Wrestling Updates and Tidbits...

[Sommers]

Chris Vandergriff

 

Chris Vandergriff  

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL

A wrestling coach at Halls High School, he compiled a career dual meet record of 305-229-2 through his retirement in 2006.

Halls was runner-up in the state dual meet championship in 1990.

As a junior at Halls in 1976, he became the first state wrestling champion from the Knoxville area when he won the heavyweight title. In 1977, he was captain of the football team and again won the state heavyweight title.

He attend the University of Tennessee and was a four-year letterman for the wrestling team. In 1978, he placed third in the heavyweight division at the SEC championships.

After graduating UT, he returned as a teacher and coach at Halls in 1981.

In 2007, he was inducted into the Tennessee Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/local/2018/04/20/gary-rankin-bubba-trammell-among-10-joining-greater-knoxville-sports-hall-fame/533035002/

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Angelo Giansante Named Head Ranger For Hiwassee/Ocoee Rivers State Park

Thursday, April 19, 2018

TDEC Deputy Commissioner Brock Hall, State Senator Mike Bell, Ranger Angelo Giansante, and State Rep. Dan Howell

The Hiwassee/Ocoee Rivers State Park in Polk County has a new manager. TDEC Deputy Commissioner of State Parks Brock Hill made the announcement at the park office in Delano. Mr. Hill was joined by State Rep. Dan Howell and State Senator Mike Bell as Angelo Giansante was named Head Ranger.

“Angelo has done a great job as interim manager” Mr. Hill said. “He has distinguished himself through his leadership, work ethic and dedication. He is driven to excel and I am sure we have chosen the right person for the job.”

Mr. Giansante is a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a sergeant with the 212^th Transportation Company with a tour in Iraq as a squad leader. His tenure with the state park system began at South Cumberland State Park where he worked as a seasonal interpretive re-creator. He has been a park ranger since 2007 when he was transferred to the Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park.

“Angelo distinguished himself in his new post," said Senator Bell. “He developed the successful Ocowassee Festival and played a key role in the park’s programming efforts.”

He has also been an active member of Tennessee State Parks’ Special Operations and Response Team, which adds another layer of expertise to the state parks system and the local community.

“Angelo’s community involvement is also impressive” Rep. Dan Howell said. “When he discovered that Polk County High School has never had a wrestling program he volunteered to develop one and be the unpaid coach. In the team’s first year of competition last February Angelo took seven wrestlers to the state tournament. They finished third out of 12 teams.”

Ranger Giansante was well equipped for the task. He is the only state champion wrestler from La Vergne Tennessee High School, capturing that title in 1997.

As the new head ranger, Mr. Giansante will oversee the first river managed in the State Scenic River program.

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Senior Chad Pyke.

Pyke Named Academic All-NWCA

Apr. 19, 2018 Wrestling

STORY LINKS

• NWCA DIVISION I ALL-ACADEMIC SELECTIONS

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestler Chad Pyke was named to the Academic All-NWCA team, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced today.  Pyke is a senior graduate student from McDonough, Ga., who started for the Mocs at 165 pounds. 

Awarded annually, the NWCA All-Academic Team consists of 155 student-athletes at the Division I level.  Pyke posted a 4.0 GPA in his first semester in the UTC College of Business MBA program in the fall.  He also won the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award at last week's Coca-Cola Scrappy Awards.

"Chad is mature beyond his years," stated head coach Heath Eslinger.  "He is just an outstanding young man and this is simply another area that he pursues and achieves excellence.  I am extremely proud of him and grateful for his influence in this program."

On the mat, Pyke was 21-10 overall, with a 10-5 mark in dual matches.  He finished second at the Hokie Open, third at the Black Knight Invite and was runner-up at the SoCon Tournament.  He helped the Mocs to an 8-7 overall record that included a second place finish in the SoCon regular season and tournament races. 

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WRESTLING -- 9 earn all-state honors

• • Apr 19, 2018 Updated 21 hrs ago

 

Tennessee Sports Writers Association -

Nine local wrestlers have earned All-State honors as presented earlier this week by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.

The nine include six in Class AAA, two in Division II and one girl.

Edited April 20, 2018 by Sommers

[Sommers]

http://clevelandbanner.com/stories/carson-howard-to-be-inducted-into-old-timers-hof,78782

Jeff Howard is being inducted into the Cleveland Old Timers Hall of Fame, posthumously, for the sport of wrestling. 
Howard is the eighth wrestler to be inducted into this Hall of Fame, but only the second to be inducted purely on his competitive career.

