Wrestling Updates and Tidbits...

[Sommers]

 

Rossview comes back to defeat Clarksville in D12-AAA Wrestling Championship match

• ALEX ALLARD sports@mainstreetmediatn.com
•  
  • Jan 26, 2021 Updated Jan 26, 2021
  •  

1 of 21

 

Zachariah Loreant places a chokehold on Niko Gottlick.

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West Creek head coach Christopher Carbin meets with his team prior to their District match against Rossview.

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Knights’ head coach Tyler Little speaks with freshman Frederick Ellis prior to their match versus Clarksville.

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Kenwood’s Damion Garland sizes up senior Malachi Robinson in a match.

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Anthony Bracero pins down West Creek’s Mason Fierge during their first match of the evening. 

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Kenwood’s Noah Taylor sizes up Clarksville’s Deago Buck.

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Noah Taylor contests an attempted chokehold from Deago Buck.

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Frederick Ellis waits to break free from Kyelar Edwards.

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Zachary Duessler attempts to keep West Creek’s Ayden Andalen on the ground.

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Jonathan Cook stays in control in a match over Rossview’s Ashton Chavis.

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Koen Ploeckelman stands beside Clarksville coach Tommy Badon during a timeout.

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Landon Olson is thrown to the mat by Rossview’s Zachariah Loreant.

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Clarksville wrestling seniors Malachi Robinson, Matthew Seber, Kyelar Edwards, Dawn Evans and Brielle Bisonette were honored prior to the boys’ dual championship match against Rossview. 

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Julian Bershear fights off Aidan Brenot in a District 12-AAA Championship match. 

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Rossview’s Jordan Mussara looks up at the clock in a match against Michael Bisonette.

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A bloodied Houston Brown spars with his opponent.

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Deago Buck is held on the floor by Rossview’s Ruben Avalos.

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Gary Cheeseman attempts to crawl away from Jace Powell.

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Ashton Chavis stares down Kyelar Edwards.

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Hawks head coach Jeff Price and company celebrate their District 12-AAA championship over Clarksville. 

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Rossview poses as dual wrestling champions of District 12-AAA.

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After cruising past West Creek in the semifinals, the Rossview Hawks knocked off the defending champion Clarksville Wildcats in their own gym to take home the District 12-AAA title on Tuesday night.

Both Rossview and Clarksville were able to knock off their opposition fairly handedly in their semifinal matchups. The Hawks defeated the Coyotes 66-15, while CHS took down Kenwood by a score of 75-6. 

The finals were a final different story, however.

CHS held a 14-0 advantage over the Hawks after the first three matches. Three additional matches and one unsportsmanlike misconduct later, RHS took their first lead of the championship round and held a two-point, 15-13 lead over the defending district champions.

After having one point deducted due to the unsportsmanlike misconduct, the Wildcats’ Konnor Roach was disqualified later in the match due to a flagrant called on him. This resulted in three additional points being deducted from CHS’ score and gave the Hawks a 28-26 lead with just two matches remaining.

In a thrilling final match, RHS’ Jeb Burchett was able to hold off the Wildcats’ Malachi Robinson to claim the Hawks first district championship since 2018.

Head coach Jeff Price was excited about victory and his team's overall performance, but says they have expected this result since before the season even began.

“We know who we are,” Price said. “This is what we expected from day one of this season. This is what we expected three years ago when we won the district. The past two years we have beaten Clarksville in the regular season and then lost to them in the districts. This year for the first time, we took a step back and said this is the match we are going to win and not focus on the regular season as much.”

Following the loss, Wildcats head coach Tommy Badon spoke to his team in a corner of the William Workman Gymnasium for an extensive period of time. During that time, he told his players that it is how you win or lose that is more important than the win or loss itself.

“Losing sucks, but what is more important is how you do it,” Badon said. “I had some guys who did an incredible job in this match but, while this is an individual sport, it is also a team sport and if everyone doesn’t perform and behave exceptionally then everyone is viewed as the least common denominator as a team. Even though we had some wonderful effort in that last match, [Malachi Robinson] gave everything he had and was so upset because he couldn’t do it for his team. He is such a wonderful example of what sports and competition is all about, but that is overlooked because of what two of his teammates did. That is what I was communicating to them [after the loss].”

 

Rossview will advance to the region tournament to play on Jan. 28, while CHS will take on Wilson Central in their next match.

