice President would soon come to find out, the sports world and society writ large had begun the painful process of shutting down social activities due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. The pandemic was raging and closing in fast on the storied Glass House.

“As things were unfolding, we’re sitting there watching games, and big-time college tournaments were being cancelled,” McCullough said. “It was just really a weird, surreal feeling. Plans would be made, then changed in hours.

“That Thursday, sitting in the stands at Girls’ State, Mr. Childress was even telling us board members that we couldn't come back tomorrow. At that time, teams were going to be playing in this huge arena in front of 100 select people."
Ultimately, the tournament would be halted Thursday night.

"I cannot imagine," McCullough added, "to have worked that hard and not gotten the chance to finish that dream, that’s a tough pill to swallow. But we just try to find the positive we can get out of it.”

Mr. Childress, as in TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress, went to great lengths in the weeks after the state tournament was suspended, with input from every corner of the state, in an effort to find a method to salvage the final games of the boys’ and girls’ basketball seasons, as well as scrape together some semblance of a spring sports season.

Greg Wyant, longtime football coach and athletics director at Murfreesboro's Siegel High School, remembers offering a parting piece of advice for students heading home on a cruel Friday the 13th.

“Many kids on the track team were in my weightlifting class that afternoon and I remember telling them before they walked out for the weekend that you need to be mentally prepared to not be here Monday and maybe not run track the rest of the season. Enjoy your meet on Saturday; it might be the last for a while if not for the year,” Wyant said. “The NBA was shutting down, then the MLB, then the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament, you could really see the writing on the wall. I just tried to talk to them and mentally prepare them for what the possibilities could be.

“I think a lot of the kids are a lot like a lot of us as adults, like, ‘Yeah, sure. No way that’s going to happen.’ But nobody’s ever seen anything like this."

Barely one month later, on April 15, those collective efforts were rendered moot when Gov. Bill Lee said the Volunteer State’s school buildings should remain closed through the end of the academic year. The TSSAA immediately followed through with the formal decision to cancel all remaining interscholastic sports for the academic year, an eventuality faced by high school associations across the country.

In speaking to a variety of coaches, administrators and leaders throughout the state of Tennessee, the hope moving forward centers around gradually transforming these unprecedented obstacles into potential life lessons.


Ann Mullins

“I think that, in the same way that sports provide teaching moments — how to win and how to lose, be respectful to teammates and opponents, how to be responsible and accountable — this experience has provided us with many of the same teaching opportunities and coaches are using it this way,” said Father Ryan Athletics Director Ann Mullins, “We talk to athletes about dealing with obstacles, overcoming adversity, gaining perspective.

“For as important as athletics are to the school community, their importance takes a backseat to the struggles that so many in the community and in the nation are facing. I think that is possibly the most important teaching moment for us as an athletic department and as a coach, period. We follow the lead of our president (Jim McIntyre) and principal (Paul Davis) who do a phenomenal job in helping us face these challenges.”

Fulton’s Jody Wright, the school’s state-title-winning boys’ basketball coach as well as athletics director and assistant principal at the Knoxville school, also said this unprecedented crisis has coerced a refreshed perspective.

“One of the things that I think is a really sound message is that once we get out of this that we as coaches can point to this situation and say: We don’t know what tomorrow holds,” Wright said. “God gives us today. So many times we take for granted our day, the moment we have, we take those things for granted. Seize the day, as the saying goes.

“Coaches have a tremendous opportunity coming out of this to teach cherishing what you have, cherishing the time we have and embracing the moment.”

Coaches and schools throughout the state are finding different ways to honor their students, athletes or otherwise, as this now-digital academic year winds towards its end.

Gatlinburg-Pittman soccer coaches Caleb Keener and Zach Schrandt, for example, led a socially-distanced convoy of cars past the house of a senior player this month to honk happy birthday wishes.

Mullins joined Father Ryan’s entire leadership team in distributing Class of 2020 graduation blankets and yard signs around Nashville on a recent Friday.
In Memphis, McCullough and others are finding as many ways as possible to engage with their now-distanced youths.


Greg McCullough

“We’re trying in our district to address our kids much as we can,” McCullough said. “This is uncharted territory, scary for a lot of people, and we want to remind them to stay safe and let them know, ‘We miss you.’ The athletic piece is a big part, but right now our seniors don’t get to experience prom, graduation. We just have to live with the hope that everything will get better.