1977 graduate of Cleveland High School and also graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Many wrestlers have expressed that Jeff should have been the first inducted because he was the first to “live the wrestling lifestyle”and expose other wrestlers to what it took to compete at the highest level. What is meant by that is Howard was the first to train year-round, to stay in the best physical condition so he could compete year-round. To compete and win on the state high school level is difficult, but on the college and international level was something no one in this county had experienced. Howard led the way. 
In high school, he qualified and competed in four state tournaments. He was a three-time state finalist, Coach Duane Schriver's first state champion, and was voted the "Most Outstanding Wrestler" in the state tournament. 
Coach Al Miller remembers a turning point for Howard during his sophomore year. In the finals of a Christmas tournament, Howard was beaten by a 12th-grade wrestler from Morristown East, by a score of 17-2. When they met one month later in the finals of the Region tournament, Howard reversed the outcome by a 21-5 score . 

He was very good in high school style wrestling, but it was in the Olympic freestyle wrestling that he really excelled. The United States Wrestling Federation was the governing body for freestyle wrestling and held state, regional, and national tournaments. Howard was a three-time Tennessee freestyle state champion. The USWF held three regional tournaments in the spring. Jeff's dad, Jim, took him to the Eastern Regional tournament in Pittsburg. In a weight class with more than 125 wrestlers, Howard placed second. The next year the USWF divided the country into five regions and Howard won the Southeast Region and was voted “Outstanding Wrestler.” 
Howard placement earned him a spot on a U.S. junior Olympic team that traveled to and competed in Iran. The trip opened Howard’s eyes to a whole different level that few ever get to experience. Jeff told us all about his experiences. Wrestling is the national sport of Iran and wrestlers are treated as rock stars. Jeff wrestled one match in front of 12,000 fans (all men). The smallest crowd was 5,000. 
He returned to the U.S. in time to compete in the national championship tournament, the largest wrestling tournament in the world. He competed in two national champions, finishing one win away from being an All-American. 
All of Howard’s successes brought the attention of college coaches. He was recruited and offered scholarships to wrestle at Maryville College, Middle Tennessee, Georgia, University of Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Georgia Tech, but signed with UTC mostly because of head coach Jim Morgan.

He had an immediate impact in his first college tournament. The Southern Open was one of the biggest tournaments of the year. Being a freshman, he was not seeded in the tournament. He made it to the semi-finals and upset the number 1 seed, an All-American from University of Kentucky. He placed second and went on to have a good career at U.T.C. where he started for two years.

Coach Morgan, Howard’s college coach, described him this way, "there was no compromise in Jeff’s outlook toward life. He was willing to look you square in the eye and tell you what he thought and what he believed. He was proud of his faith and his family. He had a wrestling career at U.T.C. that he should be proud of." 
Howard's legend lives on among wrestlers in Cleveland and Bradley County. He set records and standards for wrestlers to follow. He helped start a tradition that continues to grow in this area. Young wrestlers today could not go wrong to try to "Be like Jeff." 
Coach Schriver always said that “Jeff was a very special human being, strong in his faith and love of family. I would have been honored to call him a son.”

 

[Sommers]

Tibit on our friends to the South...

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Prep Zone

Atlanta high school sports news from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

By Todd Holcomb

Seven Georgia wrestling coaches, officials to be inducted into national hall of fame

52m ago, April 26, 2018

 

 

Seven Georgia coaches and administrators past and present will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in a ceremony hall of fame’s Georgia Chapter on May 6.

The seven will be inducted as "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" recipients in recognition of contributing at least 20 years to the sport as a coach, referee or contributor. The induction will take place at the Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta. 

The Georgia inductees will be: 

*Stacey L. Davis, Sr. – current coach at Holy Innocents’; FILA/Olympic official and former longtime GHSA official and head of Georgia Wrestling Officials Association; many years as coach of Team Georgia USA wrestling teams, former standout at the University of North Carolina. 

*Jerry Goldstein – current assistant coach at Lovett; past Georgia Tech and Florida assistant; longtime coach of Georgia Kids programs for Walton High and Morris Fitness; high school head coach in Michigan and Georgia; Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame. 

*William Howington – 44 years of service as a championship high school coach at Winder-Barrow, Monroe Area and Dawson County, and/or GHSA wrestling official in Georgia. 

*Pat McCance– Head coach at Pebblebrook and Loganville; many years as McEachern assistant/associate head coach during the school’s dominant reign in the GHSA; active member of the Atlanta Takedown Association. 

*Don St. James –coach at Etowah, Centennial and Cambridge; coached 13 GHSA state champions; former assistant at the University of Tennessee under Gray Simons; clinician at numerous camps and clinics across the country; collegiate star at Georgia and Tennessee. 

