Wrestling Updates and Tidbits...

[Sommers]

Correcting a couple of mistakes, Christian Brothers is from Memphis, not Nashville, and the other, Trevor Brown defeated Story of Science Hill 13-5 in finals. Bradley, tough team, always fun to wrestle y'all, good luck the rest of the season, Miller, great tournament, always good competition.

It's great to see the Purple Wave back in the thick of things!! McCallie Ryan and Baylor certainly don't have a lock on the top three, do they?

 

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

 

Raiders impressive in tournament victory

 

 

http://clevelandbanner.com/stories/raiders-impressive-in-tournament-victory,50658

 

Pic

 

The Cleveland High School wrestling team took home its first team title at an individual tournament in the Knox Halls Invitational, Saturday. Six Blue Raider wrestlers took home individual championships.

 

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

 

Posted Monday, January 16, 2017 10:52 am

 

From STAFF REPORTS

 

KNOXVILLE — To say this past weekend was a success for Cleveland on the wrestling mats may be an understatement.

 

Not only did the Blue Raiders defeat archrival Bradley Central last week for the second time by one point in as many dual meets to become the outright No. 1 team in the state, they also took the Knox Halls Invitational by storm.

 

Cleveland took first place with 230.5 team points, 58.5 more points than runner-up Halls, and had six individual champions to take home its first win in an individual tournament this season.

 

“Going into this tournament we spoke about the great things we have accomplished so far,†Cleveland first-year head coach and former UT-Chattanooga wrestler Josh Bosken said.

 

“The one thing we have not been able to do was win a team title at an individual tournament. With a great group effort, we were able to accomplish that goal.â€

 

Senior 145-pounder Caleb Eachus won his first individual championship of his prep career with the other Blue Raider champions being: fourth-ranked Garret Bowers (113), first-ranked Colton Landers (132), fifth-ranked Cody Mathews (138) and Austin Sweeney (152).

 

Cleveland had seven more pins than any other team, with 32.

 

Sweeney and third-ranked Bryce Pond (120) each had an invitational-high four victories by pins.

 

Pond, along with third-ranked Jack Hicks (182) and fifth-ranked Seth Garcia (220), took home second-place finishes for the Blue Raiders.

 

Sixth-ranked Titus Swafford (285) finished in fourth place and had three pins in a total time of 40 seconds. Zach Brezna (160) also took fourth place.

 

Other place finishers were Dylan Jones (170) in fifth, Logan Strickland (195) in sixth and Burns Meagher (106) in seventh.

 

Cleveland will look to keep its undefeated 17-0 mark in duals meets rolling when it returns to District 7 action Thursday at “The Stable†against Walker Valley.

 

 

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

 

As far as the Big Showdown for 1-AAA, The Bear Nation is looking better themselves...

 

Bradley Co Awareness Never Ceases...

 

http://clevelandbanner.com/stories/bears-capture-twotitles-on-same-day,50659

 

Bears capture two titles on same day

 

Start slideshow

 

Pic

 

BRADLEY CENTRAL’S top-ranked varsity wrestling Bears made a trip to the Virginia border over the weekend, and claimed a pair of victories over state-ranked teams in the Moffatt Duals Friday evening, plus set a scoring record (302) in winning the Fandetti/Richardson Brawl on Saturday.

 

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

 

PreviousNext

 

Posted Monday, January 16, 2017 10:54 am

 

From Staff Reports

 

Pulling off a rare feat this weekend, Bradley Central wrestling claimed championships at two varsity tournaments, over 100 miles apart, on the same day.

 

No the “Da Bears†didn’t burn up the interstate between Johnson City and Knoxville to participate in both, but rather while head coach Ben Smith was with the top-ranked Bradley squad claiming the Fandetti/Richardson Brawl title, the JV Black-and-Gold boys went 5-0 to win the third annual Fulton Duals — a varsity team event.

 

“Extremely proud of our ‘DaBEARS B-Team’ today. While our varsity squad was winning the Fandetti title we had 18 JV/Freshman Bears not only competing in a varsity event in Knoxville, but winning it,†proclaimed Coach Smith on Twitter Saturday.

 

“Thank you to our extended coaching staff for helping make this event happen. Being in two locations at once and competing at a high level speaks to the strength, culture and tradition of our program.â€

 

The Junior Bears blew away the varsity competition by an astonishing 380-33 five-meet combined total.

 

They defeated Karns (78-6), Knox Central (78-6), Greenback (78-6, Knox Powell (72-12) and the host Fulton team (74-3).

 

The JV team was captained by Will Kaylor, Trey Johnson and Curtis Rzeplinski, “all promising Bears with winning varsity records this season,†according to Coach Smith.

 

Meanwhile on the Virginia border, after downing a pair of state-ranked teams in No. 3 Christian Brothers (41-28) and 12th-ranked Science Hill (45-21) in the Moffatt Duals Friday evening, Bradley’s varsity unit cruised to a 96-point victory in the prestigious Fandetti/Richardson Brawl traditional-style tournament Saturday.

 

Posting an event record 302 team points, the Bears had five weight class champions, a pair of runners-up and a half dozen other medalists to place in 13 of the 14 divisions.

 

The champions included seniors TJ Hicks (over a 2-time Fargo All-American in the finals), Ethan Anderson, Ryan McElhaney, Knox Fuller and Austin Mathews.

 

Wesley Devaney and Kevin Gentry advanced to the title matches but had to settle for second place, while Caleb Adkins finished third and Andy Robinson fourth in their respective divisions. Henley Headrick, Ed Elkins, DJ Gibson and Chris Cash each earned fifth-place finishes.

 

Jorden Moats also participated as non-scorer at 152 pounds, placing seventh.

 

“Couldn't be more proud of #DaBEARS over the past two days!†tweeted Coach Smith on Saturday evening. “It's not the victories that define a team, but the way they respond to defeat and disappointment. And, our boys responded well! Two big dual wins yesterday over state-ranked opponents AND a tournament scoring record today at the Fandetti Brawl = one PROUD coach!â€

 

Well behind the Bears in the team scoring were Christian Brothers (206), Science Hill (188.5), No. 7-ranked Wilson Central (173.5), North Henderson, N.C., (163), Heritage (127), T.C. Roberson, N.C. (104), Pigeon Forge (103.5), Abingdon, Va., (101) and Lake Norman, N.C. (97), rounding out the top 10.

 

In seven tournaments so far this season, Bradley has claimed a half dozen championships and a runner-up trophy. The Bears are 17-2 in dual meet competition.

 

Bradley will battle with third-ranked Soddy-Daisy Thursday at Jim Smiddy Arena for the District 8 championship. The match will also be Senior Night for the Bears’ final home match.

 

The Bear B-team returned to Knoxville today to participate in Karns JV tournament action.

 

PROVIDED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY THE NEWSPAPERS OF TENNESSEE

 

© 2017 CLEVELAND NEWSPAPERS, INC. | HOME| CONTACT US | SUBSCRIBE | ARCHIVE

 

POWERED BY: CREATIVE CIRCLE MEDIA SOLUTIONS

Edited January 17, 2017 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Region One Showdown...

 

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/local-briefs-wrestling-girls-basketball-showdowns-on-tap-tuesday/article_343fbc50-dc74-11e6-a56e-af9e9c186923.html

 

Vikings take on ’Toppers Tuesday

 

Tennessee High will look to position itself for another Region 1-AAA duals title when the Vikings face Science Hill on Tuesday at Viking Hall.

 

The Vikings and Hilltoppers met in the regional final last year with Tennessee High claiming its first regional duals crown since 1994 with a 35-30 win.

 

Tennessee High also defeated Science Hill during the 2016 state duals on its way to a bronze finish, but the Bristol bunch fell to the Hilltoppers during regular-season competition last year, suffering a 43-24 setback that gave Science Hill the top seed out of the Big Seven Conference for the regional tournament.

 

Tonight’s winner is expected again to claim the Big Seven title and earn the league’s top seed for next week’s regional duals.

 

A total of eight wrestlers individually ranked in the top six in their respective weight classes are slated to take the mat during the Science Hill-THS match, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

 

Dobyns-Bennett and David Crockett will also take part in Tuesday’s quad at Viking Hall.

 

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

 

The Price Pipeline and baton pass to Miller

Moving forward in Tri-cities area...

 

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Wrestling/2017/01/17/Science-Hill-captures-Big-7-wrestling-title.html

 

JOHNSON CITY PRESS • UPDATED YESTERDAY AT 9:27 PM

 

BRISTOL — Science Hill repeated as Big Seven Conference champions what was billed as one of the biggest duel wrestling matches ever in Northeast Tennessee.

 

The Hilltoppers raced out to a big early lead and took a 36-27 decision over Tennessee High on Tuesday night at Viking Hall.

 

Science Hill, which led 30-6 before Tennessee High rallied, swept all the weight classes from 152 to 220 pounds.

 

Arthur James and William Diehl earned wins in 152 and 160 before Joseph Morrell at 170 and James Kalogeros at 182 earned pins.

 

Weston Brown got the win by forfeit at 195 before Denzel Medina finished the Science Hill run with a win at 220.

 

“The first four matches, we split 2-2 and then we went on a pretty good tear,†Science Hill coach Jimmy Miller said. “Our kids wrestled well. They wrestled to the level they have all year and it’s what we’ve done every week. We’ve wrestled tough competition, eight of 12 of the top teams in the state. We were ready for this match with how we’ve had such a tough competition.â€

 

Other Science Hill wins included Grayson Pridemore taking a 6-5 decision over Nathan Johnson at 138 and Nathan Wysong clinched the match with a pin at 120.

 

“It just happened to be where it fell in the match, that we ran into Wysong in the end,†Miller said. “He’s a solid kid who has wrestled tough competition. He made some adjustments and got the pin in the first period. We also had two of our kids — William Diehl and Denzel Medina — beat a pair of their state medalists.â€

 

With the Big 7 regular season title clinched, the Hilltoppers will host the Region 1-AAA duals on Jan. 26.

 

 

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

 

Little Maryville press fur Alcoa....

