Wrestling Updates and Tidbits...

[soms2]

CHS wrestlers split matches, Cook honored for 25 years

Posted 1/17/23

The Cookeville High School wrestling team came just three points shy of sweeping Oakland and Stone Memorial on the night in which head coach Scott Cook was honored for starting the program 25 years ago.

https://herald-citizen.com/stories/chs-wrestlers-split-matches-cook-honored-for-25-years,77182

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Spring Hill freshman Highland flips into wrestling

• By Maurice Patton Main Street Maury
• Jan 18, 2023 Updated 12 hrs ago
•  
  • Comments

 

1 of 5

 

Spring Hill freshman Nathan Highland (left) began wrestling as an eighth-grader after pursuing gymnastics for five years. Highland recorded a pair of pins for the Raiders during Tuesday's dual matches against Tullahoma and Columbia Central.

• DEBORAH BEU / MAIN STREET MAURY

 

 

 

Spring Hill freshman Nathan Highland tries to turn Tullahoma's Sylas McGowen during Tuesday's dual. Highland pinned McGowen in the second period of their 170-pound match, one of the Raiders' three pins in their 51-28 loss.

• DEBORAH BEU / MAIN STREET MAURY

 

 

 

 

Spring Hill's Scott Carter works to control Columbia Central's Jayden Tyus during their 182-pound match Tuesday night. Carter claimed a second-period pin as the Raiders won the dual, 60-12.

• DEBORAH BEU / MAIN STREET MAURY

 

 

 

 

Columbia Central  170-pounder Jamar Morris defeated Tullahoma's Connor Avans by injury default Tuesday.

• DEBORAH BEU / MAIN STREET MAURY

 

 

 

 

Spring Hill 220-pound senior Cayden Buchanan earned a second-round pin of Tullahoma's DeCarlos Slaughter during Tuesday's dual match.

• DEBORAH BEU / MAIN STREET MAURy

For so many Columbia Central and Spring Hill wrestlers, mat time is the primary concern as they work toward the postseason.

And that experience may not be more vital for anyone than Raider freshman Nathan Highland.

In just his second season of competition, Highland had a pair of pins Tuesday night as Spring Hill split a pair of matches with Tullahoma and the Lions.

A convert from gymnastics, Highland wrestled as an eighth-grader and showed promise, according to coach Kortney Brus.

“He’s like ‘Gumby’, very flexible,” Brus said. “He’s a solid athlete. Technically speaking, there’s some stuff to clean up, but he’s got strength, he’s got flexibility, he’s got that ‘grind’ to him. You can teach techniques, but he’s got that stuff you can’t teach.

“He’s impressed me from Day One. He’s super coachable. And to weigh in at 157 and wrestle at 170 against Tullahoma – and win – we’ve just been happy to have him.”

After five years of gymnastics, Highland grew out of the sport both figuratively and literally.

“I got tall, and it just didn’t feel the same once we got back from COVID,” said the 5-foot, 11-inch 14-year old. “So I decided to pick up school sports – football, wrestling, I ran track.

“I’m an athlete. I think I learn pretty fast. I had a decent season last year, something like 23-6 between middle school and AAU.”

Against Tullahoma, Highland came off his back for a second-period pin against Sylas McGowen and provided one of the bright spots in the Raiders’ 51-28 loss despite giving up more than 10 pounds.

“It was wrestle 170, or not wrestle,” he said.

Wrestling at 160 against Central, he pinned Kainoa Anderson in the second period as well.

“I don’t think. It’s just happening. My body takes over and I just work my moves, and as time goes, I get more aggressive,” Highland said. “Most people come out energized at the start. I think I go the other way.

“There’s two mentalities – ‘this is going to be rough’, or ‘I’m going to win this’, and I’ve gone in with both.”

For Spring Hill, the loss to Tullahoma was the second in less than 10 days, following a 48-23 Wildcat victory on Jan. 10 at Franklin County. Along with Highland, the Raiders got a major decision Tuesday from Darien Vera at 126 and back-to-back pins from Cayden Buchanan and Joseph Jessup at 220 and 285.

“We had a lot of starters out due to injuries, and we’ve got a young team,” Brus said. “To see them go out there and wrestle with confidence against a good team made me feel good.”

Spring Hill senior Scott Carter, who dropped an 11-7 decision against Tullahoma’s Carson Avans, bounced back for a second-period pin of Central’s Jayden Tyus in the nightcap.

“Scott wrestled at 182, but he’s trying to drop to ‘70,” Brus said. “He weighed in at 171.”

Columbia Central, coming off a strong showing over the weekend – Brianna Gayton won the 132-pound championship at the St. Andrew’s-Sewanee tournament with Madison McDowell placing second at 235, while Rolin Manning, Anderson and Triston Harden each registered top-three finishes at Franklin County – wasn’t as sharp Tuesday as first-year coach Carlos Emerson would have liked.

In addition to the 60-12 defeat against their cross-county rival, the Lions fell 66-6 to Tullahoma.

“Our effort was a lot better, but we definitely need a ‘heart check’,” Emerson said. “The potential is there. They’ve just got to find it within themselves to be consistent.”

 

Spring Hill 60, Columbia Central 12: 126 –John Varga (SH) by forfeit; 132 – Tyler Wehrenberg (SH) p. Dawson Dykes, 1:12; 138 –Jace Mince (SH) by forfeit; 145 – Austin Spires (SH) by forfeit; 152 – Eric Murphy (SH) by forfeit; 160 – Nathan Highland (SH) p. Kainoa Anderson, 3:27; 170 – Jamar Morris (CC) by forfeit; 182 –Scott Carter (SH) p. Jayden Tyus, 2:55; 195 –Zach Cole (CC) p. Francisco Lemus 0:26; 220 –Cayden Buchanan (SH) by forfeit; 285 – Joseph Jessup (SH) p. Anijah Hildreth, 0:25; 106 –double forfeit; 113 – double forfeit; 120 – Payton Miller (SH) by forfeit

Edited January 19, 2023 by soms2

[soms2]

7 minutes ago, soms2 said:

King women's wrestling building a dynasty in East Tennessee

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by Heather Williams

Tuesday, January 17th 2023

https://wcyb.com/sports/content/king-womens-wrestling-building-an-dynasty-in-east-tennessee

The King University women's wrestling program has become the queens of the mat in a short time.

The school recently won its sixth national championship in just 12 seasons of existence.

 

 

 

5

VIEW ALL PHOTOS

King women's wrestling (WCYB

 

For full story….

https://wcyb.com/sports/content/king-womens-wrestling-building-an-dynasty-in-east-tennessee

[soms2]

Buford loses to Camden in duals, but came in 5th at Kansas City Stampede just behind Baylor who took 3rd as we know.....

https://www.gwinnettprepsports.com/sports/buford-places-fifth-at-kansas-city-stampede/article_cd5604ab-15a0-56ab-8a31-0db7a4d9de24.html

 

https://www.northgwinnettvoice.com/buford-falls-to-camden-county-in-class-aaaaaaa-state-duals-championship/

On the way to the championship, Camden beat North Gwinnett, Mill Creek and Buford. The Wolves defeated Brookwood and West Forsyth to earn the championship berth. Mill Creek defeated West Forsyth 50-27 to take third place.

Jefferson, which recently reclassed from Class 4A to Class 5A, defeated Cass 37-33 in the Class 5A championship to win the team’s 43rd overall wrestling title and 19th team duals championship. Jefferson famously won every team duals title from its inception in 2002 until 2020 when North Hall took the championship. 

https://www.ajc.com/sports/high-school-sports-blog/jefferson-camden-county-add-to-trophy-cases-at-ghsa-team-duals-state-championships-saturday/QXPCNTWL6BAY7KDCSCJDYYLFWY/

Edited January 24, 2023 by soms2

[soms2]

Good free press coverage in Chattanooga…

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/1/28/463266/Cleveland-Wrestlers-Earn-Class-AA.aspx

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/1/28/463260/PHOTOS-Baylor-Wrestlers-Defeat-McCallie.aspx

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/1/27/463250/Signal-Mountain-Advances-To-State-Duals.aspx

And Chattanooga TV…

https://www.wdef.com/baylor-wrestling-wins-over-mccallie-in-duke-arena-46-24/

And Press/Photos up in Clarksville for Rossview’s big win

https://clarksvillenow.com/local/rossview-boys-beat-clarksville-high-to-take-first-regional-dual-wrestling-championship/

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AAU in memphis

https://www.flowrestling.org/events/9029994-2223-tnaau-top-100-memphis

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Blackman vs Bradley 

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/1/29/463274/Bradley-Central-Overpowers-Blackman.aspx

Edited January 29, 2023 by soms2

[soms2]

Wilson County Coverage…

The Lebanon Democrat, Tenn.

Wilson Central joined by Friendship in TSSAA state duals

The Lebanon Democrat, Tenn.

Tue, January 31, 2023 at 1:48 AM EST·1 min read

Jan. 31—Wilson Central will make its 12th straight appearance in the TSSAA State Dual Wrestling Championships this coming weekend.

The Wildcats will be joined by a first-timer at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin — Friendship Christian.

Central, which has never won state in five trips to the finals, will take another crack during the one-day event Saturday, beginning with a 9 a.m. match against undefeated Dobyns Bennett.

The Lebanon Democrat, Tenn.

Wilson Central joined by Friendship in TSSAA state duals

The Lebanon Democrat, Tenn.

Tue, January 31, 2023 at 1:48 AM EST·1 min read

Jan. 31—Wilson Central will make its 12th straight appearance in the TSSAA State Dual Wrestling Championships this coming weekend.

The Wildcats will be joined by a first-timer at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin — Friendship Christian.

Central, which has never won state in five trips to the finals, will take another crack during the one-day event Saturday, beginning with a 9 a.m. match against undefeated Dobyns Bennett.

The winner will take on either Brentwood or Bradley Central in the 1 p.m. semifinals. The finals will be at 7 with five-time defending champion Cleveland, Rossview, Maryville and Summit in the other bracket.

Consolation matches will begin at 11 a.m. and will culminate with the third-place match (where the Wildcats finished last year) at 5 p.m.

Friendship, which has had wrestlers qualify for the individual state in the past but never the team tournament, is in the Division II-A-AA final four. The Commanders will take Lakeway Christian at 11 a.m. with the winner returning at 7 p.m. to take on Boyd Buchanan or Battle Ground Academy. The losers will wrestle for third place at 1 p.m.

The winner will take on either Brentwood or Bradley Central in the 1 p.m. semifinals. The finals will be at 7 with five-time defending champion Cleveland, Rossview, Maryville and Summit in the other bracket.Consolation matches will begin at 11 a.m. and will culminate with the third-place match (where the Wildcats finished last year) at 5 p.m.Friendship, which has had wrestlers qualify for the individual state in the past but never the team tournament, is in the Division II-A-AA final four. The Commanders will take Lakeway Christian at 11 a.m. with the winner returning at 7 p.m. to take on Boyd Buchanan or Battle Ground Academy. The losers will wrestle for third place at 1 p.m.

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High School Wrestling 

State Wrestling: 5 WillCo teams reach dual championships

• By Charles Pulliam • Sports Editor
• Jan 30, 2023 Updated Jan 30, 2023

Buy Now

Landon Desselle 

Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

FRANKLIN – Save your Saturday for the mats. 

The 2023 TSSAA State Dual Wrestling Championships take over the Williamson County Ag Expo Center this weekend with a loaded day of competition Saturday. 

Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. and will stretch into the night as five team champions will be crowned across the four boys’ classifications and girls’ tournaments. 

Williamson County representatives will be Summit and Brentwood in Class AA, Fairview and Page in Class A and Battle Ground Academy in Division II A-AA. 