*Denis Tallini – 43 years of service, most recently as GHSA associate director; past member of National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) wrestling rules committee; 31 years as a high school wrestling official in Louisiana with 11 more after his move to Georgia; a mainstay on the mats for state-level tournaments; remains active as an official with the Metro Atlanta Wrestling Officials; former collegiate star at Mohawk Valley CC (NY) and University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana – Lafayette). 

*Bruce Towson – Longtime coach in the Henry County school system filling multiple roles at Henry County and Luella, often coaching both middle and high school teams; credited by many for the growth and success of wrestling in Henry county and surrounding areas. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Stillwater, Okla. Event and ticket information is available by emailing wrestlinghofga@gmail.com or by registering online.

[Sommers]

Whitwell's Argo Signs With Cumberland University Wrestling

Monday, April 30, 2018

Whitwell wrestler TD Argo signed his letter of intent to wrestle at Cumberland University late last week at the school in front of the student body.   

TD is the son of Thomas and Robyn Argo.  TD will receive multiple scholarships from his academic and athletic performance at Whitwell High. TD's final two years saw a record of of 47-11, with 7 of those losses coming while wrestling up at heavyweight in hopes of helping his team. TD will be wrestling 197 for the Phoenix. 

Jerome Roberts (Hixson Wrestler & medalist in the 80's) coached him in youth wrestling, and John Weiss and Jacky Blosser (Hixson medalist '88-'89) at the high school level.

Christian Varner, a former NAIA academic all american and former Hixson high Wrestler and medalist, who is an assistant coach for Whitwell was also instrumental in TD's development.

"I am very excited for TD's opportunity and his choice.He had opportunities to play both football and wrestle at the collegiate level. We had an encouraging year qualifying 10 for state and finishing as the region dual meet runner up as well as 3rd in the individual region. He was a huge part of that with his leadership and encouragement.

TD was amazing in that he really showed the kids that our system can work and really made the underclassmen realize that they can make Whitwell wrestling amazing. (We only have 2 seniors on this team) I am sure he will take that same enthusiasm and skill set to the next level."

 

[Sommers]

Jake Yost named varsity wrestling coach at McCallie School

by WTVC

Thursday, May 3rd 2018

Jake Yost HS.jpg

 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The McCallie School has named Jake Yost as head wrestling coach for the 2018-2019 school year. McCallie says Yost will fill the role held by Mike Newman for the past 10 years. Newman is stepping down as the head coach but will remain with the program as an assistant coach.

“We are certainly grateful to Mike for the outstanding job he did in overseeing the wrestling program,” said Dean of Athletics Jeff Romero. “He did so with class, compassion, integrity, and unselfishness. Jake possesses the same coaching and character qualities as Mike, so the change should be seamless and allow wrestling to continue to enjoy the success we have known it to have.”

 

Under Newman, more than 23 McCallie wrestlers have earned individual state titles, including five state champions in each of the past two seasons. As a team, the Blue Tornado has been state runner up in the TSSAA traditional tournament for the past two years and was also runner up in the state duals in 2017.

 

“I am excited about this great opportunity to become McCallie's head wrestling coach,” Yost said. “Thankfully, Coach Newman has agreed to continue to be a part of the coaching staff. His passion for wrestling and decades of coaching experience will continue to be a tremendous asset for the program, and I am fortunate to work with him and the rest of the accomplished and committed coaching team.”

 

McCallie says Newman made the decision to step into an assistant role so that he can continue to assist with the Blue Tornado football program and perform other duties at the school. Yost, who was an assistant with the varsity wrestling team for the past two years, will direct the McCallie wrestling program, which has become a year-round commitment in recent years with regional and national tournaments.

 

“The McCallie Wrestling program is in great shape, and the future is bright,” Newman said. “We have a solid group returning with nine state medalists, including five State Champions and four National Prep place winners. However, I feel with my other coaching responsibilities at McCallie, it is in the best interest of the program to hand the reins over to Coach Yost at this time. Jake has been an excellent addition to our staff, and I know he will continue to build on the outstanding tradition as its next leader. I look forward to serving as an assistant and helping young men reach their goals.”

 

McCallie has had success at the national level with strong showings at the National Prep tournament for the past two years. In 2018, four McCallie wrestlers — junior Thomas Sell along with freshmen Alex Whitworth, Christian Morris and Emory Taylor — earned high school All-American status at the National Prep tournament.

 

“We are so fortunate to have a man like Coach Yost ready to step into this role with McCallie wrestling,” Assistant Headmaster Kenny Sholl said. “Following legendary coaches such as Mike Newman and Gordon Connell might give some young coaches pause, but Jake is up to the task and is excited for the challenge. I can’t wait to see where he will take the program.”

