Wrestling Updates and Tidbits...

Sommers · July 15, 2017

Buzzy Mann's Hall of Fame coaching career is coming to an end at Dobyns-Bennett...

http://www.timesnews.net/Sports/2017/07/13/After-21-years-D-B-wrestling-coach-ready-to-nbsp-turn-the-page

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After 21 years, D-B wrestling coach ready to ‘turn the page’

BY STEVE WILMOTH TRICITIESSPORTS.COM • JUL 13, 2017 AT 9:45 PM

KINGSPORT — A Hall of Fame coaching career is coming to an end at Dobyns-Bennett.

Longtime wrestling coach Buzzy Mann announced this week he is stepping away from the mat after 31 years in coaching.

Mann’s career began as an assistant for one year at D-B before moving to Carson-Newman to complete a master’s degree and assist with the Eagles’ program.

From there, Mann coached football and softball at Roane County High School for a year before getting back into wrestling at Greeneville, where he was an assistant coach for three years and head coach for three years.

Mann returned to D-B in 1996, where he’s been head coach for the past 21 years.

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“It’s just time to turn the page, spend more time with my family and less time on the road,” said Mann, who will stay on as a teacher. “It’s been a great experience but it is with great anticipation that I begin a new chapter in my life.”

When Mann took over, the Tribe grapplers were practicing in a small corner of the school. Now the program has its own wrestling wing.

“My first day of practice, I was greeted by 12 male and five female wrestlers,” added Mann. “Because of the many dedicated coaches, wrestlers, parents, volunteers, and community support, we have been able to move Dobyns-Bennett wrestling to a new level.”

Along the way, Mann’s teams went 439-170-2 overall and 378-169-2 at D-B, including numerous conference, district and regional dual championships and produced numerous individual region champions and all-state wrestlers. The Indians made six state dual appearances under Mann.

In 2010, Mann was inducted into the Tennessee Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and in 2012 was inducted into the Carson-Newman University Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Buzzy Mann has served Dobyns-Bennett High School for 22 years at a high level,” said Dobyns-Bennett Athletic Director Larry Shively. “He has impacted hundreds of young men through his coaching career, and we are incredibly grateful for his leadership. Coach Mann grew our wrestling program tremendously during his tenure. We wish him the very best on the next chapter of his life.”

Additionally, Mann saw the expansion of the program into John Sevier and Robinson middle schools and was instrumental in launching an AAU program as well.

Under his watch, the Indian Classic Tournament has blossomed into a two-day event that regularly hosts 32-33 teams. The wrestling program has also partnered with the Kingsport Convention & Visitor’s Bureau for two decades to bring a pair of national events to Kingsport.

The AAU Spring Youth Nationals in March and the AAU Elementary National Duals in April are held annually at the Buck Van Huss Dome. Mann will continue to oversee each of those events for the next year.

“I am so proud to be a part of a team of servants who work diligently so 600-700 wrestlers from elementary and middle schools have the opportunity to compete with some of the best of the best,” Mann said. “Also these two tournaments and the Indian Classic generate very large revenue for our schools and our city. We truly are one Tribe and one Kingsport.”

Shively said a successor will be named very soon.

“I am hopeful the new coach will come in and take what we’ve done to an even higher level,” said Mann. “I wish the new coach nothing but the best.”

Sommers · July 16, 2017

Red Bank hires new wrestling coach

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/preps/story/2017/jul/14/wehunt-replaces-winesburgh-red-bank-wrestling/438276/

July 14th, 2017by Ward Gossettin Sports - PrepsRead Time: 1 min.

File (Feb. 10, 2017) – Red Bank's Zachary Gee, left, gains control over Whitwell's John King to post a 14-5 victory in the 132-pound weight class in the opening rounds of the Region A/AA wrestling tournament at Signal Mountain High School.

Photo by Tim Barber /Times Free Press.

Red Bank High School has hired Nathan Wehunt to coach its wrestling program.

Wehunt will continue as a faculty member at Notre Dame as he undertakes his first job as a head coach, pending Hamilton County Department of Education approval.

"I remember him. He was always really professional," said Red Bank assistant principal Wendell Weathers, who was a wrestling coach before entering administration. "Notre Dame wrestling always represented itself well, and he was part of the reason for that."

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Wehunt replaces Ulric Winesburgh, who has taken a full-time teaching and coaching position at Alcovy High in Covington, Ga.

"Ulric did a good job for us, but he needed a full-time job and we didn't have anything," Weathers said. "It was economics for him and teaching-position issues for us. We'd love to have been able to keep him, and I want people to know he left with our highest regard."

Red Bank represents an opportunity Wehunt has long desired.