The last – and only – WilllCo team to win a state title in dual wrestling in the large classification of Division I is Franklin back in 2005. Fairview claimed the state duals title in 2021 – the school’s first team state title – and the only other team dual title for WillCo teams since Franklin’s championship. 

Brentwood Academy’s string of three titles spanning 1995-97 are the only other WillCo state dual titles. 

Wrestling: Summit dominates, builds for state title push

 

How they got here 

Summit overwhelmed Collierville on Friday with a 73-0 win in the Class AA Sectional round to advance to the state duals for a third consecutive year. 

Spartans coach Pete Miller said his team is poised for another run on the state stage. 

“They’ve been there now. They’ve got a taste of it and they’ve also got a taste of that failure. They don’t like it,” he said after Friday’s sectional win. “We are using that as a driving factor after these last two trips to the state duals and now we just have to build from this and continue the momentum.” 

The Spartans had defeated Brentwood 47-25 earlier last week to win the Region 7-AA duals for a third straight season. 

Brentwood bounced back from the loss to Summit to reach the state stage for the first time since 2018 with a 39-34 win at Houston Saturday to tip the Region 8-AA champs. 

The Bruins clinched the state berth with back-to-back pins at 132 pounds by Judson Jarrett and at 138 by Arash Yazdani to top the Mustangs, which led 34-27 entering the final two matches. 

Fairview advanced to the Class A state stage for a sixth consecutive season after Millington forfeited the Class A Sectional matchup over the weekend. The Yellow Jackets, who won the District 14-A duals with a 81-0 win over Creek Wood, claimed a sixth straight region title won at Sycamore prior. 

Page suffered an opening setback at 106 in the Class A Sectional Saturday against visiting Greenbrier, but won the next nine matches to cruise to a 48-30 victory and push back into the state duals for a second straight season. 

The Wildcats of BGA defeated Franklin Road Academy 54-13 in the regional and opened against Friendship Christian with pins in five of the first seven matches to post a 42-34 win and advance out of the DII A-AA West Region. 

Wrestling: Page wins regional, will host Saturday for state duals berth

 

What happened last year 

After capturing third place in 2021 in Class AA, Summit opened with Bradley Central in the quarterfinals last year and fell in four of the final five matches to suffer a 41-34 defeat against the eventual state runners-up. 

The Spartans recovered with wins against Clarksville (39-25) and Dobyns Bennett (34-30) to wrestle for third place again before dropping a 43-27 dual against Wilson Central, which had stopped Nolensville 36-30 in the consolation semifinals. 

The Knights were the other WillCo representative in AA, recovering from a 39-30 loss to eventual champion Cleveland in the first round with a 40-35 victory against Maryville in consolation. 

In Class A, both Fairview and Page represented in 2022 as well. The Yellow Jackets defeated Tullahoma 42-33 before falling to Greenville in the semifinals 38-32 to miss a shot at reaching the dual final for a third straight season. 

Page pushed eventual state champion Signal Mountain before falling 39-30 in the quarterfinals and suffered a 42-33 loss to Gibbs in consolation. 

The Yellow Jackets defeated Gibbs 43-34, but settled for fourth after a 42-36 loss to Pigeon Forge in the consolation final. 

In DII A-AA, BGA fell 54-15 against eventual state champion Lakeway Christian in the semifinals. 

 

Wrestling: Summit 3-peats as region dual champs, Bruins advance to sectionals

 

2023 TSSAA Wrestling Dual Championships Saturday, Feb. 4

at Williamson County Ag Expo Center 

Class A Quarterfinals 

9 a.m. – Signal Mountain vs. Gibbs; Tullahoma vs. Sycamore; Page vs. Knoxville Halls; Soddy Daisy vs. Fairview 

Class AA Quarterfinals 

9 a.m. – Cleveland vs. Rossview; Maryville vs. Summit; Wilson Central vs. Dobyns Bennett; Brentwood vs. Bradley Central 

Division II A-AA Semifinals 

11 a.m. – Lakeway Christian vs. Friendship Christian; Boyd Buchanan vs. Battle Ground Academy 

Division II AAA Semifinals 

11 a.m. – Baylor vs. West Region No. 2; Montgomery Bell Academy vs. West Region No. 1 

Girls Semifinals 

1 p.m. – Rossview vs. Gibbs; Cleveland vs. Clarksville

Spectator Information

Tickets are $12 if purchased in advance on GoFanor $15 per if purchased with cash at the gate. Everyone school-age and older must purchase a ticket.

Parking is $5 per vehicle.

Concession stands and vendors will sell food, while teams and spectators are permitted to bring food inside the arena, but the use of electrical appliances (crockpots, microwaves, etc.) is prohibited.

The Williamson County Ag Expo Center is located at 4215 Long Lane in Franklin.

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Meanwhile down in  GA....

Buford first, Archer fourth at Redskin Rumble wrestling tournament

• From Staff Reports
• Jan 29, 2023 Updated 17 hrs ago

 

 

Buford’s wrestling team won the 16-team Redskin Rumble at Social Circle on Saturday.

The Wolves posted 283 points to finish ahead of runner-up Social Circle’s 242 and third-place Rockmart’s 218.5. Archer was fourth at 172.

Buford got weight class titles from D.J. Clarke (106), Maddox McArthur (126), Kieron McCormack (132), Hudson Danielson (138), Gavin Pope (144) and Conor McCloskey (175). Rylan Ibold (113), J.T. McCullough (150) and Aaron Riner (190) had runner-up finishes, Ty Gentry (120) and Grayson Santee (165) were third and Kanon Nelson (157) took fourth.

Archer’s Sam Rwibuka won the 285 championship, and the Tigers’ other top-four finishers were Max Hennebaul (second, 106), Gavin Frierson (fourth, 126), Dylan Frierson (second, 138) and Tracy Wright (fourth, 190).

Edited February 1, 2023 by soms2

[soms2]

The Chattanoogan…

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/2/5/463646/Cleveland-Wrestlers-Win-State-Championships.aspx
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Turnaround has Soddy-Daisy wrestlers chasing eighth TSSAA team state title

February 3, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.

by Patrick MacCoon

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Soddy-Daisy wrestling coach Ulric Winesburgh, left, talks to the Trojans at practice Thursday ahead of Saturday's TSSAA Class A state duals in Franklin.

After several down years for a storied high school wrestling program with dozens of individual state champions in its history, Soddy-Daisy appears close to returning to the success of its glory days.

For the first time since 2018, the Trojans will compete in the TSSAA state duals, where they'll be one of eight Class A title contenders Saturday at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin.

Soddy-Daisy (31-5) faces Fairview (39-5) at 10 a.m. Eastern in the quarterfinals. The event has a double-elimination format, but once a team drops into the consolation bracket, it can finish no better than third place.

A championship is the goal for every qualifier, of course, and that's no less true for the Trojans as they seek the program's fifth state duals title after winning in 1989, 2002, 2007 and 2012. They also won the state traditional tournament in 2006, 2007 and 2012.

Now they're ready for more.

"We've had a huge turnaround," Soddy-Daisy head coach Ulrich Winesburgh said. "Everyone has bought in, from the wrestling club to the middle school and all the way up. We are motivated to get back to where we are one of the best teams in the state year after year."

The program has been helped by the return of assistant coach Shane Turner, who spent the past several seasons with Baylor, a nationally renowned program seeking its fifth straight state duals title as it competes in Division II-AAA this weekend. This is the 18th season overall with the Trojans for Turner, who celebrated matside with Winesburgh after he won the 135-pound title in 2007.

Junior Elijah Turner, Shane's son, has also been a major addition to the program, adding experience to a lineup that heavily features underclassmen. Elijah has fought back through an ankle injury and is 10-1 at 160 pounds.

Soddy-Daisy's most experienced wrestler, third-year starter Drew Lewis (126), is excited about how far the program has come since his freshman season two years ago. Individually, he is nearing 100 career wins and has been exceptional with a 43-3 record this season.

"For us to get back to the state tournament is really important to our team, the Soddy-Daisy wrestling club and our community," said Lewis, who finished third individually at last year's state traditional tourney. "We have had a lot of fall-off years since COVID and unfortunate luck. To bounce back now and win a state sectional over one of the best teams around in Pigeon Forge shows just how far we have come."

After losing its region final to Signal Mountain, 40-33, Soddy-Daisy clinched its spot at state duals by shocking Pigeon Forge with a 36-34 road victory in the sectional round. Freshman 152-pounder Logan Rawlinson's pin in the final bout sealed the dual win, which kept Pigeon Forge out of the state duals for just the second time in 14 years — a stretch in which the Tigers have five state duals titles.

Soddy-Daisy could potentially meet 2022 state duals champion Signal Mountain (19-2) in the finals, which begin at 8 p.m. The Eagles will face Gibbs (33-6) in the quarterfinals, with the winner meeting either Sycamore (24-19) or Tullahoma (20-8).

The winner between Fairview and Soddy-Daisy takes on either Knoxville Halls (27-4) or Page (32-8).

Only two of 14 starters for the Trojans are seniors — Knox Whalen (132) and Cleveland transfer Cole Dyer (106) — and while that bodes well for the future, the team of the present doesn't want to wait to prove itself. Other standouts for the Trojans include junior Zander Duncan (120), sophomore Gage Welch (145), and freshmen Tyson Flavin (113), Braylan Cooper (138) and Louden Laxton (195).

"We are relying on freshmen, sophomores and juniors to lead this team," Winesburgh said. "That just shows we can be stout for a while. We are going to keep getting better. It starts with these young kids we have leading the team right now.

"We have come a long way with the facilities and our performance since I first got here. The alumni are coming around more, and everyone is excited."

 

Drive for five

The Chattanooga area's already strong reputation for prep wrestling could be enhanced even more Saturday, when a sweep of all five TSSAA duals titles is possible.

In addition to being represented by Signal Mountain and Soddy-Daisy in Class A, the area boasts DII-AAA's Baylor Red Raiders (10-1) and Class AA's Cleveland Blue Raiders (22-0), the state's two top-rated teams. With the state fields for D-II already whittled to four teams, the Red Raiders are just two dual wins away from the title.

The Blue Raiders are seeking their sixth consecutive state duals title, and their eight-team bracket includes Bradley Central (17-5) on the opposite end, setting up the possibility of a championship final between the intracounty rivals.

In DII-A/AA, Boyd Buchanan's first state duals trip in program history will begin with a semifinal against Battle Ground Academy (14-15).

And in the second season of a girls' classification at state duals, Cleveland (9-0) has qualified again and will try to become the area's first such state champion.

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.

 

 

Edited February 5, 2023 by soms2

[Appvol]

 

[soms2]

Tennessee’s own…

From Childhood to College, Brayden Palmer's Wrestling Ascent

• By Jacob Robinson, Assistant Sports Editor
   

  

  Jacob Robinson

  • Author email
• Feb 7, 2023 Updated 22 hrs ago
•  
  •  0

 

Brayden Palmer (UTC) runs a double leg takedown on Davin Rhoads (West Virginia). Friday, January 13, 2023.

Seth Carpenter, Photo Editor

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosted their 11th Southern Scuffle this winter. In 10 years prior, only one player ever reached the finals that was decorated in navy blue and gold— the 133 pound wrestler Nick Soto in 2012. 

But to begin 2023, Mocs’ wrestler Brayden Palmer, also wrestling at 133 pounds, would add to the short list and cement himself as one of the most talented wrestlers in the country.

But Palmer’s climb up the ranks has not been close to simple. Though, his passion for wrestling is.