SEMIFINAL RESULTS

WEST CREEK (12) VS ROSSVIEW (66)

145 CLASS-  Julian Bershear (RHS) def Devin Otero (WC)

152 CLASS- Mason Fierge (WC) def Anthony Bracero (RHS)

160 CLASS-  Jordan Musarra (RHS) def Joshua Ward (WC)

170 CLASS- Houston Brown (RHS) def Gabriel Vandiver (WC)

132 CLASS- Duston Chavis (RHS) wins off FF

195 CLASS- Zachary Duessler (RHS) def Ayden Andalen (WC)

220 CLASS- Gary Chessman (RHS) def Chris Carbin (WC)

285 CLASS- Jonathan Cook (WC) def Ashton Chavis (RHS)

106 CLASS- Davion Wheeler (RHS) def Jason Scorpio (WC)

113 CLASS- Ben Mayberry (RHS) def Aidan Renken (WC)

120 CLASS- Zachariah Loreant (RHS) def Landon Olson (WC)

126 CLASS- Bryce Woemer (RHS) def Cael Crume (WC)

 

132 CLASS- Samuel Shires (RHS) def Dylyn Hussey (WC)

138 CLASS- Nathaniel Gonzalez (WC) def Spencer Porter (RHS)

SEMIFINAL RESULTS

CLARKSVILLE (75) VS KENWOOD (6)

145 CLASS-  Malachi Robinson (CHS) def Damion Garland (KHS)

 

152 CLASS-  Aidan Brenot (CHS) def Aden Taylor (KHS)

160 CLASS-  Matthew Seeber (CHS) def Rodney Sayis (KHS)

170 CLASS- Michael Bissonett (CHS) def Justin Johnson (KHS)

182 CLASS- Deago Buck (CHS) def Noah Taylor (KHS)

195 CLASS- Tyler Lowell (KHS) def Timothy Freeland (CHS)

220 CLASS- Kylar Edwards (CHS)def Fredrick Ellis (KHS)

285 CLASS-  Zyrion Elliott (CHS) def Dagoberto Rodriguez (KHS)

106 CLASS- Koen Ploeckelman (CHS) def Jimmy Fendley (KHS)

113 CLASS- Devin Lozdoski (CHS) def Nathan Spuill (KHS)

120 CLASS-  Niko Gottlick (CHS) def Ja’Kobi Moore (KHS)

 

126 CLASS-  Konnor Roach (CHS) def Emmanuel Millan (KHS)

132 CLASS- Camden Stahley (CHS) def Justin Johnson (KHS)

138 CLASS-  Aiden Johnson (CHS) wins off FF

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

CLARKSVILLE (26) ROSSVIEW (34)

152 CLASS-  Aidan Brenot (CHS) def Julian Bershear (RHS)

160 CLASS- Michael Bissonett (CHS) def Jordan Musarra (RHS)

170 CLASS- Matthew Seeber (CHS) def Houston Brown (RHS)

182 CLASS- Zachary Duessler (RHS) def Memphis Smith (CHS) 

195 CLASS- Ruben Avalos (RHS) def Deago Buck (CHS)

220 CLASS- Gary Cheesman (RHS) def Jace Powell (CHS)

285 CLASS- Kylar Edwards (CHS) def Ashton Chavis (RHS)

106 CLASS- Koen Ploeckelman (CHS) def Davion Wheeler (RHS)

113 CLASS- Devin Lozdoski (CHS) def Ben Mayberry (RHS)

120 CLASS- Zachariah Loreant (RHS) def Niko Gottlick (CHS)

 

126 CLASS-  Jacob Miller (RHS) def  Konnor Roach (DQ) (CHS)

132 CLASS- Bryce Woemer (RHS) def Camden Stahley (CHS)

138 CLASS- Samuel Shires (RHS) def Aiden Johnson (CHS)

145 CLASS-  Jeb Burchett (RHS) def Malachi Robinson (CHS)

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[Sommers]

Our neighbors to the South including several teams we all know...

GHSA Team Duals Wrestling Championship Preview

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS BLOG| Jan 28, 2021

By Craig Sager II

 

The Team Dual Wrestling Championships will be held at seven separate host sites this year and the brackets are loaded with the state’s most accomplished programs.

This is certainly the case in Georgia’s highest classification where four-time defending dual state champion Camden County will be represented as the No. 1 seed. Last year’s runner-up Collins Hill failed to qualify for the prelims out of a stacked Region 8 that includes region champion Mountain View—which was topped by Camden County in last year’s tournament. West Forsyth was also defeated by the Wildcats last year, but will not be in Camden County’s path until the finals after securing the No. 2 seed after a successful run in the prelims.