"I have wanted to be a head coach for years," he said. "The opportunity to coach a good high school team in Chattanooga is great, and I'm excited about the opportunity to mentor young men."

Wehunt said he sees Red Bank as a school with a great tradition and also as a school on the rise.

"This is a great opportunity," he declared. "(Red Bank athletic director) Mandi Munn has a son on the team, and her husband is coaching at the middle school. The facilities are top-notch and there is tremendous potential."

A University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate, Wehunt played football and wrestled at Notre Dame. Since he departed UTC, he has worked at James Madison as an assistant strength coach (specifically with the wrestling, swimming, soccer and basketball teams) and spent 13 months in Bahrain, setting up conditioning and training programs for both the army and police departments while working for that country's interior ministry.

He has a master's degree in secondary education.

"Nathan is like a gift that walked up to our door," Weathers said.

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

_________________

Coach Mark Gonyea has moved into administration and takes on a new role as Rutherford Co. Athletics Safety oversight (wrestling and soccer)...

http://www.dnj.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/07/11/rutherford-county-schools-create-safety-coach-positions/466746001/

Pass.

Wyant, former head football coach of the Stars, will oversee football, swimming and track.

"This is just another step in protecting the athletes in the county," said Wyant. "Most coaches are doing the right thing already. Hopefully people wont see us as 'gotcha' people trying to catch you doing something wrong."

Gonyea, former Stewarts Creek wrestling coach, will oversee wrestling and soccer. Stoker will oversee basketball, cross country and volleyball. Pass will oversee softball and baseball and help with football. Atkin will will oversee cheerleading.

As of now there are no coaches overseeing golf, bowling or tennis.

All five will continue their roles at their respective schools and the safety coach position will be supplemented, such as athletic coaches are.

Safety coaches, who have learned and will continue to learn and train in safety, will primarily be responsible for giving guidance and answering questions and help educate safety, particularly with younger and/or more inexperienced coaches.

They will also help regulate rules that are already in place to ensure safety. No new rules have been implemented.

Former Stewarts Creek wrestling coach and current Smyrna Primary assistant principal Mark Gonyea ...more

File

"We have a lot of good coaches in Rutherford County — we're lucky," Tackett said. "We encourage safety coaches to not only give their input, but also learn from some of the more experienced coaches, so that they can pass that along to others.

"There are some young, inexperienced coaches, especially at the middle school level. There's a huge turnover. Sports safety has changed a lot over the years."

Part of the concept was taken from USA Football, which developed the same plan for football safety coaches.

"We thought, 'Why don't we expand this to all sports,'" Tackett said.

The primary change that accompanies the safety coaches is a new county policy where athletes must submit paperwork in the Dragonfly Max app, including medical records, physical forms, etc.

"It's a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) secure site," Wyant said. "Hopefully it will help us head (injuries) off better."

Added Tackett, "Trainers and coaches will have info online of all the players. It's a far better way to track injuries."

The safety coaches will continue studying things such as equipment, field conditions, heat and conditioning. Studying and trying to prevent injuries such as concussions will be a priority.

With the concept being in its infancy stage, there will be some learning curve.

"We can't be perfect," said Tackett. "We want the opportunity to make it the best we can. It's a work in progress. After the first month, first three months, etc., we will look back and evaluate.

"We want to be flexible enough to change as we go. We'll ask athletic directors and coaches to help in the process."

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

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

Trent Knight to Fargo...

http://www.greenevillesun.com/sports/big-summer-has-greeneville-s-trent-knight-wrestling-for-national/article_60025ff7-4dea-5706-927a-c107f4dbfd51.html

Big Summer Has Greeneville's Trent Knight Wrestling For National Championship

By Tate Russell Sun Sports Writer Jul 13, 2017 0

In this file photo from February, Greeneville’s Trent Knight is pictured after winning the Class A/AA 170 lb. title at the TSSAA Individual Wrestling State Championships in Franklin. In the upcoming week, Knight will wrestle at the Marine Corps Cadet and Junior National Tournament in Fargo, N.D.

Sun Photo By Tate Russell

This past February, Greeneville High School student-athlete Trent Knight won the 170 lb. state championship at the TSSAA Class A/AA individual wresting tournament in Franklin.

Most high school sophomores would have been content with that, calling it a good year.

For Knight, though, it was just the beginning of his season.

Once the high school season was over, he went on to win two more state championships, then a Southeast Regional title. And now, this weekend, he is traveling to Fargo, North Dakota, for the U.S. Marine Corps Cadet and Junior Nationals – one of the most prestigious high school tournaments in the nation.