“My dad said I was on the mat since I was two (years old), so whenever I could walk,” said Palmer, laughingly. “I think I was four or five when Dad took me to my first practice, and I loved it ever since that first practice.”

Palmer would spend countless hours on the mat growing up. In his hometown of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Palmer would practice at his local high school, Hendersonville High School,  following their practices. As he entered his teenage years, Palmer would continue wrestling at Beech High School, 12 minutes from where he spent his early wrestling years. 

In high school, Palmer would become a perennial talent as a wrestler. In four years, Palmer would post 197 wins to a scarce four losses. A record like that granted Palmer the chance to compete at the state’s top stage.

“I had two state titles and I made the finals all four years. I didn’t get scored on in my last two years,” said Palmer. 

His success within the state would transition into greater success at a higher level— at Virginia Beach, Virginia in the premier wrestling tournament within the United States. 

“I won nationals at Virginia Beach my senior year,” said Palmer regarding his high school title run. “I finished third in my weight class, nationally.” 

With titles under his belt, Palmer was faced with a decision— where to attend college? It was a two-school race for the Tennessee prospect.

“Right away, it was between here (UTC) and Clarion University. I had other schools but those were my two favorites,” said Palmer.

Clarion University gunned for the young wrestler more than the Mocs, and Palmer took his talents up north to Pennsylvania to wrestle with the Golden Eagles. 

But more than the northern weather soured Palmer from Clarion, as his coaches would depart from the wrestling program and COVID-19 shut his second year down. 

“The main coach that recruited me left and that upset me before I even got there,” said Palmer about his decision to transfer. “There were a lot of factors, but I was pretty depressed, honestly, and I wanted to get closer to home.”

The school that piqued Palmer’s interest was, yet again, UTC. With his previous experience with the school, the Mocs would be a welcome suitor for a wrestler like Palmer. 

“I love it here. Once I knew I wanted to transfer, I wanted to go back closer to home. I didn’t even talk to other schools. I knew I wanted to be here,” said Palmer about his commitment to become a Moc. “As soon as my semester ended, I came here and started training in May of 2021.”

And just like that, Palmer would begin making his mark as a Moc. As a freshman with the University, Palmer would post a 7-1 record in Southern Conference action. Now in his second year, Palmer has made a larger impact, and received recognition with his performance at the Southern Scuffle. 

“Last year was my first real year of wrestling in college, so I really didn’t know if I was, honestly, any good or not. I was good in high school, but I did not have that confidence anymore because college is a different animal,” said Palmer about his freshman year. “I got third in that tournament (Southern Scuffle), and I was like, ‘Yeah, I can do this.’ It built my confidence and this year I wanted to win it.”

That plan took action in his second Southern Scuffle. By overcoming deficits in two early rounds of the tournament, Palmer would notch wins over top wrestlers and would find himself squared off against Oklahoma State’s and NCAA runner-up Daton Fix. Palmer would fall just short of the title in a 7-3 loss to Fix, but his accomplishment sets him apart from most wrestlers to come through the wrestling program at Chattanooga. 

“I knew coming into the tournament, I told my dad, that I could make the finals or even win it,” said Palmer about his second Southern Scuffle. “I did have a good tournament. I got second place. I obviously wanted to win, but to come back and win it next year is the goal.” 

Palmer has continued to make headlines as the, now junior, wrestler picked up SoCon monthly honors for January. With a 7-1 record in the first month of 2023, Palmer will look to continue his dominance as one of the best wrestlers in the country while wearing the Chattanooga singlet.
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Chattanoogan is on it as usual…

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/2/7/463757/Cleveland-Bradley-Central-Finish-1.aspx

Edited February 8, 2023 by soms2

[soms2]

Some decent press out of Murfreesboro...

Murfreesboro area wrestlers advance to individual sectional tournaments

PHOTOS...https://www.dnj.com/picture-gallery/sports/high-school/2023/02/12/region-4-aa-individual-wrestling-tournament/11240325002/

Cecil Joyce (https://www.dnj.com/staff/4383105002/cecil-joyce/)

Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

 (https://www.dnj.com/picture-gallery/sports/high-school/2023/02/12/region-4-aa-individual-wrestling-tournament/11240325002/)

Blackman edged Oakland for the team title at the Region 4-AA individual wrestling tournament, held Saturday at Riverdale.
The Blaze scored 239 points while the Patriots tallied 223.5 and Wa
rren County was third at 102.

Blackman had six individual champions while Oakland had four, Stewarts Creek one and Siegel one.

The top four finishers advance to the sectional, which will be held Feb. 18 at The Howard School in Chattanooga.

Eagleville will send nine wrestlers to the Class A sectional after a successful day in the Region 6-A tournament. The Eagles had two region champs − Jacob Pennington (132) and Brody McLemore (138).

Eagleville finished third as a team, scoring 148.5 points, behind Page (205) and Tullahoma (172).
The Eagles will compete in the Class A sectional at Green Hill on Feb. 18.
The top four from each sectional weight division will advance to state.
Region finals and third-place results include:

Region 4-AA
106 pounds
Championship: Sebron Colson (Blackman) d. Aidan Lindsay (Warren Co.) fall, 1:44; Third place: Jon Hall (Oakland) d. Andrew McClanahan (Riverdale), fall, 2:47.
113 pounds
Championship: Chase Creque (Siegel) d. Deshawn Miller (Oakland), fall, 2:47; Third place: Dakadius Justus (Riverdale) d. Carson Jinkins (Stewarts Creek) 9-3.

120 pounds
Championship: Brayden Bouma (Oakland) d. Aslan Nadeau (Blackman), fall, 4:39; Third place: Statom Relford (Stewarts Creek) d. Senoor Najeeb (La Vergne), fall, 2:11.
126 pounds
Championship: Thomas Rubio (Blackman) d. Nate Barbee (Oakland). TF-1.5, 3:42 (19-2); Third place: Orion Sadler (Stewarts Creek) d. Darriuz Cassilas (Riverdale) 6-3.

132 pounds
Championship: Landon Beasley (Oakland) d. Jeremiah Wardell (Coffee Co.), fall, 3:43; Third place: Isaiah Thephavong (Blackman) d. Jerell Johnson (Rockvale), fall, 2:59.
138 pounds
Championship: Jaxsen Nieuwsma (Oakland) d. Noah Creque (Siegel), fall, 4:00; Third place: Grant Myers (Blackman) d. Parker Sparks (Rockvale), MD 10-0.

145 pounds
Championship: Mason Sells (Blackman) d. Logan Saller (Riverdale), fall, 0:56; Third place: Kaiden Hughes (Stewarts Creek) d. Colin Romans (Oakland), fall, 4:39.

152 pounds
Championship: Landon McCroskey (Stewarts Creek) d. Seth Lindsay (Warren Co.), fall, 3:04; Third place: Landon Franklin (Oakland) d. Afraim Ewida (Blackman), TF-1.5, 3:56 (15-0).

160 pounds
Championship: Gabriel Larkin (Blackman) d. Jacob Barlow (Coffee Co.), medical forfeit; Third place: Jack Hines (Stewarts Creek) d. Mauricio Jimenez (La Vergne), forfeit.

170 pounds
Championship: James Revell (Blackman) d. Nathaniel Breeding (Rockvale) 10-4; Third place: Sam Harvat (Oakland) d. Zachary Warrick (Coffee Co.), fall, 0:59.
182 pounds
Championship: Zerek Keel (Warren Co.) d. Nicholas Mednicino (Stewarts Creek), forfeit; Third place: Kadyen Abel (Blackman) d. Si Marin (Franklin Co.), fall, 3:35.

195 pounds
Championship: Miles Workman (Blackman) d. Hayven Jenkins (Oakland) 4-0; Third place: P.J. Truax (Warren Co.) d. Ian Walker (Coffee Co.), SV-1, 3-1.
220 pounds
Championship: Logan McBee (Shelbyville) d. Taurus Allen (Oakland), fall, 1:23; Third place: Tarek Aldairi (Blackman) d. Xavier Simmons (Warren Co.) 10-9.

285 pounds
Championship: Zach Turk (Oakland) d. Blayne Myers (Coffee Co.) 2-1; Third place: Gerardo Mares (Warren Co.) d. Sam Isip (Blackman), fall, 1:56.

6A
106 pounds: Third place: Matthew Pennington (Eagleville) d. John Newell (Page), TF-1.5, 2:13 (17-2).
113 pounds: Championship: Kyle Nielson (Spring Hill) d. Zachary Lewis (Eagleville) 2-0.

126 pounds: Third place: Drake Rzemieniewski (Eagleville) d. Nolan Stroop (Tullahoma) 8-1.
132 pounds: Championship: Jacob Pennington (Eagleville) d. Cannon Drake (Page), fall, 3:36.
138 pounds: Championship: Brody McLemore (Eagleville) d. Grant Hawkinson (Page), SV-1, 7-5.
145 pounds: Championship: Caleb Adkins (Tullahoma) d. Thomas Solomon (Eagleville), MD 14-4.

160 pounds: Third place: Cole Darnell (Eagleville) d. Kevin Caraballo (Spring Hill), fall, 2:56.
170 pounds: Championship: Michael Carter (Spring Hill) d. Houston Retting (Eagleville) 5-4.
285 pounds: Third place: Joseph Williamson (Eagleville) d. Dylan Warren (Cascade), fall, 3:00.
 

https://www.dnj.com/story/sports/high-school/2023/02/11/tssaa-wrestling-murfreesboro-area-region-results-sectional-qualifiers/69895916007/

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

Tricities 

Bristol HeraldCourrierBristol...

PREP WRESTLING

Grayson County (191.5), Galax (158) and Parry McCluer (156 ½) finished ahead of GW.

Vikings 2nd, Patriots 4th in regionals 

Tennessee High wrestlers Aidan Smith (106 pounds) and Eli Moore (126) earned first place finishes as the Region 1 Class A individual championship meet on Saturday at Viking Hall. Kalel Honaker (152) and Mason Campbell (215) placed second for the Vikings, which accumulated 163 points to finish behind first place David Crockett, which had 182.5 points. 

Donavan Smith-Peters (138) and Dawson Jones (160) led Sullivan East to a fourth place finish with 139 points. Marshall Jones (195) also placed second for the Patriots. 

The Section 1, Class A tournament is next Saturday in Elizabethton. 

Wolves 6th in Class AA

Tucker Brown (132) and Brady Chatman (145) earned second place finishes in the Region 1 Class AA individual meet held on Saturday in Johnson City.

West Ridge placed sixth with 61 points. Dobyns-Bennett earned the team crown with 262.5 points. The Section 1, Class AA tournament is on Saturday at Bearden High School in Knoxville. 

Maxfield leads AHS grapplers

Michael Maxfield led Abingdon’s continent during Saturday’s VHSL Region 3D wrestling tournament at Christiansburg High School.

Maxfield placed second in the 138-pound weight class and was pinned by Peyton Hatcher of Staunton River in 5:04 in his title match.

Max Ferguson (113) and Zachary Rasnake (132) brought home third-place medals for the Falcons, while 144-pounder Yenesew Smith placed fourth.

Abingdon finished sixth in the team standings with a score of 86. Staunton River won the event with a total of 283 ½.

GW finishes fourth in Region 1C

Six finalists – two of whom took home gold medals – helped George Wythe finish fourth in the team standings at Saturday’s Region 1C wrestling tournament.

Zane Perkins (138) and Logan Ward (165) of the Maroons stood atop the podium after pinning their opponent in the finals.

Perkins stuck the shoulders of Galax’s Ed Morales to the mat in 5:14, while Ward made sure Blake Dunn of Fort Chiswell was done in 3:14.