 

http://m.thedailytimes.com/sports/alcoa-wrestling-wraps-up-successful-weekend/article_c022bcea-9ee5-5d68-b9fd-82192921efc2.html?mode=jqm

 

Alcoa wrestling wraps up successful weekend

 

By sports@thedailytimes.com | Posted 13 hours ago

 

The Alcoa wrestling team concluded weekend action with two top finishes in team competition. On Friday and Saturday, Alcoa finished second in the sixth annual Ed Cressell Classic in Bristol, Va. The Tornadoes had three champions: Noah Evans (182), Grant Brace (220) and Sammy Evans (285), and one second place finsher, Michael Mora-Colon (132). Other medalists included Alex Richardson, third at 145 pounds, and Ryan Wimbley, sixth at 113.

Edited January 18, 2017 by Sommers

[Sommers]

A little press for Coach Foreman and fruits of hard work in Sevier County...

 

http://www.themountainpress.com/sports/pf-wrestlers-post-solid-performances-ahead-of-county-championships/article_69e64027-6f30-5790-a248-0216a2ff0903.html

 

PF wrestlers post solid performances ahead of county championships

 

PIGEON FORGE— The Pigeon Forge High School wrestling team brought home a sixth-place finish in a Saturday meet and won a trio of matches on the road on Monday as they prepared for tonight's Sevier County Wrestling Championships.

 

In Saturday's Fandetti Brawl at Science Hill High School, the Tigers finished sixth out of 18 teams and had seven individual placers: Jacob Kieta (160 lb., 6th), Logan Harsson (152 lb., 8th), Caleb York (120 lb., 3rd), Dymond Smith (138 lb. 6th), CJ Dyer (126 lb., 7th), Ethan Olinger (170 lb., 7th) and Anthony Baiamonte (195 lb., 1st).

 

 

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

 

Cookeville Coverage

 

http://herald-citizen.com/stories/cavalier-wrestling-splits-at-siegel,19313

 

Cook's Cavalier wrestling splits at Siegel and Stewart's Creek

 

Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2017

 

 

From Staff Reports

 

The Cookeville High School wrestling team split wins during a tri-match at Siegel High School as the Cavaliers took down the Stars 45-27, but fell short of Stewarts Creek High School 44-25 on Tuesday.

 

The Cavs started heavy against the Stars, but lost the first bout as Dylan Houser (182) was pinned 27 seconds into the second round. However, the Cavs gained those points right back in the next bout as Cameron Caudill (195) scored a pin with 45 seconds left in the first round to make it 6-6. The Cavs kept the scoring going as both Matthew Erickson (220) and Jake Harrington (285) pinned their opponents to give the Cavs an 18-6 lead.

 

The Stars then caught a break as neither team filled the 106-pound weight class, and the Cavs gave them a forfeit win in the 113-pound weight class to make it 18-12. However, the Cavs took back control as Samuel Hadlock (120) and Hunter Harcum (126) both pinned their opponents to make it 30-12.

 

Luke Denny (132) was the first Cavalier to score a win without pinning as he won an 8-3 decision. Like Denny, Austin Hall (136) went the distance in his bout, but he lost his 8-3 decision. However, Bradley Houmard (145) turned it around with a pinfall victory just under one minute into the first round to make it 39-15.

 

The Cavs closed out the match with one win and two losses, but the cushion they had built sealed the deal. Alex Holloway (152) lost a 6-0 decision, Ben Bos (160) pinned his opponent with one minute remaining, and Jeff Enochs lost a 4-2 decision.

 

Things started one weight class lighter in the Cavs’ match with Stewarts Creek and Cookeville’s heavyweight stepped up. However, not enough pinfall wins and too many lightweight losses defeated the Cavs.

 

Trevor Siedlecki (170) may have started CHS out with a loss, but Houser, Cauldill, and Harrington all pinned their opponents, while Erickson won an 8-6 decision.

 

From there, the Cavs lost the next eight matches only to have Bos gain some pride with a win at the end. Hadlock, Harcum, and Holloway were all pinned by their opponents, while Denny, Hall, and Houmard lost decisions.

 

Six Cavs earn medals at Knoxville Halls

 

@:The Cavs had five wrestlers earn medals on Saturday at the Knoxville Halls Invitational.

 

The best performance went to Houmard as he went all the way to the first-place match. However, he lost a 9-3 decision to come in second.

 

Harrington and Harcum both had fourth-place finishes as they both lost their first match, won three straight, but lost their third-place matches.

 

Houser led the final three as he took seventh place with a win in his final match. Houser was followed by the last two medalists as Cauldill and Holloway both went 2-3 for eighth-place finishes.

 

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

 

 

Mr Hunt reports

 

http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/1/17/339964/Notre-Dame-Wrestlers-Defeat-Signal.aspx

 

Rocco's Notre Dame Wrestlers Defeat Signal Mountain, 40-32

 

Tuesday, January 17, 2017 - by special report to chattanoogan.com

 

The Notre Dame wrestling team is hoping to qualify for the State Duals the first weekend in February and they took a big step in that direction with a 40-32 win over Signal Mountain Tuesday night at Notre Dame.

 

The Fighting Irish benefitted from five pins, including one from 220-pound Jacob Brigman in 1:04 that was the quickest of the match. Others came from Ned Warwick, David Hodges, James Boyd and Kobe Bragg.

 

Signal Mountain benefited from four forfeits, but had no pins.

 

NOTRE DAME 40, SIGNAL MOUNTAIN 32

 

106 -- Daniel Uhorchul (SM) major dec. Thomas Loher, 11-0;

 

113 -- Kevin Muschel (SM) won by forfeit;

 

120 -- Paul Tate (SM) major dec. Harrison Nichol, 15-5;

 

126 -- Grant Speer (ND) major dec. Joey Harig, 14-3;

 

132 -- Elijah Weaver (SM) won by forfeit;

 

138 -- Ned Warwick (ND) pinned Preston Worley, 2:38;

 

145 -- David Hodges (ND) pinned Nicholas Leun, 3:27;

 

152 -- Alex Spraker (ND) dec. Oliver Goodgame, 9-6;

 

160 -- Daniel Hodges (ND) dec. Will Davis, 7-0;

 

170 -- Jake Woodlief (SM) won by forfeit;

 

182 -- Barrett Buffington (SM) won by forfeit;

 

195 -- James Boyd (ND) pinned Charles Payne, 4:03;

 

220 -- Jacob Brigman (ND) pinned Mason Hilke, 1:04;

 

285 -- Kobe Bragg (ND) pinned Steven Goff, 1:21.

 

(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

 

 

_____________________________

 

 

Carr and Johnson gets conference honors in January...

 

http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/1/18/340027/UTC-s-Johnson-Sweeps-SoCon-Wrestling.aspx

 

UTC's Johnson Sweeps SoCon Wrestling Honors

 

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

 

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga heavyweight Jared Johnson swept weekly honors from the Southern Conference, the league office announced today. He was named the SoCon Wrestler of the Week, as well as the SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week, for all competition from Jan. 11-17.

 

Johnson went 4-0 with a pair of wins over ranked opponents in the Mocs' four matches at the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Virginia, on Friday and Saturday.

 

The redshirt senior from Jefferson City, Missouri, opened his week with a 9-1 major decision over Old Dominion's Will Hilliard on Friday before earning a 4-1 win over 19th-ranked Ross Larson of Oklahoma later in the day.

 

Johnson capped the opening day with another ranked win, this time shutting out No. 16 Thomas Haines of Lock Haven, 3-0.

 

On Saturday, he completed his undefeated week with a 7-2 win over Bucknell's Tyler Greene. For his efforts, Johnson climbed one spot to No. 10 nationally in the latest InterMat heavyweight rankings.

 

This is Johnson's fourth career SoCon Wrestler of the Week honor. Only Nick Soto (2011-14) and Matt Keller (2005-07), who were honored five times, have more in their career in UTC history.

 

The SoCon Student-Athlete honor is the second in the last three weeks for Johnson. This award recognizes student-athletes that hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and whose sport is currently in-season. Nominees must have also completed at least one full academic year at their respective institutions.

 

Johnson is a two-time Academic All-SoCon team member who is currently working on an M.B.A. He was an honors graduate in the Spring of 2016 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a 3.76 GPA. This is his fourth career SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week honor .

 

Chattanooga (3-7, 1-0 SoCon) returns to the mat Saturday when it travels to Edwardsville, Illinois, for a league dual against SIUE (1-8, 1-1).

 

2016-17 SoCon Wrestlers of the Week

Nov. 9 - Nathan Kraisser, Campbell

Nov. 16 - David Peters-Logue, Appalachian State

Nov. 23 - Freddie Rodriguez, SIUE

Dec. 7 - Nathan Kraisser, Campbell

Dec. 14 - Jake McKiernan, SIUE

Dec. 21 - Vito Pasone, Appalachian State

Jan. 4 - Bryce Carr, Chattanooga

Jan. 11 - Colby Smith, Appalachian State

Jan. 18 - Jared Johnson, Chattanooga

 

General Shale SoCon Student-Athletes of the Week

Sept. 7: Frank Lara, Furman, Men's Cross Country

Sept. 14: Jay Broom, VMI, Men's Cross Country

Sept. 21: Tori Penrod, Mercer, Volleyball

Sept. 28: Derrick Craine, Chattanooga, Football

Oct. 5: Anna Maddox, Samford, Women's Soccer

Oct. 12: Maddie Clark, Mercer, Women's Soccer

Oct. 19: Samantha Espy, The Citadel, Volleyball

Oct. 26: Myles Pierce, The Citadel, Football

Nov. 2: David Marvin, Wofford, Football

Nov. 9: Virginia McNeill, Samford, Women's Soccer

Nov. 16: Jajuan Stinson, ETSU, Football

Nov. 30: Sherae Bonner, Western Carolina, Women's Basketball

Dec. 7: Amanda Thompson, Mercer, Women's Basketball

Dec. 14: Ellen Riggins, Samford, Women's Basketball

Dec. 21: Ellen Riggins, Samford, Women's Basketball

Jan. 4: Jared Johnson, Chattanooga, Wrestling

Jan. 11: Lydia McGee, Samford, Women's Basketball

Jan. 4: Jared Johnson, Chattanooga, Wrestling

Edited January 19, 2017 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Region 4 update...