 

Yost, a two-time high school state champion wrestler at Soddy-Daisy High School and two-time Southern Conference champion at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, has been at McCallie since 2016. He previously was the varsity wrestling coach at Cleveland High School, where he led the Blue Raiders to three TSSAA traditional and dual state championships.

 

“I am thankful to Lee Burns, Kenny Sholl, Jeff Romero and Mike Newman for entrusting me with this incredible responsibility,” Yost said. “It is a true blessing to be given this opportunity, and I am eager to take on the job and do all I can to reward that trust. We will continue to develop not just great wrestlers and fierce competitors, but also young men of great character and perseverance.”

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Nick Williamson named wrestling coach at Clarksville Academy

By Clarksvillenow.com May 2, 2018 3:41 pm

Clarksville NowWrestling Coach Nick Williamson (Photo: Clarksville Academy)

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) Clarksville Academy (CA) is welcoming a new coach, Nick Williamson, who will take over the school’s wrestling program for the 2018 season.

A 2001 graduate of Clarksville Academy, Williamson is returning to his Alma Mater to revitalize the sport after being a decorated CA wrestler.

He has spent the last five seasons at Kenwood High School and during that time had 14 state qualifiers, two state medalists and six regional finalists.

“We are excited about the addition of Nick Williamson to lead our wrestling program. For the first time in six years we are bringing wrestling back to CA and having a CA alum with a lot of wrestling success and experience is exciting as we begin a new program in our athletic department. Nick is committed to building and maintaining our wrestling program,” said Athletic Director Jake Peterson.

Williamson is married to Nicole, a 2000 CA graduate, with their two children, Landon and McKenzie.

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Hey light weights...

Story on Union county Alum, making something if himself through some challenging times getting there.

Ruis went back to his roots. He headed across the Ohio River to visit a wrestling club in New Albany, Indiana, on Wednesday. A gold medalist in the Junior Pan Am Games as a high school wrestler, Ruis likes to quote Olympic champion Dan Gable and credits the sport for teaching him a work ethic and respect.

There's some money if you're still willing to maintain that weight..

He spent about $2 million on horses to get Ruis Racing underway. One of his purchases - for $635,000...

https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/selfmade-trainer-ruis-goes-own-way-to-kentucky-derby/743341951

 

Edited May 4, 2018 by Sommers

[Sommers]

46 mocs graduate many of which are wrestlers...

http://www.gomocs.com/news/2018/5/5/mocs-club-46-mocs-earned-degrees-today.aspx

[Sommers]

HIGH https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gannett.local.library.news.dnj

Meet The Daily News Journal's 2017-18 All-Area Sports Awards winners...

Wrestling

Landon Fowler, Jr., Blackman

Cameron Henderson, Jr., Smyrna

Wrestler of the Year: Christian Salter, Sr., Siegel

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Wiedmer: A Hall of Fame class that doesn't come along every year

May 7th, 2018by Mark Wiedmerin Sports - ColumnsRead Time: 3 mins.

 

Schaack van Deusen, right, coached wrestling a combined 40 years at Baylor and Notre Dame. He was one of eight inductees to the Lookout Mountain Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Photo by Robin Rudd /Times Free Press.

Unlike most such entities, the Lookout Mountain Sports Hall of Fame doesn't elect a new class every year. It waits for one large enough and deserving enough to come along, then stages the ceremony in the ageless Lookout Mountain School gym, where most of the inductees had their first P.E. classes, participated in their first kickball game or swished their first basketball shot.

Talk about smart. And fast. Schaack Van Deusen, who coached wrestling for a combined 40 years at Notre Dame and Baylor, was not only an intramural boxing champion at Virginia but also the longtime head of the drama department at Baylor, where he had lettered in baseball, football, tennis and wrestling.

Naturally, his final remarks drew from Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," with Van Deusen telling the audience: "I can no other answer make but thanks, And thanks; and ever thanks."

No inductee earned more thanks than sports writer B.B. Branton, a former employee of the Times Free Press.

Despite battling a serious illness the past year, Branton stayed up past 11 the Friday night of the recent Rotary tournament to help Webb find where a single missing point had gone.

A prolific writer for numerous publications who once won the Lookout Mountain checkers championship as a 7-year-old, led the Lookout Mountain School in scoring as a sixth-grade basketball star and helped McCallie win three Mid-South Conference wrestling crowns, Branton was especially praised by Webb, who spoke for both the selection committee and fellow inductees.