Jaxson Ward (113), Sam Mello (132), Tyler Horton (150) and Trey Sparks (175) had runner-up finishes for GW, which finished with 124 team points.

BIG STONE GAP, Va. – In just two years on the job, head coach Emil Schenck and assistant Eric Satterfield have devised a winning formula for the Union Bears wrestling program.

Just check the results of the past two Region 2D tournaments.

“We won last year with a bunch of first-year wrestlers,” Schenck said. “We have a mix of first and second-year kids this year, and the kids have really responded.”

The Bears won five weight classes Saturday en route to compiling 232 points and capturing the team title.

John Battle finished second at 187.5 points, with Wise County Central (177), Richlands (135) and Virginia High (109) next in line.

Johnson City press...

Four Hilltoppers win Region 1-AA wrestling titles; Crockett takes Region 1-A team title.com

• 16 hrs ago

 

1 of 5

 

Science Hill's Devon Medina dominates action on his way to winning a major decision over Jefferson County's Jason Newton in Saturday's 195-pound championship match.

• By JEFF BIRCHFIELD jbirchfield@johnsoncitypress.com

 

 

 

Science Hill's Jamie Beck hooks the arm of Dobyns-Bennett's Johnson Zhang on his way to winning their 152-pound championship match.

• By JEFF BIRCHFIELD jbirchfield@johnsoncitypress.com

 

 

 

 

Science Hill’s Chase Smalling locks down on West Ridge’s Brian Smith in their 120-pound semifinal match Saturday.

• JEFF BIRCHFIELD/Johnson City Press

 

 

 

 

Science Hill's Josiah Harris has the upper hand against Jefferson County's Caylek Vann in their 138-pound match. Harris would go on to pin Vann.

• By JEFF BIRCHFIELD jbirchfield@johnsoncitypress.com

 

 

 

 

Science Hill's Stiles Miller is in control against Caleb Anderson from Morristown East. It took Miller just 33 seconds to get the fall in their 113-pound semifinal match.

• By JEFF BIRCHFIELD jbirchfield@johnsoncitypress.com

 

 

 

Science Hill had 13 of 14 wrestlers advance to sectionals from Saturday’s Region 1-AA individual wrestling championships at Boones Creek Elementary School.

Four Hilltoppers — Chase Smalling at 120, James Beck at 152, Devon Medina at 195 and Keimel Redford at 285 — captured individual titles.

Stiles Miller at 113 and Josiah Harris at 138 reached the final round.

Smalling improved to 42-1 after a gutsy 10-5 decision over Kennedy Watterson of Dobyns-Bennett in his championship match.

“That just personifies what that little freshman is,” Science Hill coach Jimmy Miller said. “Is he the best kid in our room? Maybe not, but he works so hard and does everything you ask him to do.

“We put six kids in the finals and advanced 13 to the sectionals. We had a good round coming out of the consolations. This postseason can be a grind.”

Redford needed just 14 seconds to pin Morristown West’s Brodey Huskey in the heavyweight championship match.

“Last year, it was the same kid I just beat now,” Redford said. “I got him figured out and had to beat him again. Now, it’s off to sectionals and then to state.”

Medina dominated start to finish to win a 10-1 major decision at 195 over Jefferson County’s Jason Newton.

“It was a long match. He was very flexible, hard to pin,” Medina said. “He was hard to beat, but a good win.”

Other sectional qualifiers included third-place finishers — Robert Scott at 106, Bryson Wilhjelm at 126 and Perry Tate at 182. Fourth-place finishers were: Christian Nutter at 132,Ryan Touati at 145, Henry Hance at 160 and Nowlin Saylor at 170.

Dobyns-Bennett won the team championship 262.5 to 184 over Science Hill. Jefferson County finished third with 128 points.

Nine D-B wrestlers won individual championships.

Bryce Pulitzer at 106 pounds, Mason Jakob at 113, Titus Norman at 126, Gavin Armstrong at 132, Ben Tucker at 138, Max Norman at 160 and Garrett Crowder at 220 all won by pinfall.

Cannon Mullins at 145 and Jake Dempsey at 170 both scored 4-0 decisions in their final-round matches.

West Ridge had two wrestlers reach the final round — Tucker Brown at 132 and Brady Chatman at 145. Others to qualify for the sectionals were Brian Smith, who placed third at 120, and fourth-place Tyler Grubb at 182 and Josh Seto at 220.

Michael Hughes was the lone sectional qualifier for host Daniel Boone. Hughes placed third in the 138 weight class.

CROCKETT VICTORY

David Crockett defeated Tennessee High 182.5 to 163 to capture Saturday’s Region 1-A championship at Viking Hall. Greeneville was third in the team standings with 156.5 points.

It was quite a performance for the Ferrell family, who led the Pioneers to the championship.

Gabe Ferrell captured the 182-pound championship by pinning Elizabethton’s Aiden Morley in 32 seconds. Colton Ferrell pinned Hunter Gregg from West Greene in 55 seconds for the 170 title.

Jake Ferrell took a 6-2 decision over Austin Glass from Volunteer in the 132 final.

Other Crockett wrestlers to make the final round included: Blaine Smith at 106, Ethan Greear at 145, Felix Duncan at 160 and Brayden Vance at 285.

Also qualifying for the sectional round were: Graham Carriger at 120, Deszel Rambaad at 152, David Ingle at 195 and John Laws at 220.

TimesNews.net

Crockett captures Region 1-A wrestling title

• By JEFF BIRCHFIELD jbirchfield@johnsoncitypress.com
• Feb 11, 2023 Updated 9 hrs ago
•  
  •  

 

METRO CREATIVE

BRISTOL, Tenn. — The Ferrell family came through for the David Crockett wrestling team on Saturday.

Powered by three titles from the Ferrells, the Pioneers outpointed Tennessee High 182.5-163 to capture the Region 1-A championship at Viking Hall.

Gabe Ferrell claimed the 182 championship by pinning Elizabethton’s Aiden Morley in 32 seconds. Colton Ferrell pinned West Greene’s Hunter Gregg in 55 seconds for the 170 title. Jake Ferrell took a 6-2 decision over Volunteer’s Austin Glass in the 132 final.

Crockett’s Blaine Smith (106), Ethan Greear (145), Felix Duncan (160) and Brayden Vance (285) also reached the finals. Graham Carriger (120), Deszel Rambaad (152), David Ingle (195) and John Laws (220) joined their teammates in qualifying for next week’s sectionals.

Volunteer had three wrestlers advance. Evan Glass pinned Greeneville’s Hunter Shelton for the 113-pound championship. Austin Glass (132) moved on with his final-round appearance and Patrick Salyer (182) finished fourth to also advance.

Greeneville took third with 156.5 points.

 

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Chattanooga  NewsFreePress...

TSSAA wrestling roundup: Baylor, Cleveland, Soddy-Daisy win region titles

February 11, 2023 at 7:00 p.m

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Baylor senior Omaury Alvarez, right, was one of six individual champions Saturday for the Red Raiders, who dominated their way to the Division II East Region team title at home.

While the Baylor School wrestling program's streak of consecutive state duals championships was snapped last weekend at four in a row, the Red Raiders are well in the hunt to win the TSSAA Division II state traditional tournament for the fifth consecutive year.

Their road to redemption received positive results Saturday at home, as all 14 Baylor wrestlers qualified for next weekend's state tourney at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville. The Red Raiders also waltzed to the Division II East Region championship by scoring 280.5 team points, 50.5 more than runner-up MBA.

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/feb/11/tssaa-wrestling-roundup-baylor-cleveland-soddy/

CHATTANOOGAN...

(Thanks to  Mr Hunt)

Soddy Daisy Nips Signal Mountain In Region 4-A

Trojans Win By 15 Points With Five Champions

• Saturday, February 11, 2023
•  
• John Hunt

The Soddy Daisy Trojans and Signal Mountain Eagles are fast becoming pretty good rivals. At least that’s the case on the wrestling mat.

The Trojans finished third at the State Duals last Saturday while the Eagles finished second after barely escaping Soddy Daisy in the Region Duals a week earlier.

These same two teams got a chance to square off again on Saturday at Central High School in the Region 4-A tournament where the top four individuals in each weight class advance to the Sectionals next Saturday at Soddy Daisy.

The Trojans are headed in the right direction after winning Saturday’s gathering as they had five champions and advanced 11 individuals to next weekend’s Sectional.

They finished the show on Saturday with 253 points while Signal Mountain was second with 238.  The Eagles had four winners and advanced 10 to next week’s tournament.

East Hamilton was third with 152.5 points while Red Bank was fourth with 123.  East Ridge and Marion County tied for fifth place with 94 points each.

Soddy Daisy’s five champs included Cole Dyer at 106, Charles Duncan at 120, Braylan Cooper at 138, Elijah Turner at 160 and Louden Laxton at 195.

Signal’s four winners included all three Uhorchuks – JoJo at 113, Ethan at 126 and Caleb at 132 – in addition to Jackson Davis at 152.

Five other schools had one champion each, including Polk County’s Oleksaudr Warner at 145, Whitwell’s Bennett McDougal at 170, Red Bank’s Kobe Smith at 182, Hixson’s Maddox Gilkey at 220 and Marion County’s Keanun Cummings at 285.

Soddy Daisy coach Ulric Winesburgh was more focused on the success of his individuals than the team race, so it’s ironic that Signal Mountain coach Houston Clements is the one who told the bearded Trojan leader that his team had the title all wrapped up.

“My day didn’t start out great as one of our regulars didn’t make weight, but we just kept battling and ended up winning.  I was told that we had the lead the entire time, but it was coach Clements who offered his congratulations when he told me it was over,” Winesburgh said about the news given him near the end of the day.

“We still have two more weeks, but I’m so proud of my guys as they’re starting to believe in themselves.  They’ve worked hard all season and what we’ve been teaching is beginning to show.

“We got a lot of pins today and that was a key, but we have 11 who will wrestle next Saturday and I’m hopeful that all 11 will advance to the state the following week,” the soft-spoken coach added.

Clements wants to win as any coach in the business, but he was also quick to praise Soddy Daisy and the way they performed on Saturday.

“We had a really good day, but you just have to tip your cap to those guys from Soddy Daisy as they came ready to wrestle,” the personable Signal Mountain coach said later.

“We didn’t win, but there are still a lot of positives to take away from today’s tournament.  We had 10 who advanced, so that’s another step in the right direction.  It’s all about punching your ticket to the next round.

“I feel like the two of us have a great shot at winning in two weeks.  I really liked our effort today, especially three seniors who lost in the semifinals but came back to finish third,” he said in praise of Jackson Owens at 138, Jaxon Quails at 170 and Daniel Odom at 285.

“I think we got better today, but it’s great for us and for Soddy Daisy as they make us better and I think we make them better as well.  But it’s just a fun and healthy competition to be sure,” Clements added.

While Soddy Daisy had five winners, they had four who finished second and two who were fourth.  Signal Mountain had two in second place and four in third in addition to their four champs.

Next Saturday’s Sectional tournament will be at Soddy Daisy High School and not the Steve Henry Wrestling Arena on Highway 27.  The top four finishers in each weight advance to the state in Franklin, which will be held on Feb. 23-25.

LEGEND AND FINAL TEAM SCORES: 1. Soddy Daisy (SD) 253; 2. Signal Mountain (SM) 238; 3. East Hamilton (EH) 152.5; 4. Red Bank (RB) 123; 5. East Ridge (ER) and Marion County (MC) tied with 94; 7. Polk County (PC) 74.5; 8. Hixson (Hix) 71; 9. Whitwell (W) 59; 10. Sale Creek (SC) and Sequatchie County (Seq) tied with 45 each; 12. Brainerd (Br) and Chattanooga Central (Cen) tied with 38 each; 14. Tyner (Ty) 2.