 

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/preps/story/2017/jan/20/shock-and-awe-bradley-wrestlers-bedown-sixth-/408505/

 

Bradley Central wrestlers beat down sixth-ranked Soddy-Daisy, 57-6

 

January 20th, 2017by Ward Gossettin Sports - PrepsRead Time: 2 mins.

 

Pic

 

Soddy-Daisy coach Jim Higgins adds encouragement to his wrestler Hayden Maynor as he ties the match with Henley Headrick of Bradley Central Thursday night in Cleveland.

 

Photo by Tim Barber /Times Free Press.

 

Pic

 

Bradley Central coach Ben Smith reacts to a call from the referee Thursday night during the match with Soddy-Daisy in Cleveland.

 

Photo by Tim Barber /Times Free Press.

 

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The region's Class AAA wrestling dual pairings are all but set, but the fashion in which they were decided Thursday night closely resembled shock and awe.

 

While Cleveland put a 48-point decision on Walker Valley to win its district 60-12, Bradley Central put on a beatdown the likes of which may never have been seen in the Bears' annual series with Soddy-Daisy.

 

Bradley won 12 of 14 individual matches and posted a 57-6 victory over the visiting and sixth-ranked Trojans to win their district, thus setting the schedule for the region duals.

 

"I'm ashamed. We said the same thing the last time we showed up at Jim Smiddy Arena," Soddy-Daisy coach Jim Higgins said of his team's performance. "Tonight we looked very poor. I'm embarrassed for the kids because we didn't wrestle more as a team and for one another. We could've wrestled smarter and better managed our matches rather than throwing haymakers all night."

 

The region duals will be held Thursday at Rhea County. Bradley Central likely will wrestle Walker Valley (if the Mustangs beat McMinn County and Rhea County today) and Soddy-Daisy will meet Cleveland in semifinal matches before what should be the third Cleveland-Bradley meet of the season.

 

The region winner and runner-up will advance to the state duals in Franklin (at the Williamson County Agricultural Expo).

 

Cleveland is ranked No. 1 in the state in the latest Tennessee coaches' poll while Bradley is No. 2. The Blue Raiders have a pair of one-point victories over the Bears this season.

 

As for the Soddy-Daisy outcome, defending champion Bradley made an emphatic statement regarding the upcoming region and state duals.

 

"That score against a team like Soddy-Daisy — there were a lot closer matches in that meet than the score shows, but that's indicative of a great program and great coaches, which is what they have," Bradley coach Ben Smith said.

 

There were some close matches, Bradley winning by a point in three of them (Wes Devaney at 106 pounds, Gavin Hughes at 120 and Henley Headrick at 160).

 

That his Trojans failed to score in three matches and lost those by a total of seven points was of little consolation to Higgins, whose two winners were 126-pound Charles Wheaton and 220-pound Ty Boeck.

 

"We just rode out some matches, and I felt a couple of our guys didn't finish their matches. I'm disheartened," said Higgins, who had several discussions with the referee during the match in which he expressed dismay with the officiating.

 

But he wasn't about to take anything from the Bears.

 

"They outwrestled us, they outworked us and they wanted it more than us. All those things were apparent," the Trojans coach said. "If you were here and witnessed it, you'd be ashamed of Soddy-Daisy."

 

Bradley wasted little time in forging a commanding lead, getting four pins just six matches in for a 27-3 lead. The Bears extended that advantage to 39-3 before Wheaton's win.

 

"We had six pins and five decisions. We won the close ones and we won where we needed to," Smith said. "I think the kids have responded well to losing two close matches (to Cleveland)."

 

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him on Twitter @wardgossett.

 

 

More Articles

 

Chattanooga area eighth-grade wrestlers making their marks as high school competitors [photos]....

 

 

 

Ying Beasts coming up, esp McCallie...

 

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/preps/story/2017/jan/20/eighth-grade-wrestlers-making-their-marks-hig/408511/

 

 

LOGIN

 

Chattanooga area eighth-grade wrestlers making their marks as high school competitors [photos]

 

January 20th, 2017by Ward Gossettin Sports - PrepsRead Time: 3 mins.

 



 

Preston Worley, right, wrestles at 132 pounds on the Signal Mountain varsity squad.

 

Photo by Tim Barber /Times Free Press.

 

Gallery: Eighth-grade wrestlers making their marks as high school competitors

 

+5

 

more photos

 

Last weekend, East Hamilton beat Walker Valley in a down-to-the-wire wrestling match, and an eighth-grader secured the win.

 

There are a handful of eighth-graders competing in high school varsity meets this season, including Elijah Vance, who put East Hamilton over the top last week.

 

"He's actually a backup 106-pounder, but our 113-pounder has been injured and he's been starting there," Hurricanes coach Ryan Cooper said. "He's 12-3 as an eighth-grader who has been wrestling as a backup."

 

There are four eighth-graders wrestling for Signal Mountain — Daniel Uhorchuk, Kale Albritton, Kevin Muschel and Preston Worley — but for Eagles coach Joe Jellison the reasoning was based on being able to field a full team.

 

"We're a program with middle school and high school programs," Jellison said. "Our decision was like a two-edged sword — benefiting the high school team but perhaps hurting the middle school team. But we still have 20 middle school wrestlers."

 

Another eighth-grader, McCallie's Alex Whitworth, is a year-round wrestler and has had the biggest impact on his team. Whitworth was the 106-pound runner-up at the McCallie Invitational, and that finals loss is the only setback he has suffered in 21 matches.

 

"Alex spends a lot of time at it in the offseason. It's something he's passionate about and something his parents have supported," coach Mike Newman said. "Having talent is one thing and having opportunity is another, but it can be special when those are combined with that wrestler's passion."

 

Whitworth is one of few McCallie wrestlers to spend all of his eighth-grade season on the varsity, the others being five-time state champion T.J. Duncan and four-time titlist Ryan Scott.

 

The positives are self-explanatory, but there can be minuses.

 

"You worry about how they'll adapt when the competition is stepped up, especially a kid at a middle or upper weight, and we're always mindful of their confidence," Newman said. "You have to see if they have the maturity, strength and experience week in and week out over the course of a full season."

 

The public school season in Hamilton County is limited — eight to nine weeks — which curtails extended training, and Signal Mountain and East Hamilton are the only wrestling-program high schools with middle schools under the same roof, which allows them to legally use eighth-graders under TSSAA rules.

 

"You might as well move them up if you can," Cooper said. "It will give the kids more quality mat time. The (Hamilton County Athletic Conference middle school) season is so short that they can't get the wrestling they will with the high school program."

 

When Jellison approached some of his youngsters about wrestling with the high school team at Signal, he said they jumped at the opportunity.

 

"When we told them we were thinking about moving them up, they were for it," he said. "They weren't going to get a lot of good competition in middle school, and Kevin and Kale just dominated middle school competition last season. Them staying with the middle school might've helped that team, but they weren't getting a whole lot of competition.

 

"Uhorchuk had not wrestled with the middle school but had spent his time in AAU programs, and he actually came to us about wrestling with the high school varsity."

 

Still, Jellison and the others have considerations beyond the program.

 

"It's good that these guys are getting an early taste of what it's like, but they're still young teenagers and in some cases they're going against grown guys," Jellison said. "Strength is my biggest concern because they are sometimes wrestling stronger, more physical kids."

 

Cooper doesn't particularly worry about injuries against older, more mature wrestlers.

 

"It's not boxing or the MMA," he said. "A lot of times when we bring people up they're in the lighter weights, where there's less chance of big strength or age differences."

 

Cooper brought up a couple of eighth-graders last year also, and one of those, Cade Meeks, finished third in the region and qualified for the state. The other, Conner Thornburg, was 17-4 before fracturing his wrist in the practice room a couple of weeks prior to the region tournament.

 

"So many of the eighth-graders are wrestling in the offseason and have gotten used to being in big matches. Those opportunities weren't around 15-20 years ago like they are now," Newman said. "If you look at Georgia or even Tennessee, kids are getting better quicker than they have in the past."

 

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfree press.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him on Twitter @wardgossett.

Edited January 20, 2017 by Sommers

[Sommers]

East side...

 

Knox County has a new wrestling program

 

http://knoxfocus.com/2017/01/fba-has-countys-newest-wrestling-program/

 

FBA has county’s newest wrestling program

 

By design on January 22, 2017No Comment

 

Pic

 

By Ken Lay

 

Knox County has a new wrestling program. First Baptist Academy-Powell began competing in the sport this season and the Eagles are a Freshman/JV Team but Coach Josh Neely has some lofty expectations for the program’s future.

 

The program may be new but the coach is no stranger to high school athletics and he’s also a familiar face in the Powell Community. Josh Neely once played football and wrestled for the Powell Panthers before graduating from the school in 2015,

 

The 20-year old Neely is attending Roane State Community College and he’s the son of longtime Powell assistant football coach and wrestling coach Larry Neely.

 

The wrestling team’s season will conclude at the end of the month when they compete in the Freshman/JV Tournament at Northview Academy.

 

Neely said the first year of the program has been a successful one.

 

“I think, first and foremost, it’s got to be fun and these guys really enjoy wrestling,†said Neely, who played football and wrestled at Powell High School for four years. “They really seem to love it.

 

“They come in here and they work hard every day and that just shows how much they enjoy the sport and how much they want to get better at it.â€

 

The Eagles practice in a gym that’s in a converted warehouse behind Vaughn Pharmacy.

 

Numbers are small at First Baptist Academy this season as the team is comprised of Eric Armstrong (a freshman who wrestles in the 160-pound weight division); Derek Harrison (a sophomore 182-pounder) and sophomore Nick Hutchison, who also competes in the 160-pound class. Two of the grapplers are newcomers to the sport and Hutchison is the nephew of Jimmy Parton, the one-time Panthers head coach, who currently serves as an assistant to Larry Neely at Powell High.

 

Josh said that First Baptist Academy has its youth wrestling program in place and that’s he’s hopeful that those athletes will pursue the sport in high school. He says that he must sell the sport by appealing to the athlete’s desire to participate and compete.

 

Wrestling is intense and extremely demanding. But unlike other high school sports, wrestlers are not relegated to sitting on the bench.

 

“In wrestling, you can always find a match for somebody,†Josh said. “Even if it’s an exhibition match, it’s a match.