“There are a lot of difficult things about this. I think as humans, we're always sitting back thinking about, ‘I wish I’d known then what I know now. I would have done this or that, or maybe I would have practiced harder.’ But if you’re a competitor you really have to live in the moment. You can only play for so long. Even if you’re LeBron James, you can still only play for so long. You have to live in the moments.”

These hardships are not only teaching tools for the youth. Administrators are wondering what school buildings and classrooms might look like in the fall; coaches are uncertain about summer camps, practices or a reasonable facsimile for their fall schedules.

What is developing through this challenge, however, is a greater coach-to-coach, region-to-region and sport-to-sport camaraderie.

“I have found that we, as athletics directors, are in different email groups with TSSAA, TIAAA, NAIS and different independent schools, and it’s really been awesome,” said Mullins, a former standout volleyball player at Father Ryan, the University of Tennessee and Lipscomb University. “It’s great to see how all of the athletic directors and principals and all of the heads of schools have come together, even over email, to float different ideas about what they’re doing or what their teachers and coaches are doing and how they are staying in communication.

Even if you’re LeBron James, you can still only play for so long. You have to live in the moments.

“I think it definitely has hit the reset button for us and I think it has brought us closer together. And I am very much looking forward to working with other schools for the betterment of our students and of our student-athletes.”

“Everybody is affected,” said Wright, a Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame inductee. “I call it the fraternity of coaches. We compete hard against each other, we want to win, but only that other coach across the sidelines knows what you go through before the game and how hard you work.

“There is a little bit of kindred spirit growing because it's not affected just one town, one part of the state, one sport. We’re all not having daily contact with kids in the way we are used to as teachers and coaches, and all coaches are in the same boat and this gives us all some common ground, we can all empathize.”
McCullough eyes a greater horizon.

“We hope that this can bring us together,” McCullough said. “Not only just the state but in the country, we’re such a divided country and everything is so political right now. My thing is we’re all Americans here and we've got to figure this out. We’ve got to help each other, stay safe, and help with finances when it’s bad for this person or that person.

"We have a tendency to leave situations behind. But I think the best teaching is going to come after we get back to some normalcy. We shouldn't forget what has happened, and hopefully we look back and say, ‘We came through this together,’ and if we all come together, we can make it through this and get better and be prepared for it. And we can help kids live in the moment and say, ‘Hey, you never know, this might be your last game. Live in that moment and play hard and represent your school and your community and appreciate the chance to compete.’”

Edited June 1, 2020 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Mobile

• Sports
  •  
  •  
  •  
•  
•  

Photo Credit:

 

Three-Time SC State Champ Set to Join UTC in the Fall

Williams is the first in a list of profiles on UTC's incoming wrestling recruits.

Jun. 02, 2020 Wrestling

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head wrestling coach, Kyle Ruschell, has signed another impressive recruiting class heading into the 2020-21 season. Over the next few weeks, GoMocs.com will take a closer look at the newcomers joining the program this fall. 
 
The first is freshman Matthew Williams. The Fair Play, South Carolina native is a three-time state champion at West-Oak High School. There, he competed for head coach Greg Brewer. Former Moc and 2001 Southern Conference Champion Adam Duncan (1997-01) is an assistant coach on Brewer's staff.  
 
"Matt is a hard worker with a lot of talent," stated Ruschell. "A UTC alum coached him during his prep career, so he already understands the workman-like mentality that is Chattanooga Wrestling is known for."
 
With an overall record of 177-20, Williams was a state finalist in all four years of his high school career. His lone finals loss came as a freshman. He then followed up with three state titles and only eight losses during his final three seasons.  
 
"As a four-time state finalist and three-time champ, his resume speaks for itself," Ruschell added. "But what we really like is how he carries himself on and off the mat. Once we got Matt on his recruiting visit and realized his mindset, we knew we had to get him."
 
Ruschell predicts that Williams will wrestle at 149 pounds coming into his collegiate career. The 2019 South Carolina Coaches Most Outstanding Wrestler, Williams, was also an honor roll student in the classroom.  
 
"He will fit perfectly into our culture both on and off the mat," said Coach Ruschell. "We are very excited to get him in the room and see what he can do!"