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – Cole Dyer (SD) pinned Chris Lagorio (Hix), 4:36;

113 – JoJo Uhorchuk (SM) pinned Luke Carpenter (EH), 1:56;

120 – Charles Duncan (SD) pinned Roman Luker (EH), 1:36;

126 – Ethan Uhorchuk (SM) major dec. Andrew Lewis (SD), 12-0;

132 – Caleb Uhorchuk (SD) pinned William Whalen (SD), 1:00;

138 – Braylan Cooper (SD) dec. Wyatt Davis (W), 2-0;

145 – Oleksaudr Warner (PC) won by technical fall over Luke Richardson (EH), 21-5 in 4:00;

152 – Jackson Davis (SM) pinned Anthony Copeland (ER), 4:18;

160 – Elijah Turner (SD) won by forfeit over Eben Shriner (SM);

170 – Bennett McDougal (W) dec. Tucker Ross (SD), 7-6 in overtime;

182 – Kobe Smith (RB) pinned Caleb Richardson (EH), :48;

195 – Louden Laxton (SD) pinned Caleb Conn (ER), 4:19;

220 – Maddox Gilkey (Hix) pinned Jacob Winchester (SM), 1:22;

285 – Keanun Cummings (MC) pinned Jonathan Davis (SD), 5:34.

CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Luke Higdon (SM) dec. Victor Townes (RB), 7-5;

113 – Mason Shrum (MC) pinned Henry Varner (RB), 2:26;

120 – Kamarion Pritchett (ER) major dec. Cainan Long (MC), 14-0;

126 – Aaron Waller (EH) pinned Adam McDougal (W), 1:36;

132 – Nate Hollingsworth (EH) pinned Demetrius Brock (PC), 4:36;

138 – Jackson Owens (SM) major dec. James Owens (RB), 11-2;

145 – Gage Welch (SD) dec. Malachi Stephenson (RB), 10-8;

152 – Logan Rawlinson (SD) pinned Chris Dempsey (Br), 1:23;

160 – Justin Ellis (ER) won by medical forfeit overJosh Ramirez (MC);

170 – Jaxon Quails (SM) pinned Tavin Birdwell (Seq), :56;

182 – Randall Gray (Cen) pinned Ocean Brown (PC), 1:34;

195 – Adam Billingsley (Hix) dec. Michael Brooks (Br), 8-6;

220 – Micah Hardaway (RB) pinned Daniel Mendoza (Seq), 2:31;

285 – Daniel Odom (SM) pinned Matthew Fowler (RB), 2:30.

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

 

Chattanoogan...

Cleveland Wrestlers Barely Edge Bradley Central For Region 3-AA Crown

Blue Raiders Win By Razor Thin Margin, 263-262.5

• Saturday, February 11, 2023
•  
• Richard Roberts

Once again Region 3 will be well represented at next week's substate match at The Howard School, in Chattanooga to see which wrestlers will head on to Franklin for the state individual tournament beginning Feb. 13.

The tournament will run through Saturday, Feb. 25.

Baylor Rolls To D-II, East Region Mat Title

Red Raiders Have Six Champs, 14 State Qualifiers In Win

• Saturday, February 11, 2023
•  
• John Hunt

Last Saturday was a humbling experience for the Baylor wrestling team as they got upset by Father Ryan in the championship finals of the D-II-AAA State Duals in Franklin, denying the Red Raiders a shot at winning that title for the fifth straight year.

No question, those guys in red singlets had a little soul searching to do this week, but everything seems to be back on track after rolling to the team championship in the Division II, East Region at Baylor’s Jimmy Duke Arena on Saturday.

Baylor advanced all 14 individuals to next week’s D-II traditional state tournament, which will be held in Nashville at Montgomery Bell Academy and finished the one-day event with 280.5 points.

MBA was a distant second with 230 while Lakeway Christian was third with 178.5, McCallie fourth with 144 and Boyd Buchanan fifth with 135.

Baylor coach Rex Kendle was a disappointed fellow last Saturday when the Purple Irish prevailed, but he was much happier a week later.

“I thought we competed hard today and we’re taking all 14 next week, so that was really important,” Kendle said while his team members were rolling up the mats following the action.

“Today was a good day for us as we were really hungry and completely ready to wrestle.  

“The best part for us was having Micah Tisdale back after missing last week after having an emergency appendectomy. He was cleared to wrestle on Thursday and I’m sure he’s not 100 percent, but I was so happy to see him back on the mat as he totally lifts everyone’s spirit.

“And now we can turn our focus on next week’s tournament,” he added.

Baylor had six individual champions after sending eight to the championship finals.  MBA was next with three while Lakeway Christian and Boyd Buchanan had two each.  Chattanooga Christian had one.

Baylor’s winners included Ollie Phillips at 106, Nate Askew at 138, Tisdale at 145, Hunter Sturgill at 152, Odin Phillips at 160 and Omaury Alvarez.

MBA’s three champs included Hudson Frazier at 120, Gabe Fisher at 220 and Max Fisher at 285.  Lakeway’s two winners included Spencer Reep at 126 and Cameron Helton at 132 while Boyd’s two champs included Nolen Hardman at 113 and Kaiden Bates at 170.

Ryder Smith was the champ at 195 for CCS.

While Baylor had six champs, they had two who finished second, three in third, one in fourth and two in fifth place.

Jacob Bond (113) and George Emendorfer (132) both finished second while Chase Hart (126), Gilbert Stein (220) and Samuel Rose (285) all finished third.

Dylan Crawford was fourth at 195 while N.Y. Cofer and Grady Joyner were both fifth at 120 and 170 pounds respectively.

Next weekend’s tournament at MBA begins at 10 a.m. (CST) on Friday with the Round of 16 and will be followed by the championship quarters and two rounds of consolations.

The consolation semis kick off Saturday’s action, also at 10, and will be followed by the consolation finals for third and fifth place at noon before the Parade of Champions at 3:30 and the championship finals at 4.

LEGEND AND FINAL TEAM SCORES: 1. Baylor (Bay) 280.5; 2. Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) 230; 3. Lakeway Christian (LC) 178.5; 4. McCallie (McC) 144; 5. Boyd Buchanan (BB) 135; 6. Chattanooga Christian (CCS) 124; 7. Friendship Christian (FC) 93; 8. Notre Dame (ND) 75.5; 9. Knoxville Grace Christian (KGC) 48; 10. Knoxville Catholic (KCath) 34; 11. Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK) 26; 12. Knoxville Webb (KW) 20; 13. Silverdale Baptist Academy (SBA) and St. Andrew’s-Sewanee (SAS) with 10 each.

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – Ollie Phillips (Bay) dec. Axel Ritchie (McC), 3-2;

113 – Nolen Hardman (BB) dec. Jacob Bond (Bay), 5-3;

120 – Hudson Frazier (MBA) dec. Tate Williams (BB), 4-3;

126 – Spencer Reep (LC) major dec. Luke Braman (ND), 11-2;

132 – Cameron Helton (LC) dec. George Emendorfer (Bay), 9-5;

138 – Nate Askew (Bay) dec. Caleb Gumlick (LC), 7-3;

145 – Micah Tisdale (Bay) dec. Mac Rusi (MBA), 4-1 in overtime;

152 – Hunter Sturgill (Bay) major dec. Chase Eakes (FC), 11-1;

160— Odin Phillips (Bay) dec. James Cross (McC), 5-2;

170 – Kaiden Bates (BB) major dec. Logan Mavroff (KGC), 12-0; 

182 – Omaury Alvarez (Bay) dec. Johnothon Moore (MBA), 4-2;

195 – Ryder Smith (CCS) dec. Browning Trainer (MBA), 7-4;

220 – Gabe Fisher (MBA) pinned Cooper Gentle (McC), 2:27;

285 – Max Fisher (MBA) dec. Devin Lively (FC), 4-0.

CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Luke Brock (MBA) pinned Luke Kibelbek (LC), 3:19;

113 – J.D. Patton (CCS) dec. Luke Johns (MBA), 5-1;

120 – Cole Gumlick (LC) dec. Jed Pierce (McC), 4-0;

126 – Chase Hart (Bay) dec. A.J. Jolly (CCS), 7-0;

132 – Jake Frazier (MBA) dec. Braden Ryan (McC), 4-3;

138 – Carter Rowlett (BB) dec. Callen Bridgman (CCS), 9-5;

145 – Jay Eversole (LC) dec. Tyson Wolcott (FC), 3-1;

152 – Nicholas Ridings (McC) dec. Aidan Dooley (LC), 8-5;

160— Austin Johnson (BB) dec. Ryan Comfort (GCK), 3-0;

170 – Sheridan Kyle (CCS) dec. Dylan Vintrov (ND), 3-1 in overtime; 

182 – Eli Etherton (CAK) dec. JaVon McMahan (McC), 5-1;

195 – Jadon Vintrov (ND) dec. Dylan Crawford (Bay), 1-0; 

220 – Gilbert Stein (Bay) dec. Carlando Barton (FC), 3-2;

285 – Samuel Rose (Bay) dec. Kegan Tennell (LC), 2-1.

CONSOLATION FINALS FOR FIFTH PLACE

106 – Bentley Edwards (BB) major dec. Gavin Mize (CCS), 11-3;

113 – Brody Connell (McC) pinned Colby Weaver (GCK), 4:31; 

120 – N.Y. Cofer (Bay) dec. Dayton Burton (FC), 13-6;

126 – David Bellet (MBA) pinned Harbor Bent (BB), 4:56;

132 – Brady Lawson (ND) dec. Jack Quigley (KW), 7-4; 

138 – Channing Anthony (FC) dec. Eric Crawford (MBA), 4-0;

145 – Cannon Voiles (McC) major dec. Seth Hart (ND), 10-1;

152 – Ethan Klindt (MBA) won by forfeit over Jackson Turner (CCS);

160— Brody Castro (LC) won by medical forfeit over Conor Corby (MBA);

170 – Grady Joyner (Bay) dec. Nathaniel Nelson (MBA), 3-2 in overtime;

182 – Jonah Bumgarner (CCS) major dec. Xander Hatcher (BB), 9-0;

195 – Will Eversole (LC) pinned Paul Lyles (KCath), 2:16;

220 – Tucker Darga (CAK) won with a bye;

285 – Christopher Bertucci (KCath) won by medical forfeit over Carson Gentle (McC).

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

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

Knoxville 

Seymour wrestlers step up at Region 3-A individual tournament

• Tyler Wombles tyler.wombles@thedailytimes.com
• 10 hrs ago

 

1 of 4

 

• Scott Keller | The Daily Times

 

 

 

• Scott Keller | The Daily Times

 

 

 

 

• Scott Keller | The Daily Times

 

 

 

 

• Scott Keller | The Daily Times

 

Seymour’s wrestlers showed something specific to coach Craig Johnson on Saturday.

At Alcoa High School in the Region 3-A individual wrestling tournament, the Eagles didn’t back down from stiff competition, earning a second-place team finish behind Pigeon Forge.

“We had a few guys really step up for us,” Johnson told The Daily Times. “A couple kids out-placed their seed, and that’s what I’m looking for is guys that are going to show up and beat somebody that maybe they lost to before. A couple of our guys did that today. That really helped us out on the boards.”

Seymour fielded two top finishers Saturday, with Samuel Comes defeating Cocke County’s Jacob Stanton in the 106 weight class finals and Keegan Perkins topping Pigeon Forge’s Lukas Pratt to win the 132 class.