 

“Wrestling is for everybody.â€

 

Although he coaches wrestling alongside high school chum and former teammate Eli Bishop, Josh said that football has been a bigger part of his life than wrestling. But like most wrestlers, he has a passion for that sport as well.

 

He hopes to pursue a coaching position in either sport and may look to coach college wrestling or high school, college and professional football.

 

“I’ll go where God leads me,†Josh said.

 

For now, he’s at First Baptist, where he attends church. He’s grateful that headmaster Matt Mercer (who is also the school’s boys basketball coach) has given him the opportunity.

 

Josh will use a long-term gauge to measure the program’s success.

 

“My biggest thing is keeping these guys in the sport,†he said.

 

The young coach has had plenty of help from his father and one-time Halls wrestling legend and longtime coach Chris Vandergriff. Vandergriff and the elder Neely were teammates with the Red Devils. Vandergriff has always been Knoxville’s biggest wrestling ambassador. He’s been retired from coaching for several years. But he’s always lending a hand.

 

“They’ve both helped me,†Josh said. “Coach V has really helped me. He and my dad were teammates.

 

“Dad has given me pointers on how to make a schedule. We’ve practiced at Powell and he’s given us a mat.â€

 

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

 

Some decent West side Coverage from the 2nd Largest Paper in the state...

 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/01/21/cbhs-wrestling-course-postseason/96751656/

 

CBHS wrestling on course for postseason

 

Pic

 

Christian Brothers' Andrew Sweatt keeps Science Hill's Weston Brown from escaping during the Christian Brother's Duals Wresting Tournament at CBHS.

 

Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal

 

John Varlas | USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee9:20 p.m. CT Jan. 21, 2017

 

Arrive at school at 7:30. Weigh in at 8. Then wrestle pretty much all day before wrapping up at 6:30 p.m.

 

It was a long day for the competitors at the CBHS Duals Saturday. But no sweat, said CBHS senior Trevor Brown.

 

"It's what we signed up for."

 

At least Brown and his teammates were happy at the end of their 11-hour shift. The Brothers tuned up for the postseason with a victory in the 12-team round-robin competition, finishing ahead of a strong team from Johnson City Science Hill. Arlington — the top AAA program in town — was a solid third.

 

CBHS will host the region duals next Saturday then it's on to state Feb. 3-4, where the Brothers will look to match their 2013 championship when they became the only Shelby County school to accomplish the feat.

 



 

Science Hill's Tyler Seeley scores back points against Christian Brothers' Gehrig Salvaggio during the Christian Brother's Duals Wresting Tournament at CBHS.

 

Jim Weber, The Commercial Appeal

 

"You can flip a coin between us, Father Ryan and (Chattanooga) McCallie," said CBHS coach Chris Lewis. "It's going to be a dogfight. All of those teams can throw their hat in the ring.

 

"The stars are going to do what they do; what you need is for some of the role players to step up and maybe win a match or get a pin you don't expect."

 

Lewis' stars did well Saturday. Brown, the Division 2 runner-up at 138 last season, went 4-0 at 145. He scored a majority decision (17-8) over Science Hill's Luke Story before ending his day with a pin in 50 seconds of Arlington's Harrison Phillips.

 

Drew Nicholson (160) and Tommy Brackett (182) were also 4-0 for the Brothers. Nicholson — state runner-up at 152 in 2016 — decisioned William Diehl of Science Hill (8-1) before pinning Arlington's Josh Worley in 2:31.

 

Brackett, meanwhile, has bulked up to 182 after finishing second at 160 last season and also wrestled well, needing just 1:48 to pin Science Hill's Joseph Morrell.

 

 

 

Christian Brothers' Tommy Brackett scores a takedown against Science Hill's Joseph Morell during the Christian Brother's Duals Wresting Tournament at CBHS.

 

Jim Weber, The Commercial Appeal

 

CBHS also got a strong showing from 113-pound freshman Jackson Herring, who pinned Zach Scaggs of Science Hill in 1:01 before avenging an earlier loss to region champ Caleb Morgan of Arlington with a 4-3 victory.

 

"I think we're really coming together," said Brackett. "I think we're peaking at the right time and I wholeheartedly believe we can win (state) this year."

 

But contrast, Arlington coach Jonathan Simpson, a CBHS grad, said his team still has some work to do before it can realistically expect to unseat the Clevelands and Bradley Centrals of the world in the state's largest public school division.

 

"I think we have the potential to finish high. We've been a little inconsistent and that makes it hard," he said before going on to paraphrase that noted philosopher, Hannibal Smith from "The A Team."

 

"Give me a minute, I'm good. Give me an hour I'm great. Give me a couple of weeks and anything can happen.'

 

Pic

 

Bartlett's Cameron Oliver scores against Jeremy Moody from Summit during the Christian Brother's Duals Wresting Tournament at CBHS

 

________________________

 

 

UTC back in the win column again, Johnson continues his streak...

 

http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/1/21/340253/UTC-Wrestlers-Win-29-10-Over-Southern.aspx

 

UTC Wrestlers Win 29-10 Over Southern Illinois-Edward

 

Saturday, January 21, 2017

 

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team snapped a four-match slide with a 29-10 win at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville tonight. The Mocs (4-7, 2-0 SoCon) ran out to a 13-0 lead and took eight of the 10 individual matches in the win.

 

Sophomore Alonzo Allen continues to impress with another big win at 125. He scored an 18-9 decision over senior Freddy Rodriguez to open the dual. Rodriguez was the preseason Southern Conference favorite at 125 after winning the league title last year.

 

 

 

Sophomore Chris Debien followed that with a 16-11 decision over John Muldoon at 133. Both of the Mocs first two wrestlers set season highs for scoring in a Division I match.

 

Sophomore Chase Zemenak scored a decision at 141 and freshman Dylanger Potter won in overtime at 149. SIUE (1-9, 1-2 SoCon) got on the board with a pin at 157, but junior Justin Lampe answered with a decision at 165.

 

The Cougars made it 16-10 with a major at 174, but the Mocs won the last three. Junior Bryce Carr, No. 17 at 184 this week, improved to 15-3 with a pin. Senior Clay Dent scored an overtime win at 197 and No. 10 Jared Johnson closed out the evening with a major decision at heavyweight.

 

The Mocs return home next Saturday for a doubleheader against Campbell and Davidson. Action begins at Noon (E.S.T.) at Maclellan Gym.

 

Chattanooga 29 – Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 10

Jan. 21, 2017 – Edwardsville, Ill.

125: Alonzo Allen (UTC) – MD 18-9 - Freddie Rodriguez (SIUE) – UTC 4-0

133: Chris Debien (UTC) – Dec. 16-11 - John Muldoon (SIUE) – UTC 7-0

141: Chase Zemenak (UTC) – Dec. 5-1 - Trevor Feagans (SIUE) – UTC 10-0

149: Dylanger Potter (UTC) – Dec. 7-3 (SV1) - John Fahy (SIUE) – UTC 13-0

157: Karsten Van Velsor (SIUE) – Fall 2:21 - Dalton Clark (UTC) – UTC 13-6

165: Justin Lampe (UTC) – Dec. 11-4 - Clayton Bass (SIUE) UTC 16-6

174: Jake Residori (SIUE) – MD 9-1 - Sean Mappes (UTC) – UTC 16-10

184: No. 17 Bryce Carr (UTC) – Fall 3:19 - Jake Godinez (SIUE) – UTC 22-10

197: Clay Dent (UTC) – Dec. 11-5 (SV1) - Jake Tindle (SIUE) – UTC 25-10

285: No. 10 Jared Johnson (UTC) – MD 8-0 - Jake McKiernan (SIUE) – UTC 29-10

 

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

 

 

More updates info on Mocs to this point...

 

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/college/story/2017/jan/22/mocs-wrestlers-improve-2-0-socon/408780/

 

Mocs wrestlers improve to 2-0 in SoCon

 

January 22nd, 2017by Staff Reporting​ Sports - CollegeRead Time: < 1 min.

 

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team had an overnight bus ride, but the trip probably didn't seem so long.

 

The wrestling Mocs broke a four-match losing streak, improved to 2-0 in the Southern Conference and evened their road record at 2-2 with a 29-10 victory Saturday evening at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

 

The 29 points are the most the Mocs have scored since a 41-5 victory over VMI in their conference opener on Nov. 10.

 

UTC won eight of the 10 matches Saturday, getting a pin from 184-pound Bryce Carr and major decisions from Alonzo Allen (125) and 11th-ranked heavyweight Jared Johnson.

 

Johnson's win was his 20th of the season and improved his career record to 76-26. Carr, ranked 18th nationally, got his 18th win of the season. Those two, along with Allen, Chris DeBien (133), Justin Lampe (165) and Clay Dent (197) remained unbeaten in the league.

 

DeBien is now 9-9 overall after his third straight win, while Lampe also posted his third in a row.

 

Allen has won four of his last five, and three of those wins have come by a team-bonus major decision.

 

The Mocs will wrestle at home Saturday when they host Campbell (noon) and Davidson (2 p.m.) at Maclellan Gym.

 

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

 

Intense NCAA rivalry continues as No. 10 Cornell wrestling team edges No. 7 Lehigh, 21-20 -

 

http://www.cornellbigred.com/news/2017/1/21/consecutive-pins-give-wrestling-win-at-7-lehigh.aspx

 

Consecutive pins by seniors Brian Realbuto and Gabe Dean allowed Cornell to rally from a 17-3 halftime deficit for a 21-20 victory over No. 7 Lehigh on Saturday afternoon at Leeman-Turner Arena

 

The Mountain Hawks lead the all-time series 60-32-3, though Cornell is 6-1 over the last seven meetings. The two teams have combined to win 17 of the last 18 EIWA titles, with the last 10 going to Cornell.