"What B.B. has done for sports in the tri-state area is unbelievable," Webb said. "He's the most hard-working, unselfish guy you'll ever meet, and most of us wouldn't be entering this Hall of Fame today without all the work B.B.'s done over the years to keep track of our careers."

Such attention to others was everywhere. Longtime NFL referee and Lookout Mountain resident Lee Dyer — having now officiated on one level or another for 38 years — made sure to thank his wife Diann.

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Level of respect for our neighbor to the South, Georgia's HS wrestling continues to grow...

 

MU roundup: Pair of wrestlers sign with Tigers

 

By Peter Baugh / Columbia Daily Tribune

Posted May 6, 2018 at 2:24 PM

  

Park Hill High School has been good to Missouri wrestling. NCAA Championship qualifiers John Erneste and Canten Marriott both went there, and the Tigers announced Thursday that they signed high school senior Weston Diblasi from Park Hill.

Diblasi, a two-time state medalist, finished second at state in 2016. The Tigers also inked Cordel Durhart, a back-to-back high school state champion in Kansas.

“Cordel and Weston are really talented wrestlers who add to the deep class we signed in the fall,” coach Brian Smith said in a statement. “Both come in with great athletic accolades and are outstanding students in the classroom.”

The Tigers signed nine wrestlers in the fall, including seven ranked in a top-100 prospect list

Edited May 7, 2018 by Sommers

[Sommers]

http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/sports/20180508/raider-grad-to-get--8216moore8217-mat-time

SPRING HILL — In a year of firsts, Tyler Moore notched one final such accomplishment for Spring Hill before his graduation in a few days:

First Raider wrestler to sign a college scholarship.

Moore, who in February became the first representative of the first-year program to wrestle for a region championship, qualify for a state tournament and notch a victory in the 32-wrestler state tourney field, parlayed his one season of experience into a scholarship to Cumberland University in Lebanon.

“There were several colleges we reached out to, and some he reached out to on his own,” Spring Hill coach Beau Moss said Tuesday at Moore’s signing ceremony. “We were selling him as a one-year wrestler making the state (tournament) in his first year — think of his upside.

“Cumberland is going to get the benefit of that, and we’re all looking forward to going and watching him at the next level.”

Coming to wrestling with a martial arts background, Moore made the adjustment well enough in a short period of time to advance to the Region 6-AAA finals in the 160-pound weight class, clinching — as one of the region’s top four finishers — a spot in the Class AAA state tourney. At the Williamson County Ag Expo, Moore lost his first match, but won twice in the consolation bracket before his elimination.

“I’m still sulking over that loss at state,” Moore admitted. “I wish I had two or three more years here to see what I could do, after what I did in one year.”

Still, he realizes that his best wrestling is ahead of him.

“The only way is up,” he said. “I’m playing with house money. All these guys have been wrestling for 10 years. I’m coming in with one year. I can only get better. I think the sky is the ceiling. I think I’ve just scratched the surface of what I can do.”

By going to Cumberland, Moore will be able to maintain a connection with the young Spring Hill program — a prospect that excites him as well as his now former coach.

“Hopefully he can come back and help us a little,” Moss said.

“I think this won’t be the last (college signee) we have, either. But it’s amazing to have one our first year. Nobody deserves it more.”

[Sommers]

Addition to Moc's lineup...

Tanner Smith is coming to UTC from the disbanded Eastern Michigan wrestling program. He posted his intention to transfer to Twitter on Wednesday.

Eastern Michigan cut wrestling, women's tennis, softball and men's swimming and diving in March due to "overall budget restructuring efforts," according to a post at emueagles.com, the university's athletics website.

Smith redshirted as freshman last season, so he will have four years of eligibility remaining and can begin competing in 2018-19. He went 22-0 wrestling unattached as a 149-pounder for the Eagles, winning the Michigan State, Eastern Michigan, Cleveland State, Alma and Edinboro open tournaments while recording two pins, five technical falls and four major decisions.

Mocs wrestlers went a combined 32-35 at the 149-pound division in 2017-18.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/college/story/2018/may/11/transfers-will-joutc-mens-basketball-wrestlin/470567/

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Local sports scene legend Marvin 'Stump' Martin touched many lives

Longtime sports reporter, advocate, TV personality dies at 64

May 10th, 2018by Barry Courterin Breaking NewsRead Time: 4 mins.

 

In this 2009 staff file photo, Stump Martin talks in the locker room of Rossville Middle School.

Photo by Staff File Photo /Times Free Press.

This story was updated May 10, 2018, at 11:59 p.m.

Marvin "Stump" Martin was remembered Thursday by friends, co-workers and colleagues as a major figure in the local sports scene, especially in the North Georgia area where he hosted radio and television talk shows that showcased local athletes, especially high school students, for more than four decades.