Eight Eagles finished within the top four of their weight classes, which booked their tickets to sectional action. Some wrestlers whom Seymour thought would advance didn’t, and finishing second overall wasn’t what it hoped for, but Johnson knows it’s all part of the process of getting his team to where he wants it to be.

There are other benefits, too.

“That’s one good thing about having tough kids in this tournament is you get to see them a couple of times before state,” Johnson said. “That way, when it really counts, you have the experience. You kind of know about who you’re wrestling and you can make adjustments.”

Highlights, disappointments for Alcoa: Six Alcoa wrestlers advanced to sectionals Saturday on a day coach Brian Gossett felt presented a mixed bag.

“There were some spots where it could have gone either way, gone in either direction,” Gossett said. “It’s always tough when a kid’s season ends. They put a lot of time and effort into it … If you make the state tournament now, you go through all these qualifiers and stuff, you know you’ve really earned it.”

Alcoa finished fifth overall. Some of the Tornadoes’ highlights included Samir Shereef beating Samuel Everett’s Tyson Click to win the 220 weight class, Owen McCall earning his 100th career win, Brandon Mora bouncing back from injury to field success and senior Ryan Stephens advancing to sectionals, too.

“Just a real good effort by all of our guys,” Gossett said. “So I was proud of them.”

As expected for Samuel Everett: The seven Samuel Everett School of Innovation wrestlers who earned sectional berths helped the Bulldogs’ plan work as expected.

Samuel Everett expected seven or eight wrestlers to advance, according to coach Joey Evans. Colton Relation took first place in the 120 weight class, as did Lane Cope did so in the 138 class.

“We put five in the finals today,” Evans said. “Obviously happy about that. I thought we had one or two that had a chance to be there, but they made it through in the third and fourth-place matches. It’s all about survive-and-advance right now. You don’t have to be first. You just have to (be in the) top four.”

Evans wasn’t happy with the team’s overall finish of third place, but considering the Bulldogs’ roster situation and what they’ve already accomplished this season, positives can be found simply in the experience.

“Our team goal for the year in the duals is to finish second in the region, and that was our goal coming in today,” Evans said. “So third (place), there’s a little disappointment there, but still, just looking at what we have, these guys are all freshmen and sophomores.

“We got a lot of learning experiences today that hopefully we’ll be able to take to practice this week, tighten that up, try to make sure that we don’t duplicate those mistakes and come out better for us next week and then hopefully into the state tournament.”

Young Greenback impresses coach:Finishing in ninth place out of 11 teams Saturday may not suit some programs, but for Greenback, which didn’t even have a team last season, there’s more to consider than that.

“We’re mostly eighth grade kids,” Greenback coach Bryce Ruis said. “We have four eighth graders, a 10th grader and an 11th grader. … Overall, I’m pretty proud of our wrestlers, how we did this season. They’re a young team. We’ve got a lot to look forward to the next couple years.”

Despite such adversity, two Greenback wrestlers qualified for sectionals Saturday, as Cory Manuel placed third in the 120 weight class and Joseph Breedlove finished fourth in the 138 class.

Ruis himself is in his first year with the team, giving him the same amount of experience as some of his wrestlers.

“I came into this as a head coach with almost no experience in wrestling,” Ruis said. “Some of our kids came into it with little experience. We had a few that had some. First year back with a program after that year hiatus, overall, I think we’ve had some tremendous growth this year.”

Tyler Wombles

Tyler is a sports reporter at The Daily Times. A University of Tennessee alumnus, he previously was the newspaper's cops/courts reporter, as well as the sports editor at The Advocate & Democrat, a fellow APG publication.

https://www.thedailytimes.com/sports/seymour-wrestlers-step-up-at-region-3-a-individual-tournament/article_001ca716-aa41-11ed-a1fc-9701200fe266.html

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

There will be some coverage coming from Middle Tennessee, and so far this is all I've seen for the west side...

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Newcomer and ‘underdog’ among regional wrestling victors
By John Varlas, Daily Memphian
Updated: February 11, 2023 9:38 PM CT | Published: February 11, 2023 8:05 PM 

Damen Pullen of Collierville High faces off against Houston High's Jacob Geiser on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Collierville High in the 132-pound division at the Region Championship.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Pullen picked up the win and his third region title.</strong>&nbsp;(Joshua White/Special to The Daily Memphian) 

Damen Pullen of Collierville High faces off against Houston High's Jacob Geiser on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Collierville High in the 132-pound division at the Region Championship. Pullen picked up the win and his third region title. (Joshua White/Special to The Daily Memphian)
 
The top four finishers in each weight class of the Region 8 Tournament in Collierville advance to next weekend’s sectionals, which will be hosted by Independence High. 

TOPICS
JOAQUIN GOGUE WRESTLING DAMEN PULLEN CHARLES BALDWIN
John Varlas
John Varlas is a lifelong Memphian who has covered high school sports in various capacities for over 20 years.
   
© 2023 The Daily Memphian | Contact Us | FAQ | Additional Subscription Options | Work With Us | About Us | Privacy Policy

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

9 area wrestlers crowned region champion, 49 advance to next stage of competition

By Ryan Vinson 

Clarksville Now

February 12, 2023 1:42 pm

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – On Saturday, wrestling’s individual post-season kicked off for the boys. Most CMCSS programs attended the Region 6 Class AA tournament at Springfield High School.

Meanwhile Montgomery Central’s boys traveled to the Region 7 Class A tournament at Sycamore High School, and Clarksville Academy traveled to Memphis for the Division 2 West tournament.

 

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – On Saturday, wrestling’s individual post-season kicked off for the boys. Most CMCSS programs attended the Region 6 Class AA tournament at Springfield High School.

Meanwhile Montgomery Central’s boys traveled to the Region 7 Class A tournament at Sycamore High School, and Clarksville Academy traveled to Memphis for the Division 2 West tournament.

Clarksville was well represented on the podiums at the end of the day, with at least one finalist in every weight class at the Region 6 tournament. In all, area wrestlers claimed nine of the possible 14 championships at that event.

For most of the public schools, the top four from each region advance to the sectional tournaments. For Montgomery Central, it was the top six in some weight classes. For Clarksville Academy, their division does not have a sectional, and the top six go straight to the D2 state tournament next weekend.

 

Here are the boys advancing in each weight class and their final placings. Because there were multiple tournaments, there are multiple athletes listed for some placings:

106 lbs

• 2nd – Sincere Puryear (NWHS)
• 3rd – Emmanuel Claybrooks (NEHS)
• 4th – Jack Catellier (CA), Joseph Cunningham (MCHS), Jacob Gorman (RHS)

113 lbs

• 2nd – Nick Collins (RHS)
• 3rd – Micah Howe (CHS)

120 lbs

• Champion – Garrett Furnas (WCHS)
• 3rd – Gabe Metz (CHS)
• 4th – Cruz Rodriguez (RHS)
• 5th – Landon Wommack (MCHS)

126 lbs

• 2nd – Reese Levendusky (MCHS), Ben Mayberry (RHS)
• 3rd – Kade Shipley (CHS)
• 4th – Aiden Renken (WCHS)

132 lbs

• Champion – Jacob Miller (RHS)
• 4th – Ethan Avila (WCHS)
• 5th – Craig Sudderth (MCHS)

138 lbs

• Champion – Max Landrum (RHS)
• 2nd – Sean Johnson (KHS)
• 3rd – Jeremy Mills (MCHS), Ty Hutchens (WCHS)
• 4th – Niko Gottlick (CHS)

145 lbs

• Champion – Seth Robles (CHS)
• 2nd – Osvaldo Resendiz (RHS)

152 lbs

• 2nd – Ethan Cunningham (NWHS)
• 3rd – Levi Mayfield (MCHS)
• 4th – Robert Frost (RHS)

160 lbs

• Champion – Jack Stein (CHS)
• 2nd – Mason Fierge (WCHS)
• 6th – Ryan Babuscio (MCHS)

170 lbs

• 2nd – Ahmoyre Galbreath (CHS)
• 3rd – Derek Garis (NWHS)
• 4th – Kaden Perkins (MCHS), Phillip Shipstead (RHS)

182 lbs

• Champion – Aidan Brenot (CHS)
• 2nd – Tristan Samuelson (RHS)
• 3rd – Standford Thompson (WCHS)
• 4th – Kevin Shaw (NWHS)
• 6th – Landon Ray (CA)

195 lbs

• Champion – Joshua Ward (WCHS)
• 2nd – Frederick Ellis (KHS)
• 3rd – Jace Powell (CHS)
• 4th – Immanuel Gilmore (MCHS)

220 lbs

• Champion – Peyton Langon (CHS)
• 4th – Thomas Shipstead (RHS)

285 lbs

• Champion – Roldon Timothy (NWHS)
• 3rd – Oscar Escobedo (CHS)
• 4th – Aydan Andalon (WCHS)

Team points

At an individual tournament, wrestlers still score team points for their schools based on their performance in order to see which school did best overall. For the first time since 2012, Clarksville High School had the most team points (216.5) and were crowned region champions. Rossview came in second with 191 and West Creek claimed third with 168.5. Montgomery Central finished in the top four at their tournament as well.

What’s next

Boys action resumes on Saturday, Feb. 18. Clarksville Academy’s boys will compete in the Division II State Tournament at Montgomery Bell Academy. Montgomery Central’s boys will travel to Millington Central High School for their sectional, while the other CMCSS schools will travel to Antioch High School.

All area girls will compete in their regional tournament Friday, Feb. 17 at Bartlett High School.

Clarification: Ty Hutchens (WCHS) has been added to 3rd place for the 138 lb. division. 

Christian Brown 

Christian Brown, Sports Reporter for Clarksville Now. If needed you can reach me at cbrown@5starradio.com or at 931-648-7720

Edited February 12, 2023 by soms2

[soms2]

Athens Press…

Central's Gio Broling, three McMinn wrestlers advance to sectionals

From staff reports Feb 12, 2023 

One McMinn Central wrestler has advanced past the round of region in the program’s first year back in competition in more than a decade.

Gio Broling finished fourth place at 113 pounds in the Region 3-A tournament Saturday at Alcoa High School. With his finish, the sophomore qualified for the Section 2-A tournament, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 18, at Soddy-Daisy High School.

Central restarted its wrestling program this season under head coach Jon Rechtorovic after having been dormant since 2010.

Meanwhile, McMinn County advanced three wrestlers after action in the Region 3-AA tournament Saturday at Bradley Central High School.

Joseph Douglas finished in third place at 113 pounds, Nick Vincent third at 170 and NaQuan Vincent fourth at 195. Douglas and the Vincents move on to the Section 2-AA tournament Saturday, Feb. 18, at Howard High School.
Wrestlers who finish within the top four in the sectional tournament advance to the TSSAA state tournament.

Broling won his first-round match by pin in 3:56 over Brian Donahue of Northview Academy. He then lost by pin to eventual region champion Ricky Lester of Stone Memorial, but bounced back in consolations with a 19-7 major decision win over Pigeon Forge’s Ferdinand Rivera to qualify for the sectional. Broling lost the third-place match by pin to Cocke County’s Jayden Mondragon.
Douglas, a sophomore, fell by pin to eventual region titlist Chase Walker of Cleveland, but then pinned Ooltewah’s Maxwell Douglas in 1:20 to take third.

Nick Vincent, a junior, pinned Rhea County’s Jason Johnson in the first round in 2:21, then lost by pin to Cleveland’s Lucas Szymborski, the eventual region champion. Vincent bounced back with a 4-0 decision win over Walker Valley’s Joshua Van Wyk, then pinned Ooltewah’s Jaden Harbin in 4:11 in the third-place match.