Edited January 24, 2017 by Sommers

[KingUCoach]

http://www.kingtornado.com/sports/wrest/2016-17/releases/20170121m2o8u1

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's wrestling team returned to the Student Center Complex in a big way on Saturday afternoon. The Tornado showed their dominance early and throughout their 44-6 victory over Coker College.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 44, Coker 6
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 4-3, 2-1 ECAC; Coker 3-4, 0-3 ECAC

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Reed Jacks got King off to a good start with a 3-1 decision over Frank Velez at 125 pounds. Jacks earned a takedown in the second period and an escape in the third to take the victory.
• Jacob Wynn followed with an impressive performance against Dylan Barrett at 133 pounds. He earned a takedown and followed it with four near falls to take the 18-0 technical fall victory.
• Fifth-ranked Dustin Kirk came away with a 7-3 decision over Matthew Kieta with a pair of takedowns in the first and third periods.
• At 149 pounds, Ethyn Ewing gave King their first of three pins in the match, pinning Bret Shurina. Following a Shurina takedown, Ewing evened the score with a reversal and earned the pin in 1:26.
• Cory Collins followed with a 10-1 major decision over Walker Barfield at 157 pounds. Leading 2-0 after the first period, Collins earned an escape and two takedowns in the second period and another takedown in the third for the win.
• Landon Reed had a big first period against Jamez Taylor at 165 pounds, with a takedown and three near falls. He then earned an escape early in the second period for the 15-0 technical fall.
• At 174 pounds, Joey Mammolenti pinned Jamal Lackey in 2:25, giving King a 32-0 lead over the Cobras.
• Elijah Seay had a good first period, building up an 8-2 lead over Jordon Garlow at 184 pounds. Following a takedown in the second period, Seay earned the pin in 3:39.
• Eldon Valery, Jr. earned a win by forfeit at 197 pounds, the Cobras took a win by forfeit at 285 pounds, giving King the 44-6 victory.

UP NEXT

• Both King and Coker are in action again next Friday and Saturday at the Super Region II Duals hosted by Newberry College.

KING (4-3, 2-1 ECAC) 44, COKER (3-4, 0-3 ECAC) 6

125 – Reed Jacks (KING) dec. Frank Velez (CC), 3-1 (KING 3-0)

133 – Jacob Wynn (KING) tech. fall Dylan Barrett (CC), 18-0 (KING 8-0)

141 – No. 5 Dustin Kirk (KING) dec. Matthew Kieta (CC), 7-3 (KING 11-0)

149 – Ethyn Ewing (KING) pinned Bret Shurina (CC), 1:26 (KING 17-0)

157 – Cory Collins (KING) maj. dec. Walker Barfield (CC), 10-1 (KING 21-0)

165 – Landon Reed (KING) tech. fall Jamez Taylor (CC), 15-0 (KING 26-0)

174 – Joey Mammolenti (KING) pinned Jamal Lackey (CC), 2:25 (KING 32-0)

184 – Elijah Seay (KING) pinned Jordon Garlow (CC), 3:39 (KING 38-0)

197 – Eldon Valery, Jr. (KING) wins by forfeit (KING 44-0)

285 – Nathan Troutvine (CC) wins by forfeit (KING 44-6)

[KingUCoach]

http://www.kingtornado.com/sports/wrest/2016-17/releases/20170120fr2gqx

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. – In the latest D2Wrestle.com rankings, the King University men's wrestling team continues to receive votes in the national poll, while Dustin Kirk continues to be ranked in the top five in the national rankings at 133 pounds. In the Super Region Two rankings, King is ranked 10th and has four individuals ranked, including Kirk who is ranked second.

NATIONAL RANKINGS

For the third straight poll, the Tornado are receiving votes in the national D2Wrestle.com poll and have one individual ranked.

After his showing at the Virginia Duals, Kirk is currently ranked fifth. Kirk went 3-1 at the Virginia Duals with a 17-2 technical fall victory over Ashton Robinson from Liberty University and pinned Alex Velez from Camden Community College. Kirk is 13-7 on the season with five wins by pin and two major decisions.

SUPER REGION TWO RANKINGS

In the latest edition of the D2Wrestle.com regional rankings, the Tornado are ranked 10th in Super Region Two. King also has four individuals ranked at their respective weight classes in the region.

Kirk is ranked second at 133 pounds, and leads the way for King following a 3-1 finish at the Virginia Duals. A 17-2 technical fall victory over Ashton Robinson from Division 1 Liberty University and a pin over Alex Velez from Camden Community College has Kirk in a great ranking. Kirk is 13-7 on the season with five wins by pin and two major decisions.

Bryce Killian held his fourth place ranking at 141 pounds. He went 2-1 at the Virginia Duals. At 174 pounds, Joey Mammolenti is ranked sixth after defeating Dylan Gouine from Emmanuel by a 4-0 decision. Mammolenti is 16-9 on the season, including a 4-1 mark on technical falls.

Cody Davis is ranked eighth at 285 pounds and defeated Kenny Mason from Emmanuel College by a 1:16 second pin in his latest victory.

King returns to the mat on Saturday. The Tornado host Coker College in an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) bout in the Student Center Complex at 1:00 p.m.

[KingUCoach]

http://www.kingtornado.com/sports/wwrest/2016-17/releases/20170120usugmb

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The top-ranked King University women's wrestling team honored their seniors on Friday night and turned in a solid performance to defeat 14th-ranked Emmanuel College. All three seniors earned wins and the Tornado took the final three matches by pin to take the dual 38-3.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: No. 1 King 38, No. 14 Emmanuel 3
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 12-0; Emmanuel 6-8

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Cassidy Ferrell got the Tornado going with a 10-0 technical fall victory over Alouette Gonzalez at 101 pounds and Marina Doi followed with an 11-0 technical fall win over Maria Vidales at 109 pounds.
• At 109 pounds, senior Breonnah Neal took a 10-0 technical fall victory over seventh-ranked Cincy Calixto before King opened up a 17-0 lead with a win by forfeit at 123 pounds.
• Fellow senior Hanna Grisewood took a 5-0 lead before taking a win by injury default at 130 pounds before Emmanuel got on the board with a win at 136 pounds.
• Jessi Kee started a run of pins to close the match for the Tornado at 143 pounds, pinning Krista Martin in 1:16.
• Senior Forrest Molinari then pinned Mia Leon in 17 seconds at 155 pounds an Alexis Bleau pinned Kayla Wade in 27 seconds, giving King the 38-3 victory.

UP NEXT

• King will be in action again on Friday and Saturday at the Bearcat Open in Lebanon, Ill.
• Emmanuel travels to take on MacMurray College in a dual before competing at the Bearcat Open.

 

No. 1 KING 38, No. 14 EMMANUEL 3

101 – Cassidy Ferrell (KING) tech. fall Alouette Gonzalez (EC), 10-0 (KING 4-0)

109 – No. 1 Marina Doi (KING) tech. fall. Maria Vidales (EC), 11-0 (8-0)

116 – No. 1 Breonnah Neal (KING) tech. fall No.7 Cindy Calixto (EC), 10-0 (KING 12-0)

123 – No. 3 Aleeah Gould (KING) wins by forfeit (KING 17-0)

130 – No. 1 Hanna Grisewood (KING) injury default Charline Haegemaster (EC) (KING 22-0)

136 – Abbey Nette (EC) dec. Gabby Garcia (KING), 5-4 (KING 23-3)

143 – No. 2 Jessi Kee (KING) pinned Krista Martin (EC), 1:16 (KING 28-3)

155 – No. 2 Forrest Molinari (KING) pinned Mia Leon (EC), 0:17 (KING 33-3)

170 – Alexis Bleau (KING) pinned Kayla Wade (EC), 0:27 (KING 38-3)

[Sommers]

MTSU gets plug from Flo...

 

http://www.flowrestling.org/article/51014-8-clovis-2-buchanan-live-this-weekend#.WIgrZllMHqA

 

Another weekend and another loaded weekend of wrestling with some of the best high school and college wrestling on tap.

 

NCWA National Duals

Date: January 27-28 | Time: 10 am ET | Where: Lynchburg, VA

Broadcast Info: WATCH LIVE HERE

 

Ten of the nation's top 15 NCWA-D1 teams will be in action including #1 Emmanuel, #2 Middle Tennessee, #3-t Liberty, #3-t Central Florida, #5 Grand Valley State, #6 Apprentice, #9 Springfield Tech CC, #11-t Florida, #13 Penn State - New Kensington, and #14 Alfred State. Liberty will look to become the first team to win three NCWA National Dual titles.

 

 

#8 Clovis @ #2 Buchanan

Date: January 26 | Time: 7:30 pm CT | Where: Clovis, CA

Broadcast Info: WATCH LIVE HERE

 

The greatest rivalry in California has quickly become one of if not the greatest rivalry in the country. Father, son, and brother do battle Thursday night as #2 Buchanan looks to pick their second win in a row over #8 Clovis.

 

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

 

Flo's Top 7 upsets of the week...

 

Mark Hall goes down to#13...

 

http://www.flowrestling.org/article/50981-top-7-upsets-of-the-week-in-ncaa-wrestling#.WIhH01lMHqA

 

Jan 23, 2017

 

Christian Pyles

 

Popular Right Now: From Off The Roster To On The Team, Conor Youtsey Is Back | Now Bo Knows Spladles? | Blair Goes Back To Back At Who's #1 Duals | Realbuto Pins Ryan Preisch Late

 

There were more than a few landscape-changing upsets this past week in NCAA competition, and this is the place to get caught up in a hurry on the biggest matches. If you want to take a look at each result, check out our complete NCAA box scores here. 

 

7) #7 Seth Gross, SDSU, wbd #2 Kaid Brock, OK State, 6-4

 

(WATCH MATCH)

I suppose it was an upset on paper: undefeated Kaid Brock versus a one-loss Seth Gross at 133 pounds. The scrambling and top game were a known potential issue for Brock. Those areas of strength for Gross proved to be the difference against the second-ranked Brock.

 

6) #9 Nate Rotert, SDSU, wbd #4 Preston Weigel, OK State, 3-1

 

(WATCH MATCH)

This was a really fun match in which Rotert shot incessantly and eventually got the much-needed finish to take out Wegel. Nos. 4-10 are a very liquid group for 197 this year. 

 

5) #13 Alex Meyer, Iowa, wbd Mark Hall, Penn State, 7-5

 

Though Hall didn't have a ranking at 174 (due to not being in the PSU lineup) with wins over No. 5 Kyle Crutchmer, No. 6 Ryan Preisch and No. 11 Casey Kent, he certainly would have been ranked higher than Meyer coming into Friday's dual against Iowa.

 

4) Yoanse Mejias, Oklahoma, wbd #10 Dylan Cottrell, WVU, 8-5

 

Oklahoma's lineup shift with Glass going down to 157 and inserting Mejia at 165 is looking like a great decision as Mejia took out Cottrell in a one-sided match. 