“I’m really excited and I’m nervous at the same time,” Knight said. “I’m not really sure what to expect at this point. It will be a lot different from wrestling in Tennessee.

“For sure, this is the biggest tournament I’ve wrestled in. My goal is to go up there and do my best against these wrestlers from states that usually have really good wrestling. I just want to represent Tennessee the best I can.”

Knight qualified for the national tournament in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle categories by placing first and third, respectively, at the Southeast Regionals in Atlanta at the end of May.

This summer is the first time Knight has wrestled in Greco-Roman tournaments and at the regional he marched through his bracket at 182 lbs. with a pin and two technical falls to claim the tournament title. He knocked off top tier wrestlers from North Carolina, Georgia and Illinois to win. In the championship match he defeated Ernest Moore of Illinois 12-2.

“That felt great to come away with a win. I went into it a little nervous because this is my first year wrestling Greco-Roman style, but I started getting a little bit more confident in myself and got on a roll to win it,” Knight said. “It felt great to be able to have this success in my first year trying (Greco-Roman). I guess it made me feel like more of an athlete than I thought I was before.”

Greco-Roman differs from freestyle or folkstyle – the style used in high school and collegiate wrestling – in that it involves only upper body moves with throwing the preferred way to best an opponent compared to diving or shooting. That style plays to Knight’s strengths as a grappler and Greeneville High coach Randy Shelton thinks it fits him perfectly.

“Usually kids will choose one style or the other and that will become their favorite,” Shelton said. “Greco is all upper body. You can’t touch a kid below the waist. Freestyle is more similar to what you see at the high school level but more free scoring.”

“At the high school level he has some good shots, but has some great throws and that translates straight into Greco-Roman wrestling. He is still very good at freestyle, he qualified for nationals in that as well, but in high school he won a lot of matches with a little head throw and that is perfect for Greco-Roman.”

Knight placed third at the regional in the freestyle tournament and won state championships in both freestyle and Greco-Roman in early May. Shelton was quick to give a lot of credit to Greeneville High assistant wrestling coach Justin Myers for getting Knight ready for these big tournaments after his high school season culminated with the state championship.

“It’s awesome to see Trent keep working for bigger things,” Shelton said. “Our assistant coach Justin Myers has been working with him a ton. He is a great coach and I love seeing him run with this as a coach and help him toward these big goals.”

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Haynie was concerned that some quality wrestlers were going to head to Walker Valley and Cleveland with McMinn's coaching situation still in limbo.

"I had a talk with (McMinn County Director of Schools) Mr. (Mickey) Blevins about it, and it was good to bring back David to keep these kids in the fold," Haynie said.

Assistant Bill Wyrick, who has been at Stoika's side the last few years, will also return to the coaches' bench.

With Stoika's return, all open head coaching spots at McMinn have now been filled for the coming school year.

"We have everybody in place," Haynie said. "That's good because I was worried we wouldn't before the school year started."

Edited July 20, 2017 by Sommers

Sommers · July 20, 2017

http://gomocs.com/news/2017/7/19/wrestling-evans-takes-fourth-at-junior-nationals.aspx

Evans Takes Fourth at Junior Nationals

Incoming freshman placed at on the top summer events in the nation.

Jul. 19, 2017 Wrestling

Incoming University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshman Sammy Evans took fourth place at the 2017 US Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D., this week. Evans is a four-time high school All-American from Alcoa (Tenn.) High School.

"We are excited for Sammy and the success he has had over the summer," stated head coach Heath EslingerEvans is a four-time Tennessee high school state champion and ranked No. 18 in the Intermat Top-20 for 285 pounds. He is projected to be a heavyweight at the collegiate level.

Edited July 20, 2017 by Sommers
Update

Sommers · July 20, 2017

http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/7/20/351715/Bosken-Named-Head-Coach-Of-Higher.aspx

Bosken Named Head Coach Of Higher Calling Wrestling Club

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Josh Bosken

The Higher Calling Youth Wrestling Club of Cleveland announced this week that Josh Bosken has been named as the club’s new head coach.

Bosken previously served as head coach of the Cleveland High School Blue Raiders wrestling team and has been involved with the high school and middle school wrestling programs at Cleveland since 2007.

“I’m thankful for the time I spent at Cleveland High and it was a great experience for me, but this is right move for my family,” Bosken said. “This is a tremendous opportunity because I have gone through the process from the bottom to the top and understand the importance of a stable and successful youth program. I look forward to the process of seeking out Cleveland High Schools next batch of State Champions.”

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

Bosken and his wife, Sadi, recently celebrated the birth of twins Kennedy and Kate. The family already had two previous children, Zac and Zane.