The North Georgia icon, 64, died Thursday at Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga.

Martin hosted a local radio show and later a TV show in the North Georgia area for decades. He also coached several softball, baseball and football teams. He coached his daughter Misty's softball team for many years, always aided by his beloved wife, Deb. He was the assistant baseball coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in the late 1970s and early '80s before it was cut from the school's athletics offerings.

Marvin "Stump" Martin is the new director of the East Ridge Parks and Recreating Department.

Photo by Jake Daniels /Times Free Press.

The head coach was Bob Brotherton, Martin's best friend since middle school. The two attended Rossville Middle and High schools before going to Carson-Newman University together to play baseball.

"He was a great individual," an emotional Brotherton said Thursday. "He loved kids, he loved sports and in the North Georgia and Chattanooga area, he did a lot for kids. A lot of things that people were unaware of."

B.J. Coleman, a standout quarterback at McCallie School and UTC, was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. He played for Martin on a baseball team that traveled the country and said, "He genuinely loved kids. He dedicated his life to serving the greater good through his radio and television shows."

Coleman said his fondest memories of being a part of the team involve traveling and watching the way Martin interacted with people, especially his players. Coleman said Martin was always tough but fair and demanded his players always be respectful. He recalled one trip where Martin taught him a valuable lesson about humility. After getting a lecture on being a team player, and after being told he would be the starting pitcher, Coleman made the mistake of asking if he could call his own pitches.

"He said, 'Sure you can.'" It did not go well for Coleman, and Martin was happy to let him learn a lesson, leaving him in the game after he'd given up several hits and runs.

"It brought me back down to earth. He was very good at letting boys be boys and still providing structure. He was very influential in my life, and Deb was always right there by his side. The family aspect and perspective he provided will always be with me."

Martin was a sports reporter for the Chattanooga News-Free Press for many years and later a news reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. He was the parks and recreation director for the city of East Ridge for the last six years.

Greg Payne played high school sports in the North Georgia area and later coached at Gordon Lee and then McCallie. He knew Martin first "as a celebrity" and later as a friend and business partner.

"He's the greatest ... if you were from North Georgia he meant more to you than just about anybody else because he was ours. He was our voice at the Free Press, because most of what he wrote about was North Georgia stuff.

"I graduated in 1986 and we became friends. I bet every athlete since 1983 or '84 from North Georgia knows who Stump Martin is. That's saying something," Payne said. "That dude, he did more for North Georgia kids than anybody."

Kim Gann, administrative assistant at Camp Jordan in East Ridge, said Martin continued that focus in his job with the city of East Ridge.

"He was for the kids," she said.

Gann grew up in the same Rossville neighborhood as Martin and remembers kicking him out of the neighborhood pool after he told his younger brothers, Marshall and Michael, to "jump in and splash that lady."

She said Martin was dedicated to upgrading the facilities at Camp Jordan and other city parks "to get kids back out playing ball.

"Most people have no idea how many people he's gotten scholarships for. That's what he was all about. So many would come in here without any money, and he always found it for them."

East Ridge City Manager Scott Miller called Martin "a great man" who was focused on "improving the facilities and programs that benefit the community. He will be missed by a lot of people here in East Ridge, and elsewhere."

Judy O'Neill has been the owner of UCTV, which carries "Stump on Sports," in North Georgia for more than 35 years. Before that, she was on a rival station in the area, and she remembers an incident when Martin challenged her to wrestle a bear at a local high school.

"I felt like I had to go," she said. "I was younger then. Well, they had a person dressed up like a bear and I made a scene. I thought making a scene was part of it. They threatened to have me arrested because I made such a scene. They made a fool out of me," she said with a big laugh. "He was always saying something about me.

"I sure will miss him."

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.

 

Edited May 11, 2018 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Arizona adds one of the nation's fastest growing sports...

http://www.sports360az.com/2018/05/aia-adds-girls-wrestling/

[JSamson7]

On 5/3/2018 at 7:18 PM, Sommers said:

Jake Yost named varsity wrestling coach at McCallie School

by WTVC

Thursday, May 3rd 2018

Jake Yost HS.jpg

 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The McCallie School has named Jake Yost as head wrestling coach for the 2018-2019 school year. McCallie says Yost will fill the role held by Mike Newman for the past 10 years. Newman is stepping down as the head coach but will remain with the program as an assistant coach.

“We are certainly grateful to Mike for the outstanding job he did in overseeing the wrestling program,” said Dean of Athletics Jeff Romero. “He did so with class, compassion, integrity, and unselfishness. Jake possesses the same coaching and character qualities as Mike, so the change should be seamless and allow wrestling to continue to enjoy the success we have known it to have.”