 

3) #15 David Kocer, SDSU, wbd #5 Kyle Crutchmer, OK State, 7-2

 

(WATCH MATCH)

One mistake for Crutchmer cost him the match. The Cowboys senior went big early looking for a cement mixer but was caught on his back for six and could never get it back. 

 

2) Trace Engelkes, Northern Illinois, wbd #9 Zac Brunson, Illinois, 6-2

 

I did a double-take on this one at 174. I can't lie, I didn't know the first thing about Engelkes coming into this weekend. He's actually been very solid all year, only losing to ranked opponents. Strangely, Brunson notched a great win over Myles Amine on Friday before suffering this loss. 

 

1) Kyle Langenderfer, Illinois, wbd #7 Brian Murphy (Michigan) 2-1

 

Langenderfer takes the cake this week. He's been up and down this year and actually was probably more down than up. In previous years, the 157-pounder had some big wins but hasn't been able to find his stride recently.  This one got chippy at the end, so I'm excited to see what happens if these two hit at Big Tens or NCAAs.

 

Honorable Mention:

#8 Tim Lambert, Nebraska over #4 Ethan Lizak, Nebraska

#12 Josh Alber, UNI over #11 Earl Hall, Iowa State

#6 Zane Richards, Illinois over #4 Stevan Micic, Michigan

Brent Fleetwood, CMU over #20 Barlow McGhee, Missouri

#20 Sal Mastriani, Virginia Tech over #18 Andrew Atkinson, UVA

 

 

________________________

 

 

Little Fairview High gets press from Tennessee's largest paper...

 

Fairview's Hope earns Grand Champion wrestling title...

 

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/williamson/fairview/2017/01/24/fairviews-hope-earns-grand-champion-wrestling-title/96997448/

 

Pic

 

The Fairview High School wrestling squad who competed in the MTWOA Grand Championship For Freshmen, Junior Varsity & ...more

 

Nancy Stephens | The Tennessean2:26 p.m. CT Jan. 24, 2017

 

Yellow Jacket freshmen, jv wrestlers make strong showing

 

On the heels of our recent sports feature about Fairview High School’s only female wrestler Hope Henderson, FHS head wrestling coach Jim Derrick is proud to report that Hope captured a tournament title over the weekend.

 

Excited about her success on the wrestling mats, Henderson represented Fairview High School along with a host of freshmen and junior varsity wrestlers at the Middle Tennessee Wrestling Officials Association (MTWOA) Grand Championship For Freshmen, Junior Varsity & Girls Divisions.

 

Share MediaShow Caption

 

Held January 21 at McGavock High School in Nashville, the Grand Championship was a single day tournament open to all freshmen level wrestlers in the Middle Tennessee area that MTWOA services. The JV and Girls Tournaments were open to all Tennessee and surrounding state wrestlers. JV level is defined as10 or fewer varsity matches or any wrestler with a 50% or less varsity record.

 



 

FHS’ Hope Henderson scores tournament title at Grand Championship competition on Jan. 21, 2017.

 

Submitted

 

Coach Derrick was super excited to announce that Henderson won the title for the Girls’ 112-lb weight class. Two Jackets on the JV squad scored second place finishes. They were Trey Bell in the 145-lb weight class and Nate Jackson in the 285-lb weight class.

 

Overall, the Fairview wrestlers secured a 19th place finish out of a field of 41 competing squads. “We had 15 entries in the tournament with a total of six medalists,†shared Coach Derrick. He also noted, “This is the largest group Fairview has taken to this tournament and we wrestled well.â€

 

Continue reading below

 

NEWS

 

Resolution would deem porn 'public health crisis'

 

NEWS

 

Hillwood High School to move to Bellevue

 

NEWS

 

Teens arrested in East Nashville shooting near Red Door

 

NEWS

 

Dickson armed robbery, pursuit ends in fiery crash

 

NEWS

 

Pharmacy Burger plans at Franklin's Factory change

 

Coach Derrick says the wrestlers made “a great showing to build on moving into the JV State and Girls West Region State Qualifier this weekend Saturday, January 28 at Nolensville High School.â€

 

Fairview High wrestlers also have the Varsity TSSAA Region 7 Duals to qualify for State Duals this Thursday, January 26 at Nolensville High School.

 

MTWOA Grand Championship Tournament Results

 

Fairview High Girls:

Hope Henderson 112 lbs Tournament Champion

 

Fairview High Freshman:

Max Morrill 97 lbs

Taylor Carroll 97 lbs

Zach Derrick 126 lbs

Luke Maxwell 138 lbs 3rd place medalist

Max Reed 152 lbs

Jackson Metts 170 lbs

Cody DeLano 170 lbs 4th place medalist

Connor Lindsey 285 lbs 4th place medalist

 

Fairview High JV:

Gary Hamilton 138 lbs

Blake Russell 138 lbs

Trey Bell 145 lbs 2nd place medalist

Trace Elliott 195 lbs

Hiller Gray 195 lbs

Nate Jackson 285 lbs 2nd place medalist

 

Reach Nancy Stephens at nstephens@gannett.com or 615-799-8565 ext. 2 and on Twitter @FairviewTNnews

Edited January 25, 2017 by Sommers

[Sommers]

The Chattanooga area will once again pack a powerful one-two combination to the state duals...

 

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/preps/story/2017/jan/27/cleveland-bradley-advance-state-duals/409761/

 

Cleveland, Bradley County advance to state duals

 

January 27th, 2017by Ward Gossettin Sports - PrepsRead Time: 2 mins.

 

EVENSVILLE, Tenn. — There was no settling of scores between the state's top high school wrestling teams Thursday night.

 

Top-ranked Cleveland, by virtue of two regular-season victories over No. 2 Bradley Central, walked out of the gym at Rhea County with the Region 4-AAA duals championship plaque by mutual agreement of the coaches — Cleveland's Josh Bosken and Bradley Central's Ben Smith.

 

That was after semifinal wins for both. Cleveland gained its state berth with a 39-28 victory over Soddy-Daisy and Bradley rolled past Walker Valley 77-6.

 

"What either of us had to gain was minimal," Smith said, "and whatever maximum gain we (Bradley) got was dependent upon two other regions. Best case — we win our region, Tennessee High wins its region and Wilson Central wins its, we would be in the top (half of the bracket) and Cleveland would be there with Tennessee High and Wilson Central.

 

"I think Cleveland and us are the best two teams in the state, and I really don't think it matters which side of the bracket either of us falls on."

 

He did so with a grimace, but Smith said the region championship plaque should go to Cleveland, which has beaten Bradley twice this season (by a total of two points).

 

"They beat us and they deserved that plaque," he said. "It's hard for me to swallow that pill, and a 25-year-old Ben Smith wouldn't have done that, but we've wrestled matches in the past that didn't need to be wrestled and it cost some kids because of injuries."

 

Bosken was agreeable with the arrangement.

 

"Neither one of us surrendered," the first-year Blue Raiders coach said. "We just said, 'It's not worth it.' We're both going to the state duals and we'll see each other (next) Saturday night."

 

Suffice it to say, though, that the Chattanooga area will once again be sending a powerful one-two combination to the state duals, which begin a week from today at the Williamson County Agricultural Expo in Franklin.

 

Cleveland and Bradley Central have jockeyed back and forth all year for the top spot in the Tennessee Wrestling Coaches Association poll, the latest of which has the Blue Raiders just a handful of points ahead of Smith's Bears. Both teams, though, have been banged and bruised over the past month with matches against each other and Soddy-Daisy thrown into the mix.

 

"Knowing my team and where we're at right now, six-seven-eight days of rest will be good for us," Smith said. "Mentally, emotionally we're in a good spot, but physically we're in a position where we have some things to take care of.

 

Added Bosken in a reference to a possible rematch for the state title: "I hope they're healthy and I hope we're healthy, and I hope we meet at 7 o'clock on (next) Saturday night."

 

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him on Twitter @wardgossett.

 

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

 

Supurb Bristol Coverage for Region One 1+AAA

 

 

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/vikings-again-flip-script-on-science-hill-for-regional-crown/article_98ac372c-e444-11e6-9d6d-dfbeb45714fd.html

 

 

Kings score 3 late in 3rd to beat skidding Hurricanes 3-0

 

Region 1-AAA duals

 

 

REPEAT REVERSAL

 

Vikings again flip script on Science Hill for regional crown

 

Nate Hubbard | Bristol Herald Courier

 

1 hr ago (1)

 

DAVID CRIGGER/BHC

 

THS's Bryson Henley wrestles agasint SHHS's Jim Kalogeros. Henley won the match on points.

 

Pic

 

DAVID CRIGGER/BHC

 

THS's Dillon Pendley pins SHHS's Zach Skaggs to take the win in the match.

 

Pic

 

 

DAVID CRIGGER/BHC

 

THS's Trent Nelson wrestles agasint SHHS's Tyler Seeley. Nelson won the match with a major decision.

 

Pic

 

Buy Now

 

DAVID CRIGGER/BHC

 

THS's Dominic Fields wrestles agasint SHHS's Dorian Butler. Fields won the match on points.

 

Pic

 

DAVID CRIGGER/BHC

 

THS's Logan Ferguson wrestles agasint SHHS's Cooper Williams. Ferguson won the match on points.

 

Pic

 

DAVID CRIGGER/BHC

 

THS's Dewey Pendley wrestles agasint SHHS's Luke Story. Pendley won the match on points.

 

Pic

 

DAVID CRIGGER/BHC

 

THS's Will Poore wrestles agasint SHHS's Grayson Pridemore. Poore won the match on points.

 

Pic

 

DAVID CRIGGER/BHC

 

Tennessee High celebrates their Regional Championship win against Science Hill.

 

Pic

 

Henley clinches regional duals crown

 

Bristol Herald Courier

 

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Like a certain once-mulleted fellow, Tennessee High went with an odd look Thursday.

 

Only on this occasion, the party out front belied serious business lurking in the back.

 

Donning casual sideline attire in an effort to put all their focus on the mat, the Vikings pulled off a repeat reversal in style.