Chad Laxton, Higher Calling’s President, said it was a strategic move for the club to be trusted to Bosken.

“Josh is a proven winner who has helped coach 54 state medalists and nine state champions, plus contributing to six state championship teams,” said Laxton. “He has

played a role in all three phases of the program - middle school, high school and Higher Calling. He understands how important each phase is and we are thankful for what he will mean to Higher Calling.”

Higher Calling received national attention in April when the Allan Jones Foundation auctioned off a King Ranch F-150 4X4 pickup autographed twice by President George W. Bush. The majority of the proceeds from the auction went to Higher Calling.

Jones said Bosken is largely responsible for the success of the Cleveland High program and noted that Bosken had served as Higher Calling coach from 2009 to 2016.

“When he was coach of the kids club, Josh guided his wrestlers win state titles three times – and historically more than doubled all the other state scores!” Jones said.

Jones said winning is a three-pronged approach.

“It includes the high school head coach, the middle school head coach, and the kids club coach,” said Jones. “The kids club coach is the most important, because he is the one who gets the kids interested and teaches them about the joy of winning.”

Bosken offered a special thanks to the Foundation and to the Jones companies like Check Into Cash that have supported the club.

“Check Into Cash has done more for these kids than we ever thought possible,” Bosken said. “Allan Jones has said many times that Higher Calling is important because the wrestlers develop a love for the sport and build a strong work ethic that will carry them through life. He also appreciates that we strive to teach young athletes moral character and good sportsmanship. Winning starts at this level.”

Toby Pendergrass, director of the foundation, agreed with Bosken.

“If there is a state championship won in wrestling, the Allan Jones Foundation wants it to be one of our three schools – and it all starts with the Kids Club,” said Pendergrass.

Upon learning that he had been named head coach, Bosken said, “I am well aware of the expectations Higher Calling has, and I am ready to work restlessly to assure that they are met. The best is yet to come – we are breeding future champions!”

Sommers · July 21, 2017

Dobbin Bennett's high school and I hear possibly Whitwell getting new coaches...

http://www.wcyb.com/sports/area-high-schools/dobyns-bennett-high-school-names-wrestling-head-coach/590499710

News 5

Dobyns-Bennett High School Names Wrestling Head Coach

KINGSPORT, Tenn. -

Kingsport City Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Wesley Idlette as the head coach of the wrestling program at Dobyns-Bennett High School, effective immediately.

“We are excited about Wesley serving as our new D-B Wrestling Head Coach. Coach Idlette provides the right mixture of experience, enthusiasm, and vision to lead our student athletes in Kingsport,” said KCS Director of Athletics and Activities Larry Shively. “He presented a wonderful vision to grow our wrestling program from the middle school level up to Dobyns-Bennett. Wes is a tireless worker who loves the sport of wrestling, but more importantly, coaches for the right reasons. He will continue to develop our wrestling program that grew tremendously under Coach Mann. We look forward to this next chapter.”

Idlette is a native of Chattanooga where he attended Baylor High School and was a star athlete. In 2007- 2008, he was ranked number one in the 160 pound category in wrestling for Division II, 2008 state runner-up at 160 pounds and helped lead his wrestling team to four State Championships – three duals and one traditional. In track, Idlette was the 2007 All State triple jumper, 2007 state runner-up in the decathlon, 2008 state runner-up in the 110 meter hurdles and 2008 champion in the 300 meter hurdles.

While attending Maryville College, Idlette was an All-Conference wide receiver in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, a Division III Pre-Season All-American wide receiver in 2010 and 2011 and holds the Maryville College All-Time career lead in receptions, touchdowns and yardage. In addition, he was also an Academic All-American in 2011 and 2012.

"I am humbled and grateful for this leadership opportunity,” said Coach Idlette. “I look forward to developing character in our athletes through the sport of wrestling and am proud to be a part of the rich tradition of strong athletic programs at Dobyns-Bennett."

Idlette has been teaching Physical Education at Andrew Johnson Elementary School since 2012 where he developed and implemented comprehensive physical education curriculum for students such as FLYING Youth Development Program (created 2015) and sponsoring Girls on the Run since 2012. In addition, Idlette coaches football at Sevier Middle School (since 2012), coaches wrestling at Sevier (since 2013) and was assistant head coach for the Indian Springs Warrior Wrestling AAU program for two years. Most recently, Idlette has become a track coach at Dobyns-Bennett High School.

Idlette earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in Health and Physical Education, from Maryville College. He was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society and listed as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

He is a member and Sunday school teacher at First Broad Street United Methodist Church. He and his wife Chrissy and their daughters, reside in Kingsport.

Kingsport City Schools Release