NaQuan Vincent, a senior, began with a pin in 2:55 of Howard’s Cortez Houser, then took a 15-0 technical fall loss to eventual champion Tyson Russel of Cleveland. Vincent pinned Rhea’s Martin Campos in 1:31 to clinch his sectional berth, then lost by pin in the third-place match to Bradley Central’s Lane Hicks.
Central placed 10th as a team in the Region 3-A tournament. Clifton Wilson, at 170 pounds, also finished in sixth place for the Chargers.

McMinn finished sixth as a team in the Region 3-AA tournament. Five other Cherokees placed sixth in their respective weight classes: Brayden Fletcher (106), Isaiah Ison (138), Evan Guffey (145), Jared Pettitt (160) and Brad Simmons (220).

https://google.com/chrome/go-mobile

[soms2]

Crossville Coverage 

Seven local wrestlers advance to sectional meet

• Scott Wilson 
• 17 hrs ago

A total of seven local high school wrestlers performed well enough at the Class A, Region 3 Championships Saturday in Alcoa to qualify for the sectional championships Feb. 18 at Soddy-Daisy High School. 

Stone Memorial had four wrestlers finish in the top four of each weight division to earn berths in next Saturday’s big event. Cole Lester won the 113-pound division and Sam Bringhurst captured the title at 152 pounds. The other Panthers moving on are Aubrey Thompson at 145 pounds and Khalli Dishman, wrestling at 195 pounds.  Both finished second. 

“Sam Bringhurst, who was seeded third, upset both of the higher seeds to become champion,” said Stone Memorial coach Brian Parker. “Cole performed as expected to win regions at 113. Khalli Dishman upset the No. 2 seed, who had pinned him a few weeks ago, to place second at 195. Aubrey was winning in the finals at 145 but got caught in a cradle and pinned.” 

Cumberland County will be represented at the sectional championships by three wrestlers. Marcus Pedde finished third at 170 pounds, while Benjamin Hulburt finished fourth at 182 pounds. Jacob Nealen, wrestling at 285 pounds, finished third. 

“I was very pleased with the way our guys wrestled,” said Cumberland County coach Brad Eich. “They fought hard and represented our team, school and community well.” 

Jack Nealey opened the action for Stone Memorial at 106 pounds with one win in three matches. He knocked off Robert Powers of McMinn Central in round one of the consolation bracket. Lester beat Giovanni Broling of McMinn Central in the semifinals at 113 pounds and then took down Cayden Zeits of Seymour in the championship match. 

Avery Scoville, wrestling at 120 pounds, lost both of his matches. Dalton Platz finished sixth at 126 pounds. He knocked off Jerik Oaks of Cumberlaand County in the second round of the consolation bracket and Trey Andrews of McMinn Central. Chanler Gavin won one of three matches in the 132-pound division for the Panthers when he beat Jake Sheffey of McMinn Central. 

Stone’s Brice Martin competed at 138 pounds, but he lost both of his matches. Aubrey Thompson went out and beat Creed Bain of McMinn Central in the quarterfinals of 145 pounds and then he knocked off Adam Fife of Samuel Everett in the semifinals. He lost to Ayden Hood of Pigeon Forge in the championship match. 

Bringhurst rolled through the competition at 152 pounds by beating James Lawson of Cumberland County and Wyatt Payne of Samuel Everett before taking down Dawson Trentham of Pigeon Forge in the title contest. 

Stone’s Trenton Duncan finished sixth overall after he lost in the semifinals of the consolation bracket at 160 pounds. Aden Thompson won a first round match at 170 pounds against Isaac Gomez of Alcoa before losing in the quarterfinals and the consolation bracket. Dishman had a tough road to his second-place finish at 195 pounds. He beat Kenny Harris of Alcoa in the semifinals but fell in the title match to Aiden Howard of Pigeon Forge. 

Marcus Pedde won three of his four matches at 170 pounds to finish third overall for Cumberland County. He beat Aden Thompson of Stone Memorial, Andrew Reynolds of Northview and Skyler Campbell of Seymour. 

Jacob Nealon also finished third at 285 pounds for the Jets. He beat Howard Covert of Greenback in the opener, but lost his next match. He closed out the day by beating Rhyin McCourt of Alcoa and Brandon Vanmeter of Northview. Hulburt finished fourth overall at 182 pounds, winning two of four contests. He beat Garrett Breeden of Alcoa and Cooper Burrow of Greenback. 

Thomas Kerley represented Cumberland County at 120 pounds and lost both of his matches. Jerik Oaks lost both of his matches at 126 pounds, but Jacob Voss, wrestling at 132 pounds, won one of two contests, beating Cortland Williams of Northview Academy. Jacob Atkinson won one of three contests at 138 pounds, beating Charles Sharpe of Alcoa. 

Wyatt Sharpe took down Creed Bain of McMinn Central at 145 pounds and James Lawson, wrestling at 152 pounds for Cumberland County, won one of three matches when he beat Tyler Gildersleeve of Northview. Matthew Patton received a bye in the first round at 160 pounds but lost each of his next two matches. 

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

Cheatham County Sports

Sycamore wrestlers qualify for sectional tournament

• By Casey Patrick Main Street Media

Sycamore wrestling finished with five region champions as 11 kids qualified for the sectional tournament.

Four Harpeth wrestlers are headed to Sectional Tournament

• SUBMITTED Main Street Media

The Harpeth High School Wrestling Team will advance four wrestlers to the TSSAA Section 4 Tournament on Saturday, February 18.

Franklin Co Coverage 

Marin advances to sectional wrestling tourney

 

Franklin County's SI Marin brings Siegel's Erik Moreno to the ground during a match at the Region 4AA individual tournament Saturday at Riverdale High School. Marin pinned Moreno in 3:53 to clinch a berth to the Section 2AA tournament.

Staff Photo by Sam Cowan

Six members of the Franklin County High School boys wrestling team competed in the Region 4AA individual tournament Saturday at Riverdale High School.

The top four finishers in each weight class earned berths to the Section 2AA tournament with sophomore SI Marin meeting this qualifying mark by finishing fourth in the 182-pound bracket.

Marin opened the tournament with a pinfall loss to Rockvale’s Mitchai Kanjanabout in 1:27 to send him down to the consolation bracket.

He returned to the mat with a match against Siegel’s Erik Moreno in the consolation semifinals, and Moreno jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in the first round.

Marin was able to score some points with a reversal and an escape in the second round, but Moreno matched his score with an escape and a takedown to put Marin in a 7-4 hole going into the final round.

With a spot in the sectional tournament on the line, Marin ensured the match wouldn’t come down to points as he scored a takedown and turned Moreno into a pin for the victory in 3:53.

He then went up against Blackman’s Kadyen Abel in the third-place match with Abel getting the pinfall win in 3:35 as Marin settled for a fourth-place finish on the day.

Eli McLean and Zaelyn Smith both ended the event with records of 1-2 with McLean coming one match short of a sectional berth in the 132-pound division.

McLean fell to Coffee Count’s Jeremiah Wardell in 41 seconds via pinfall to start the day, but he rebounded by pinning Smyrna’s Daniel Snodgrass in 4:14 in the first round of the consolation bracket.

However, McLean’s run would end in the next round as he lost to Rockvale’s Jerell Johnson in a 16-1 technical fall for the consolation semifinals.

Smith went the distance with Rockvale’s Jack Jarboe in opening round of the 220-pound bracket before losing in a 17-6 major decision.

Smith was able to stay alive in the bracket after pinning Stewarts Creek’s Caleb Taylor in 1:53, but he was later pinned by Siegel’s Joshua Miller in the consolation quarterfinals in 2:26.

Kaiden Odell, Alexander Murphy and Tagg Jones represented Franklin County at the tournament as well with each getting swept out of their respective brackets by consecutive pinfall losses.

Odell lost to Blackman’s Mason Sells in 14 seconds and Shelbyville Central’s Nalen Bowden in 25 seconds for the 145-pound bracket, Murphy fell to Rockvale’s Jacob Teems in 33 seconds and Coffee County’s Tommy Miller in 2:03 in the 152-pound division, and Jones took pins from Coffee County’s Blayne Myers and Rockvale’s Steven Nelson in 10 seconds and 24 seconds, respectively, in the 285-pound bracket.

Marin will next compete in the Section 2AA individual tournament Saturday at The Howard School. A start time for the event had not been confirmed at the time of writing.

The FCHS girls wrestling team will host the Region 2 girls individual tournament on Friday. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

https://www.heraldchronicle.com/sports/local/marin-advances-to-sectional-wrestling-tourney/article_a3881152-aa7c-11ed-9d25-279af22e1f85.html

• SPORTS WRITER Sam Cowan
• Feb 12, 2023 Updated 16 hrs ago

Edited February 15, 2023 by soms2

[soms2]

Just found this Williamson Co coverage...

 

High School Wrestling 

https://www.williamsonherald.com/sports/state-wrestling-summit-challenges-dual-champions-falters-in-consolation/article_18134762-a50f-11ed-8b2a-4bbfebd452ef.html

State Wrestling: Summit challenges dual champions, falters in consolation

• By Charles Pulliam • Sports Editor 
• Feb 4, 2023 Updated Feb 9, 2023

 

Buy Now

Luke Justice 

Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

FRANKLIN – Dual disappointment. Twice over. 

After advancing to a third consecutive Class AA State Dual Wrestling Championship, the Summit High School boys reached the challenge they wanted Saturday by wrestling Tennessee royalty in now six-time defending state duals champion Cleveland. It was the second meeting in three years for the Spartans against the powerhouse program on the state stage and ultimately resulted in another narrow setback. 

“These guys have prepared for this and that’s why we have the Spartan Wrestling Club so we take these guys and travel all over the country to get them exposure, but we just have to be more prepared – I have to be more prepared,” said Summit coach Pete Miller, who hails from the same Chattanooga-area hot-bed of wrestling and has steadily built Summit into a contender over the last decade. 

State Dual Wrestling Photo Gallery – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

The Summit High School boys' wrestling team dropped a 33-28 Class AA semifinal match against Cleveland on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin. 

1 of 18

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Peters Savarino 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Peters Savarino 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Blaise Masi 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Noah Hajek 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Zachary Little 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Jarvis Little 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Jarvis Little 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Michael Posey 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Finley Jameson 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Noah Felts 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Pete Miller 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Jensen Schreiber 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Jensen Schreiber 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Luke Justice 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Luke Justice 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Brayden Leach 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Cleveland, Class AA Semifinal

Thomas O'Leary 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

Miller and his team plunged everything they had into the semifinal matchup after dispatching Maryville 52-21 in the first round at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center. 

“We poured our heart and soul into it. We threw everything we had at them,” Miller said. “It came down to the last match and that’s what we wanted, but hey, state duals are just flat out tough … it came down to bonus points and they’ve been here and done it before and it showed.” 

The Spartans battled to a 17-17 tie pushing the Blue Raiders through nine matches before Cleveland ripped through the lighter weights to build a big enough cushion heading into Summit anchors and top-ranked hammers in juniors Jarvis Little and Landon Desselle. 

Defending state individual champion Little won his match at 126 pounds by technical fall to lift Summit within 30-22 with two matches to go, but the opponent he beat in last year’s individual semifinals – Bentley Ellison – scored a 5-3 decision at 132 against Michael Posey to stretch the Cleveland lead enough to forfeit the final match with Desselle in waiting. 

Cleveland had picked up a 14-3 major decision at 106 and an 11-second pin at 113 to gain the advantage after sweating through the heavier weights – all Summit wins. A 9-3 decision at 120 with Zac Bosken edging out Little’s freshman brother, Zachery, added to the momentum swing. 