 

A season after suffering a regular-season setback to Science Hill only to bounce back to down the Hilltoppers in the Region 1-AAA duals championship match, Tennessee High managed the same feat Thursday, shaking off a loss last week to their archrivals with a 37-24 triumph to claim their second straight regional duals crown.

 

“It feels pretty dang good,†said Tennessee High coach Tim Marshall. “The whole mantra this week was history repeats itself. That’s what everyone knew coming in; we were confident. There were a lot of games being played, social media stuff going on during the week, and we were just rising above that.â€

 

Tennessee High put on an impressive show last week hosting the Hilltoppers in Viking Hall with a rowdy crowd, snazzy warmups, dazzling lights and pulse-pounding music galore.

 

On the mat, however, the Vikings fell flat, giving Science Hill the Big Seven Conference title and the right to host the regional duals.

 

Determined to shake things up Thursday, the Vikings patrolled the sidelines in a mishmash of t-shirts and random gear while looking like a well oil-machine in dismantling the Hilltoppers.

 

“When we hosted, I think everybody was uptight,†said Marshall, sporting jeans and an Emmanuel College wrestling tee. “It was all about pageantry and show and everything. I said, ‘I don’t want to worry about anything – we’re going down there and wrestling.’

 

“We treated this like it was a summer match. Everyone came in loose and they were sitting over here on the bench having fun. It was all just about wrestling. Wear whatever you want; support whoever you want. Everyone knows who we are – we don’t need a shirt to tell them that.â€

 

Same goes for the forlornly shorn Bryson Henley.

 

Henley wore a gnarly mullet during football season this fall for the Vikings, but was forced to go with a close-cropped look during the wrestling season.

 

The senior leader looked to have had his follicle powers zapped like Samson in suffering a defeat in the match against the Hilltoppers last week, but up a weight class against a new opponent, James Kalogeros, he played the hero role Thursday, clinching the regional crown with a 4-3 victory at 170 pounds to give the Vikings an insurmountable 31-12 edge with three matches remaining.

 

“I like to have it on my shoulders,†Henley said, referring in this instance to the pressure-packed moment instead of unruly, flowing locks.

 

“We didn’t like last week. We wanted to wrestle back in Bristol. That gave us some motivation. … We had no doubt we were going to pull it out coming here.â€

 

Marshall said he was thrilled to see Henley come through in the clutch.

 

“I told him that he did absolutely exactly what we needed him to do," Marshall said. "That’s all we needed. We just needed a decision there and that’s what he did.â€

 

Henley sported a “Fear the Mullet†shirt with “Return†tapped below the slogan after the victory, vowing to bring back the hairstyle at season’s end, and he was spurred on Thursday by assistant coach Jon McClain, the locks-lopping barber himself who wore his own “Team Mullet†tee with a giant picture of Henley to fire up his wrestler.

 

In short, everyone did their part for the Vikings.

 

“It was a huge team effort,†Marshall said. “… Everybody did what they had to. It was awesome.â€

 

After the Vikings rolled past Morristown East (48-36) and Jefferson County (44-36) earlier Thursday to get back to the regional final, heavyweight Nathan Scott gave Tennessee High a jolt out of the gate against Science Hill by pinning Demitire Medina in 3:45.

 

Scott had squeaked out a 3-1 decision over Medina last week, but the pin gave the Vikings a quick extra three team points.

 

“Knowing that they were going to come in with the mentality that they’d already beaten us before, we just had to come in 10 times harder than we did,†Scott said. “It was definitely on my mind because if I got the pin it would get the momentum for the rest of the match.â€

 

After Scott’s opening pin, the Vikings rapidly established control with their strong wrestlers at the lower weights, getting a 9-1 major decision from Trent Nelson (106 pounds), a pin by Dillon Pendley (113) and a 6-2 decision from Dominic Fields (126) to establish a 19-3 advantage.

 

Decisions by Logan Ferguson (8-2, 132), Dewey Pendley (6-0, 138) and Will Poore (5-3, 152) then set up Henley for the clincher after a THS forfeit at 160 pounds. Jeremy Spangler rounded out the final score by earning a forfeit win at 220 pounds for the Vikings.

 

“They scored points where they needed to and we didn’t,†said Science Hill coach Jimmy Miller. “It’s that simple. … They wrestled better than we did tonight – period. End of story.â€

 

The Vikings used last year’s regional upset of the Hilltoppers as a springboard to a program-best, third-place finish at state duals.

 

After Thursday’s triumph, they’ll enter next weekend’s state competition as the No. 1 overall seed in search the program’s first-ever state title of any kind, team or individual.

 

“We’re on a high,†Marshall said. “We’re going down there to bring home something more than we did last year.â€

 

nhubbard@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Hub_BHCSports | (276) 645-2543

Edited January 27, 2017 by Sommers

[WrestlingGod]

http://www.mopattonsports.com/summit-clinches-6-aaa-mats-title/

 

 

Summit clinches 6-AAA mats title

 

After winning the District 11-AAA regular-season wrestling championship, Summit added the Region 6-AAA tournament title Thursday night.

The host Spartans defeated Antioch 54-28 in the semifinals, then opened with four straight pins in an eventual 36-34 win over Independence in the finals.

“We have the philosophy that pins are contagious,†Summit coach Pete Miller said. “If we can get on a roll like that, good things can happen.â€

Starting at the 160-pound weight class, senior Kolby Desselle pinned Independence’s Jacob Oxford five seconds before the end of the first period. In succession, Scotty Demorest at 170, Sawyer Knott at 182 and Zack Carney added second-period pins to give the Spartans a 24-point advantage.

As quickly as Independence fell behind, though, the Eagles rallied. Isaiah Demello’s pin of Tanner Choate at 220 midway through the opening period sparked the district runners-up, and they followed with decisions by 285-pounder Chris Keller and 106-pounder Chase Bridgford before Gavin Schoeberl added a first-period pin of Brady Woodward at 113 to trim the Summit lead to 24-18 just past the halfway mark of the match.

“That was huge,†Eagles coach Jared Grindstaff said of Schoeberl’s outcome. “We got pinned there the last time (in a 45-30 loss on Jan. 10). This time, we got a pin. We had a good swing at 120 as well, losing by decision. We got pinned the last time.â€

Summit’s Logan Powers decisioned Elijah Demello 8-6 at 120, slowing the Independence roll, and 126-pounder Cole Klingensmith added a third-period pin of Daniel Fowler to extend the Spartan lead to 33-18. At 132, Nathan Porter decisioned Owen Schnedler 4-1 to give the hosts an 18-point lead with three matches remaining – meaning Independence would have to pin out to tie.

Zach Compton won a major decision over Miles Grady, 14-3 at 138, but the four-point team victory wasn’t enough to keep the Eagles’ hopes alive. Leading 36-22, Summit was able to forfeit the final two weight classes, at 145 and 152, and take the two-point team victory.

“We had kids that fought and got pins, kids that fought and didn’t get pinned,†Miller said. “We sent a freshman (Grady) out at 138, and he did a good job. In a dual match, things like that are the difference.â€

Both Summit and Independence – a 46-31 comeback winner over McGavock in the semifinals — advance to the Class AAA state duals, which begin Feb. 3 at the Williamson County Ag Expo.

It’s the second trip in three years for Summit, which made its first-ever appearance in the 16-team double-elimination tourney in 2015 and lost consecutive matches.

“We’re taking a group of hungry kids that have been there before,†Miller said. “They know what’s going to happen. They’re ready to go and finish. I have no doubt they’ll go as far as they want to go.

                “These seniors were eighth-graders when I first came out here. They’re the cornerstone of this program. They compete every chance they get. They’re ready this time.â€

Summit 36, Independence 34

160 — Kolby Desselle (S) p. Jacob Oxford, 1:55; 170 — Scotty Demorest (S) p. Ben House, 3:30; 182 — Sawyer Knott (S) p. Tristan Mayfield, 2:35; 195 — Zack Carney (S) p. Ian Grau, 3:19; 220 — Isaiah Demello (I) p. Tanner Choate, 1:00; 285 — Chris Keller (I) d. Jeremy Moody 8-2; 106 — Chase Bridgford (I) d. Zach Thomas 16-12; 113 — Gavin Schoeberl (I) p. Brady Woodward, 0:44; 120 — Logan Powers (S) d. Elijah Demello 8-6; 126 — Cole Klingensmith (S) p. Daniel Fowler, 5:02; 132 — Nathan Porter (S) d. Owen Schnedler 4-1; 138 — Zach Compton (I) md. Miles Grady 14-3; 145 — Brady Ingram (I) by forfeit; 152 — Hunter Miller (I) by forfeit.

[Sommers]

Congrats to Pete and crew over Indy!!!

 

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

 

Blackman wrestlers win region duals, headed to state...

 

http://www.dnj.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/01/27/blackman-wrestlers-win-region-duals-headed-state/97144228/

 

Pic

 

Blackman coach Ronnie Bray has led his Blaze to the Region 5 duals championship and a trip to the state duals meet next

 

File / Tom Kreager / USA Today Network - Tennessee

 

Cecil Joyce | USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee2:23 p.m. CT Jan. 27, 2017

 

The Blackman High wrestling team earned a trip to the TSSAA State Duals Championships next weekend after winning the Region 5 meet Thursday at Siegel High.

 

The Blaze defeated Tullahoma 45-25 in the finals after clinching a spot at state with a 44-33 triumph over Lawrence County in the semifinals.

 

Tullahoma defeated Stewarts Creek in the semifinals, eliminating the Red Hawks.

 

It's the fifth time in six years the Blaze have reached the state duals competition. Blackman won the region a year ago, defeating Siegel in the finals.

 

"We've had high expectations," said Blackman coach Ronnie Bray, whose squad improved to 24-3. "We've got good leaders. Out of the 16 teams (in Class AAA at state), we've seen everybody but two or three. We've traveled well."

 

The state duals championships will begin Friday at Williamson Ag and Expo Center in Franklin. The Class AAA round of 16 will begin at 5 p.m. Friday with championship quarterfinals at 7.

 

Consolation rounds will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. with championship semifinals starting at 1 p.m. The championship matches are set for 7 p.m.