 

Under Newman, more than 23 McCallie wrestlers have earned individual state titles, including five state champions in each of the past two seasons. As a team, the Blue Tornado has been state runner up in the TSSAA traditional tournament for the past two years and was also runner up in the state duals in 2017.

 

“I am excited about this great opportunity to become McCallie's head wrestling coach,” Yost said. “Thankfully, Coach Newman has agreed to continue to be a part of the coaching staff. His passion for wrestling and decades of coaching experience will continue to be a tremendous asset for the program, and I am fortunate to work with him and the rest of the accomplished and committed coaching team.”

 

McCallie says Newman made the decision to step into an assistant role so that he can continue to assist with the Blue Tornado football program and perform other duties at the school. Yost, who was an assistant with the varsity wrestling team for the past two years, will direct the McCallie wrestling program, which has become a year-round commitment in recent years with regional and national tournaments.

 

“The McCallie Wrestling program is in great shape, and the future is bright,” Newman said. “We have a solid group returning with nine state medalists, including five State Champions and four National Prep place winners. However, I feel with my other coaching responsibilities at McCallie, it is in the best interest of the program to hand the reins over to Coach Yost at this time. Jake has been an excellent addition to our staff, and I know he will continue to build on the outstanding tradition as its next leader. I look forward to serving as an assistant and helping young men reach their goals.”

 

McCallie has had success at the national level with strong showings at the National Prep tournament for the past two years. In 2018, four McCallie wrestlers — junior Thomas Sell along with freshmen Alex Whitworth, Christian Morris and Emory Taylor — earned high school All-American status at the National Prep tournament.

 

“We are so fortunate to have a man like Coach Yost ready to step into this role with McCallie wrestling,” Assistant Headmaster Kenny Sholl said. “Following legendary coaches such as Mike Newman and Gordon Connell might give some young coaches pause, but Jake is up to the task and is excited for the challenge. I can’t wait to see where he will take the program.”

 

Yost, a two-time high school state champion wrestler at Soddy-Daisy High School and two-time Southern Conference champion at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, has been at McCallie since 2016. He previously was the varsity wrestling coach at Cleveland High School, where he led the Blue Raiders to three TSSAA traditional and dual state championships.

 

“I am thankful to Lee Burns, Kenny Sholl, Jeff Romero and Mike Newman for entrusting me with this incredible responsibility,” Yost said. “It is a true blessing to be given this opportunity, and I am eager to take on the job and do all I can to reward that trust. We will continue to develop not just great wrestlers and fierce competitors, but also young men of great character and perseverance.”

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Nick Williamson named wrestling coach at Clarksville Academy

By Clarksvillenow.com May 2, 2018 3:41 pm

Clarksville NowWrestling Coach Nick Williamson (Photo: Clarksville Academy)

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) Clarksville Academy (CA) is welcoming a new coach, Nick Williamson, who will take over the school’s wrestling program for the 2018 season.

A 2001 graduate of Clarksville Academy, Williamson is returning to his Alma Mater to revitalize the sport after being a decorated CA wrestler.

He has spent the last five seasons at Kenwood High School and during that time had 14 state qualifiers, two state medalists and six regional finalists.

“We are excited about the addition of Nick Williamson to lead our wrestling program. For the first time in six years we are bringing wrestling back to CA and having a CA alum with a lot of wrestling success and experience is exciting as we begin a new program in our athletic department. Nick is committed to building and maintaining our wrestling program,” said Athletic Director Jake Peterson.

Williamson is married to Nicole, a 2000 CA graduate, with their two children, Landon and McKenzie.

____________________________

Hey light weights...

Story on Union county Alum, making something if himself through some challenging times getting there.

Ruis went back to his roots. He headed across the Ohio River to visit a wrestling club in New Albany, Indiana, on Wednesday. A gold medalist in the Junior Pan Am Games as a high school wrestler, Ruis likes to quote Olympic champion Dan Gable and credits the sport for teaching him a work ethic and respect.

There's some money if you're still willing to maintain that weight..

He spent about $2 million on horses to get Ruis Racing underway. One of his purchases - for $635,000...

https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/selfmade-trainer-ruis-goes-own-way-to-kentucky-derby/743341951

 

Williamson is lucky to have a top flight assistant on staff. Not many teams in Clarksville can match that kind of help.