Cleveland advanced to the state finals with a 33-28 victory and went on to defeat rival Bradley Central for a sixth consecutive state duals championship after a 36-27 win. 

“We really came in with the belief that we could be state champs,” said Summit senior Luke Justice, who wrestled up at 220 and edged Cleveland’s Tyson Russell, 3-2, in the semis. “That was a very winnable match against Cleveland. A couple things went wrong for us. We have to grow from it. 

“It was a tough and crazy match, but we came up short.” 

Justice’s narrow decision was sandwiched between teammates Jensen Schreiber and Peters Savarino. Schreiber collected a 6-1 decision at 195 and Savarino outlasted Stonewall Shurette in the heavyweight match to provide the tying decision. 

Fellow senior Finley Jameson credited the trio for boosting the entire Spartan sea of orange supporters. 

“Honestly, what those guys did was just beautiful,” said Jameson, who majored Cleveland’s Dylan Harrold at 170. “They rose to the occasion and some of our other guys did, too, but then some others fell into the pressure.” 

The senior said the loss was especially sour because he and his teammates reached a goal, but fell short. And they didn't bounce back. 

About 20 minutes after the semifinal setback, the Spartans took on Dobyns Bennett in consolation and ultimately fell 32-31 with the last match at 145 pounds – a 3-2 Cannon Mullins decision over Spartan Patrick Brew – deciding the dual and propelling Dobyns Bennett into the third-place match where they made similar work against Wilson Central in a second meeting Saturday. 

“It’s just really disappointing,” Jameson said. "We needed to do better and just didn't have it." 

From the flip to the finish, Dobyns Bennett seemingly held a bit of an edge by trading wins, just like how they challenged Wilson Central in the first round before falling 31-30 and how they slipped past Brentwood in a unique tie-breaker in consolation to stay alive. 

Unlike in the semifinals for Summit, the upper weights belonged to Dobyns Bennett and despite winning four of five matches late, the Spartans sputtered. 

“That’s just not how I wanted my last dual to go, you know,” said Jameson, who had to battle Max Norman at 170 in the final dual in a rematch of last year’s state championship at 145 pounds – also won by Norman. “I tried not to give up the bonus points, but I just couldn’t get out in the third. He’s a tough kid obviously and nationally ranked. 

“I just have to get back in the practice room and regroup, refocus and get back here. We all do.” 

Miller, his staff and the team spent about 15 minutes discussing the close to the day and how the back-to-back losses on the state stage don’t define the Spartans.

“We as a team have to do a better job at bouncing back,” Miller said. “We have to refocus – plain and simple. We can’t beat ourselves up anymore and allow us to dwell on it because we got three more tough weeks to be able to get back at it and we’re going to finish right here again.” 

The individual state wrestling championships for Division I are scheduled to return to Franklin on Feb. 23. The Spartans finished sixth in the team standings last year with seven wrestlers qualifying for the state tournament. 

Little won the school’s first boys’ state title as a sophomore, Jameson was runner-up at 145, Desselle settled for a third-place showing at 132 and Justice placed sixth at 182 to lead the Spartan boys. 

“It’s time to move on, bounce back and get back to work,” Justice said. “We will go win some individual titles now.” 

State Dual Wrestling Photo Gallery – Class AA Opening Rounds

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Maryville, Class AA 1st Round

Landon Desselle 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Maryville, Class AA 1st Round

Finley Jameson 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Bradley Central, Class AA 1st Round

Clark Vaughn 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

 

 

 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Bradley Central, Class AA 1st Round

Clark Vaughn 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Bradley Central, Class AA 1st Round

Wyatt Gibbs 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Bradley Central, Class AA 1st Round

Ruger Humble 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Maryville, Class AA 1st Round

Zachery Little 

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State Dual Wrestling – Summit vs. Maryville, Class AA 1st Round

Jarvis Little 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Bradley Central, Class AA 1st Round

Jackson Ard 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Bradley Central, Class AA 1st Round

Damon Smith and Will Slassor 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Dobyns Bennett, Class AA Consolation

Graham Stanley 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Dobyns Bennett, Class AA Consolation

Aidan Scruggs 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Dobyns Bennett, Class AA Consolation

Judson Jarrett 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Dobyns Bennett, Class AA Consolation

Judson Jarrett 

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State Dual Wrestling – Brentwood vs. Dobyns Bennett, Class AA Consolation

Arash Yazdani 

• Photo by Charles Pulliam @cspulliam 

 

The Brentwood boys also advanced to the state duals, reaching the big stage for the first time since 2018. The Bruins battled, but fell to eventual runner-up Bradley Central 48-22 in their opener. 

Despite giving up three consecutive pins against Dobyns Bennett in consolation at 113, 120 and 126, Brentwood’s Judson Jarrett scored a 8-3 decision win over Gavin Armstrong and 138-pounder Arash Yazdani pinned Ben Tucker early in the second period to knot the dual at 36-36. 

After about 10 minutes of working through the scores, Dobyns Bennett was awarded the win after going to the fifth tie-breaker: most points scored first in each of the 14 matches. Dobyns Bennett claimed the first points in 9 of 14 matches to advance. 

There were no misconduct points. Both teams managed five pins apiece and neither scored a major or technical fall to send the tie-breaker deep into the rulebook. 

“We did everything we could,” Yazdani said. “It was just so close. I think this Brentwood team has the most potential in a while, though, and we put it all on the line. We were right there and that’s all that matters. 

“Now it’s time to get back to work and try to get back here.” 

State Wrestling: Veteran Fairview finishes top 4 for 4th consecutive season

 

Class AA State Dual Wrestling Championships 

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Williamson County Ag Expo Center 

Dobyns Bennett def. Summit, 32-31, Consolation Semifinal 

152 – Brayden Leach, SHS, pinned Johnson Zhang, 3:00; 160 – Gavin Crowder, DB, pinned Thomas O’Leary, 1:06; 170 – Max Norman, DB, maj. dec. Finley Jameson, 10-2; 182 – Jensen Schreiber, SHS, dec. Jake Dempsey, 8-6; 195 – Nikolas Burke, DB, dec. Luke Justice, 6-5; 220 – Jimmy Taylor, DB, maj. dec. Matthew Tchiblakien, 8-0; 285 – Garret Crowder, DB, pinned Peters Savarino, 1:34; 106 – Blaise Masi, SHS, dec. Bryce Pulitzer, 8-4; 113 – Mason Jakob, DB, pinned Noah Hajek, 0:36; 120 – Zachery Little, SHS, pinned Kennedy Watterson, 3:36; 126 – Jarvis Little, SHS, maj. dec. Titus Norman, 13-2; 132 – Michael Posey, SHS, dec. Gavin Armstrong, 3-2; 138 – Landon Desselle, SHS, pinned Ben Tucker, 2:23; 145 – Cannon Mullins, DB, dec. Patrick Brew, 6-0. 

Cleveland def. Summit, 33-28, Semifinal 

145 – Brayden Leach, SHS, maj. dec. William Schuft, 11-3; 152 – Logan Fowler, CHS, pinned Patrick Brew, 0:27; 160 – Cy Fowler, CHS, pinned Thomas O’Leary, 2:48; 170 – Finley Jameson, SHS, maj. dec. Dylan Harrold, 15-4; 182 – Lucas Szymborski, CHS, tech. fall Cooper Felts, 15-0 (5:18); 195 – Jensen Schreiber, SHS, dec. Gabe Moore, 6-1; 220 – Luke Justice, SHS, dec. Tyson Russell, 3-2; 285 – Peters Savarino, SHS, dec. Stonewall Shurette, 3-2; 106 – Joes Cordero, CHS, maj. dec. Blaise Masi, 14-3; 113 – Chase Walker, CHS, pinned Noah Hyjek, 0:11; 120 – Zac Bosken, CHS, dec. Zachery Little, 9-3; 126 – Jarvis Little, SHS, tech. fall Preston Congdon, 20-5 (5:33); 132 – Bentley Ellison, CHS, dec. Michael Posey, 5-3; 138 – Landon Desselle, SHS, won by forfeit. 

Dobyns Bennett def. Brentwood, 36-36 (Tiebreaker), Consolation Quarterfinal 

145 – Cannon Mullins, DB, dec. Andrew Donelson, 7-2; 152 – Clark Vaughn, BHS, pinned Johnson Zhang, 4:57; 160 – Max Norman, DB, pinned Ryan Butler, 0:34; 170 – Wyatt Gibbs, BHS, pinned Jake Dempsey, 2:52; 182 – Nikolas Burke, DB, dec. Aiden Thompson, 8-6 (SV-1); 195 – Noah Dixon, BHS, pinned Branson Carswell, 3:04; 220 – Ruger Humble, BHS, pinned Jimmy Taylor, 3:03; 285 – Garret Crowder, DB, pinned Jackson Ard, 3:38; 106 – Reed Loeffel, BHS, dec. Bryce Pulitzer, 4-1; 113 – Mason Jakob, DB, pinned Brady Griffiths, 0:56; 120 – Kennedy Watterson, DB, pinned Graham Stanley, 1:28; 126 – Titus Norman, DB, pinned Aidan Scruggs, 2:46; 132 – Judson Jarrett, BHS, dec. Gavin Armstrong, 8-3; 138 – Arash Yazdani, BHS, pinned Ben Tucker, 2:42. 

Summit def. Maryville, 52-21, First Round

138 – Michael Posey, SHS, pinned Ben Helton, 1:49; 145 – Landon Desselle, SHS, pinned Riley Lee, 1:42; 152 – Brayden Leach, SHS, pinned Collin Walsh, 3:00; 160 – Finley Jameson, SHS, pinned Caleb Millard, 0:51; 170 – Michael Collegian, MHS, pinned Austin Sherman, 2:38; 182 – Jensen Schreiber, SHS, pinned Christian Teaster, 1:38; 195 – Thomas Stadel, MHS, dec. Luke Justice, 9-2; 220 – Peyton Cooper, MHS, pinned David Cannon, 0:11; 285 – Hayden McDonald, MHS, pinned Peters Savarino, 1:37; 106 – Noah Hyjek, SHS, pinned George Schwaiger, 1:09; 113 – Blaise Masi, SHS, dec. Cameron Abbott, 8-4; 120 – Jackson Bourdon, SHS, pinned Dominic Chimeno, 2:11; 126 – Zachery Little, SHS, dec. Coen Lovin, 13-6; 132 – Jarvis Little, SHS, maj. dec. Daniel Halcomb, 19-6. 

Bradley Central def. Brentwood, 48-22, First Round 

138 – Ethan Lipsey, BC, maj. Arash Yazdani, 11-1; 145 – Luke Belcher, BC, pinned Andrew Donelson, 2:32; 152 – Gunner Taylor, BC, pinned Nicholas Hamada, 1:58; 160 – Clark Vaughn, BHS, dec. Jake Fox, 6-4; 170 – Wyatt Gibbs, BHS, maj. Wade Brooks, 11-1; 182 – Knox Watson, BC, dec. Aiden Thompson, 6-4; 195 – Lane Hicks, BC, pinned Noah Dixon, 3:04; 220 – Hayden Nichols, BC, pinned Ruger Humble, 2:25; 285 – Jackson Ard, BHS, pinned Manuel Flores-Urena, 5:33; 106 – Miguel Rincon, BC, tech. fall Reed Loeffel, 16-0; 113 – Kyler Groves, BC, pinned Brady Griffiths, 3:31; 120 – Bryson Moats, BC, pinned Graham Stanley, 1:00; 126 – Aidan Scruggs, BHS, maj. Landon Goins, 15-5; 132 – Judson Jarrett, BHS, won by forfeit. Unsportsmanlike – BHS assistant coach.