 

 

MTSU to be Lane Kiffin's first Conference USA opponent

 

Blackman 45, Tullahoma 25

 

152: Landon Fowler ( def. Eli Dean (T) (Fall 0:53); 160: Matthew Sells ( def.  (T) (For.) 170: Ryan  Heath  ( def. Brenden Adkins (T) (Fall 0:29) 182: Spencer  Layne  ( def. Brian Nelms (T) (Fall 1:20) 195: Alex Pursley (T) def. ( (For.) 220: Dylan Heath ( def. Akil Hicks (T) (Dec 2-0) 285: Luke Champion (T) def. Jamil Hughes ( (Fall 1:20) 106: Cal Rogers (T) def. Evan Smart ( (TF 20-4 6:00) 113: Will Moran (T) def. Liam  Elam  ( (MD 13-3) 120: Luke Price (T) def. Wiley Van Voorst ( (MD 21-9) 126: Daniel Bradford ( def. (T) (For.) 132: Cole Lukens ( def. Sam Dean (T) (Fall 2:55) 138: Brooks Sacharczyk ( def. Aaron Kelly (T) (Dec 5-4) 145: Jalen Brown ( def. John Bonee (T) (Dec 7-1).

 

Semifinals

 

Blackman 44, Lawrence Co. 33

 

145: Jalen Brown ( def. Hunter Long (LC) (TF 21-4 5:46) 152: Landon Fowler ( def. Brett Ford (LC) (Fall 3:17) 160: Matthew Sells ( def. Carson Dubberly (LC) (Fall 3:27) 170: Ryan  Heath  ( def. Perry Russ (LC) (Fall 1:49) 182: Jacob Dubberly (LC) def. Spencer  Layne  ( (Fall 2:50) 195: Damion Gray (LC) def.   ( (For.) 220: Dylan Heath ( def. Jon Gerber (LC) (Fall 0:55) 285: Jamil Hughes ( def. Skyshun  Wiley (LC) (Fall 3:43) 106: Dominic  Williams (LC) def. Evan Smart ( (MD 9-0) 113: Liam  Elam  ( def. (LC) (For.) 120: Bailey Murphy (LC) def. Wiley Van Voorst ( (TF 15-0 3:23) 126: Daniel Bradford ( def. Luke Dezember (LC) (Dec 6-5) 132: Jacob Haney (LC) def. ( (For.) 138: Bailey Dycus (LC) def. ( (For.).

 

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

 

Gossett's Alcoa advances to state duals with ease...

 

http://m.thedailytimes.com/sports/alcoa-wrestling-advances-to-state-duals-with-ease/article_3a766289-6efd-551a-b5b7-91ef1fd67e6e.html?mode=jqm

 

_____________________________

 

Mr Hunt reports...

 

 

Cleveland, Bradley Wrestlers Advance To State Duals

 

The Chattanoogan

 

http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/1/26/340580/Cleveland-Bradley-Wrestlers-Advance.aspx

 

Friday, January 27, 201735.1°F 

 

Cleveland, Bradley Wrestlers Advance To State Duals

 

Blue Raiders Beat Soddy Daisy While Bears Maul Walker Valley

 

Thursday, January 26, 2017 - by John Hunt

 

EVENSVILLE – The top two high school wrestling teams in the state advanced to next weekend’s State Duals and they did so without wrestling a championship match here at Rhea County High School Thursday evening in the Region 4-AAA Duals.

 

Top-ranked and unbeaten Cleveland advanced with a 39-28 win over Soddy Daisy while the second-ranked Bears had no problem getting past Walker Valley in a 77-6 final.

 

Both of these two teams are heavily favored to meet for the third time next Saturday in the state finals, so there really wasn’t much point in meeting for the championship on Thursday.

 

“What we had to gain by wrestling this match was minimal and we’re both pretty beat up, so that extra week of rest will help,†said Bradley coach Ben Smith after the decision was made to bypass Thursday’s match.

 

“I don’t think there’s much question that we have the top two teams, so it was a mutual agreement by both teams to skip tonight’s match. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to wrestle next Saturday night in Franklin,†Smith added.

 

Cleveland’s first-year head coach Josh Bosken added similar feelings.

 

“Neither surrendered, but this isn’t the trophy we’re looking for. We both agreed that we’d be better off waiting until next week,†the bearded Bosken added.

 

The Soddy Daisy-Cleveland match started out close, but Cleveland came back strong after the Trojans had taken an 11-6 lead with three straight wins following a first-minute pin from Cleveland’s Jack Hicks in the opening match.

 

Ty Boeck won by technical fall at 220, Addison Roberts pulled out a 12-11 overtime win at 285 and Jacob Allen had a 5-2 decision at 106, but Garret Bowers helped the Blue Raiders regain the lead with a pin at 113 and Bryce Pond added to it with another fall at 120.

 

Soddy Daisy closed to 18-17 with a pin from Landon Wheaton at 126, but the Blue Raiders then won the next five matches, including pins from Colton Landers and Caleb Eachus plus decisions from Cody Mathews, Austin Sweeney and Zach Brezna for a substantial 39-16 lead with two matches remaining.

 

Soddy Daisy had lost a team point following an unsportsmanlike conduct call in the 152-pound match, but it didn’t matter as Cleveland forfeited the final two matches after the outcome had been determined.

 

It’s been a roller-coaster season for the Trojans and coach Jim Higgins, but he was feeling much better than he was last week when his team got embarrassed in a 59-6 loss to Bradley.

 

“The best team won tonight as they’re the most deserving and most talented team we’ve faced this year,†said Higgins after his team dropped to 17-4 with its second loss to Cleveland.

 

“I saw lots of effort from my guys and I’m not one to make excuses, but we also made a lot of technical errors that cost us. We’ve struggled with consistency all year, but I’m just hoping we learn from this experience. None of us ever like to lose, but they are the clear-cut best two teams in the state in any classification and both are headed to Franklin next weekend,†Higgins nodded.

 

Perhaps the best match between Cleveland and Soddy Daisy came at 285 when Seth Garcia bumped up a weight class to wrestle Soddy’s Addison Roberts.

 

Roberts broke from a 6-6 tie in the third period for an 11-6 lead with a takedown and three-point near-fall, but Garcia scored a reversal and his own three-point near-fall at the end to force overtime. Roberts was declared the winner after Garcia was penalized a point for stalling.

 

“That match at 285 didn’t go our way, but Seth handled it in a mature fashion. There’s always someone stepping up as we just focus on wrestling hard and having fun. We’ll get back to work on Monday, but I’m always pleased with the effort these guys give.

 

“It’s been a most-enjoyable first year of being the head coach I could have ever imagined, regardless of what happens after this,†Bosken concluded.

 

The Bradley-Walker Valley match was never close as the Bears came ready to wrestle.

 

Kevin Gentry, D.J. Gibson, Wesley Devaney, Trey Hicks, Ethan Anderson and Ryan McElhaney all had pins while Chris Cash and T.J. Hicks both received forfeits as Bradley had a 48-0 lead really quick.

 

Walker Valley’s only win came with a forfeit to Dillon Clark at 138 before Austin Mathews and Caleb Adkins both had pins for Bradley and Henley Headrick and Ed Elkins both received forfeits.

 

Knox Fuller was the only Bradley winner without a pin or a forfeit and he was impressive in a technical fall victory at 145.

 

Bradley’s Smith was pumped and his kids were ready to wrestle Cleveland for the third time, but they can wait nine more days for that next chance.

 

“That was solid,†Smith said following the win over the Mustangs.

 

“We just wanted to focus on doing our job and I felt like we did what we needed to do. We’re right where we need to be mentally, so now we can only sit and wait,†he said, Bradley’s match over long before the Cleveland match.

 

“I felt like it was time for us to rest some people and that’s why all of my regulars didn’t wrestle tonight,†said Walker Valley coach Allan Morris after his team dropped to 17-11 for the season.

 

“It really wouldn’t have mattered anyway, but we have the two best teams in the state in this region and I’m fully confident they will both do well next weekend,†Morris added.

 

Both semifinal matches started at 195 pounds on Thursday.

 

CLEVELAND 39, SODDY DAISY 28

 

106 – Jacob Allen (SD) dec. Garrett Stevenson, 5-2;

 

113 – Garret Bowers (Clev) pinned Cole Prestwood, 1:23;

 

120 – Bryce Pond (Clev) pinned Jacob Pratt, 5:27;

 

126 – Landon Wheaton (SD) pinned Jayce Mullin, 1:45;

 

132 – Colton Landers (Clev) pinned Jacob Kilgore, 3:15;

 

138 – Cody Mathews (Clev) dec. Slater Daniel, 10-4;

 

145 – Caleb Eachus (Clev) pinned Austin Crowe, 3:08;

 

152 – Austin Sweeney (Clev) dec. Tony Wilson, 5-2;

 

160 – Zach Brezna (Clev) dec. Cade Ghaffari, 9-3;

 

170 – Hayden Maynor (SD) won by forfeit;

 

182 – Bailey Faires (SD) won by forfeit;

 

195 – Jack Hicks (Clev) pinned Caleb Addison, :33;

 

220 – Ty Boeck (SD) won by technical fall over Logan Strickland, 5:30;

 

285 – Addison Roberts (SD) dec. Seth Garcia, 12-11 in overtime.

 

BRADLEY 77, WALKER VALLEY 6

 

106 – Wesley Devaney (BC) pinned Karson Huff, 2:51;

 

113 – T. J. Hicks (BC) won by forfeit;

 

120 – Trey Hicks (BC) pinned Mario Acevedo, :31;

 

126 – Ethan Anderson (BC) pinned Cameron Dwyer, 1:52;

 

132 – Ryan McElhaney (BC) pinned Ethan West, 1:02;

 

138 – Dillon Clark (WV) won by forfeit;

 

145 – Knox Fuller (BC) won by technical fall over Zeth Haynie, 5:30;

 

152 – Austin Mathews (BC) pinned Robert Varner, 3:06;

 

160 – Caleb Adkins (BC) pinned Tristan Mason, :40;

 

170 – Henley Headrick (BC) won by forfeit;

 

182 – Ed Elkins (BC) won by forfeit;

 

195 – Kevin Gentry (BC) pinned Skyler Swafford, 1:59;

 

220 – D.J. Gibson (BC) pinned Cody Duggan, 1:50;

 

285 – Chris Cash (BC) won by forfeit.

 

(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

Edited January 28, 2017 by Sommers