[Sommers]

 

Scholarship Foundation going strong five years after shooting death of Maryville teen

• By Wes Wade wes.wade@thedailytimes.com
• 23 hrs ago
•  

 

The Skyler "Rooster" Boring Wrestling Foundation gives scholarship winners plaques and gift bags for all the entrants.Daryl Sullivan | The Daily Times

 

Judy Mincey points out a plaque made by one of the Heritage wrestling coaches for her grandson, Skyler “Rooster” Boring’s memorial service. Etched at the bottom of the plaque is a quote from Scottish poet Thomas Campbell, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

• Daryl Sullivan | The Daily Times

 

 

 

 

Skyler Boring gives a “thumbs up” at his graduation ceremony in 2013. Boring was shot May 28, 2013, at a residence off East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Walland. He died from his injuries. Police ruled the shooting accidental.

• Courtesy of Judy Ogle Mincey

 

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

For the family of a 17-year-old Maryville teen killed five years ago in what was ruled an accidental shooting, those 11 words by Scottish poet Thomas Campbell are more than just a comforting quote; they’re a vehicle, one that keeps a memory afloat.

It’s why they established the Skyler “Rooster” Boring Wrestling Foundation in his name.

 

“Skyler played everything,” said Judy Mincey, Boring’s grandmother. “He was into soccer and baseball, and then he played football for Heritage High School. Then, of course, he wrestled ... but in the end, wrestling is what he loved.”

Remembering Skyler

Boring was a co-captain on the Heritage High wrestling team and helped lead the squad to two back-to-back state competitions during his junior and senior years. He was shot and killed in an apparent accidental shooting at a tiny rental home off East Lamar Alexander Parkway the night of May 28, 2013 — eight days after his high school graduation ceremony.

From the outset, the foundation established in his name was to provide scholarships to area wrestlers heading off to college, just like Boring before his untimely death.

Mincey, along with Boring’s mother, Amy Boring, have stayed busy the last several years keeping the foundation going. They got everything up and running several months after the shooting and the foundation gave out its first scholarship just weeks before the one-year anniversary of Skyler’s death.

But it would take another two weeks before the death investigation was wrapped up and formal charges announced in what remained an accidental shooting. That finally came just five days short of the one-year anniversary.

Since then, the foundation’s scholarship awards have totaled nearly $10,000. This year saw four winners — more than any previous year — with first and second place receiving $2,000 and $1,500 scholarships, respectively.

Moving Forward

For Mincey and Amy Boring, keeping it all moving forward is their only shot at honoring and remembering their loved one. Neither was ever satisfied with how Skyler’s death was resolved.

“He did not get any justice,” the pair told The Daily Times earlier this month.

First, the shooting was ruled accidental. Mincey and Amy Boring never have and never will believe that’s how it happened. Then prosecutors made a plea deal in juvenile court with the shooter, legally an adult at that time but just days shy of his 18th birthday when the shooting occurred.

Mincey said they were never told a plea agreement was in the works. For months they made it clear to anyone and everyone, including prosecutors, the family was dead set against anything of the sort. In fact, they continued pushing for a petition to try the shooter as an adult.

So the day they walked into court was like being hit with an atom bomb. They found out other plans had not only been made, but finalized.

Dennis C. Dinwiddie, of Clarksville, ended up pleading guilty to a delinquent charge of criminally negligent homicide. Prosecutors refused to divulge any sentencing details. But Dinwiddie walked away with zero jail time, Mincey said.

“No penalties, no fines, no community service — nothing,” Mincey said. “He didn’t even have to get up in front of the court and testify.”

For Skyler’s mother, that might have been the worst part.

“I didn’t get to hear what happened to him,” Amy Boring said of her son, her voice cracking as she struggled to fight back tears.

Looking back

Those involved in the investigation and prosecution still stand by the way it was all handled. That includes Blount County Juvenile Court Judge Kenlyn Foster, who was assigned the case as a prosecutor with the Blount County District Attorney General’s Office.

“It was prosecuted the way that the District Attorney General’s Office wanted it prosecuted,” Foster told The Daily Times by phone Saturday when asked if she thought the case was handled correctly.

She said the circumstances were tragic for all involved.

“It was just a tragedy all around,” Foster said. “It was just a terrible, terrible thing all around.”

No one knows that better than those closest to Skyler Boring.

“We never got any closure from Skyler’s death,” Mincey said. “This five-year anniversary that’s coming up is going to be a hard one. Sometimes it feels like it’s been a long time, and other times it’s like it was yesterday.”

“It never feels like a long time,” Amy Boring replied.

Their peace, or what little they now cling to, rests at the bottom of a plaque, 11 inconspicuous words hanging there on a wall in Mincey’s home — “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

“That’s what we try to do for Skyler,” Mincey said. “As long as one person remembers him, he won’t go away. He’ll be here.”