Defending Class 6A state champion Pope was ousted in the prelims following a thrilling 39-38 Dalton victory. Richmond Hill—which was defeated by Pope in last year’s finals 30-24 earned the No. 2 seed. Alexander avenged last year’s 33-28 loss to Cambridge in the championship tournament by topping the Bears 39-21 last weekend and earning the No. 1 seed in the process.

Woodland-Bartow cruised past the competition last year to clinch its second-straight Class 5A dual state title, but will have to defend its crown against a championship field that includes reigning Class 4A champion Woodward Academy—which joined the classification following the latest reclassification cycle. The War Eagles will be the No. 2 seed behind top-seeded Woodland-Bartow—setting up for a potential battle of defending champs in the finals.

ON A MISSION

Woodward Academy departed from Class 4A, but Jefferson moved in and will be the No. 1 seed this weekend. The Dragons have previously won 18 dual state titles in their history and appear to be in championship form after cruising past Fayette County (84-0) and Pickens (66-13) in convincing fashion in the prelims. The Dragons’ top opposition could be No. 2 seeded Perry, which was topped by Gilmer 36-31 in last year’s championships.

Gilmer has since moved down to Class 3A and will be the No. 3 seed behind No. 2 Rockmart and No. 1 seed North Hall. Last year’s runner-up Sonoraville is the No. 5 seed and will take on No. 4 seed Adairsville in the first round. North Hall, which topped Sonoraville 49-18 in last year’s finals to win its second dual title in the last three years, is coming off its massive 70-12 victory over Oconee County in the prelims.

Defending Class 2A champion Chattooga failed to qualify for the prelims out of Region 7 and last year’s runner-up Social Circle will now be represented in the Class A field. As a result, six of the eight teams in the Class 2A championship tournament will be looking to win first-ever titles—including No. 1 seed Oglethorpe County, No. 2 seed Dade County and No. 3 seeded Vidalia.

In Class A, defending state champion Trion is back as the No. 1 seed. The Bulldogs scored a 46-25 win over Commerce in last year’s finals to capture the program’s first-ever title. Commerce is back as the No. 4 seed, Social Circle is the No. 3 seed and Mt. Pisgah is the No. 2 seed. Mt. Pisgah ran into Trion in last year’s semifinals and was defeated 42-22. Trion made swift work of the competition in the prelims—including an 84-0 win over Athens Christian in its latest triumph.

[Sommers]

This is it... 16 man (girl) brackets or less...

Too late for change...

While the governor has lifted the restrictions on the general public attending contests, the TSSAA guidelines that were developed in consultation with the governor regarding masks, temperature checks, social distancing and recommended capacities remain in effect.  Long before the governor's latest Executive Order we began exploring a number of options for the state wrestling championships.  Unfortunately, we were not able to secure a venue that could accommodate the number of competitors (872) and coaches (500+) that would enable all divisions to compete under one roof at the same time.  An arena would be the only type of venue that would be big enough for us to make it work with current capacity restrictions, but we were not able to find an arena that was available or willing to host an event of this nature.  Farming each division out to schools was not a realistic option as we have found that the most school systems are very hesitant to bring multiple teams into their facilities. Fortunately, we were able to secure the Chattanooga Convention Center for this event.  However, in order to accommodate all 4 divisions over the 3 day window we have the facility, each division must complete its tournament in one day.  (Division II and Girls will compete on the same day since they only have 8 person brackets).  It is not possible to complete a tournament with more than 16 wrestlers in one weight class without having some wrestlers exceed the maximum number of matches (6) a wrestler is permitted to have in one day.  As a result, we had to cut the 32 man bracket down to 16.

from someone in tssaa admin

[Sommers]

Tennessee HS Wrestling Coaches Poll for week of Feb. 1

• STAFF REPORTS sports@mainstreetmediatn.com
•  
  • Feb 1, 2021

 

No. 3 Wilson Central qualified for the state duals after Blackman was forced to forfeit in the sectionals.

The Tennessee High School Wrestling Coaches Poll saw few changes heading into the TSSAA Dual Championships, set for this Saturday, Feb. 6 in Williamson County.

No. 1 Baylor, No. 2 Cleveland, No. 3 Wilson Central, No. 4 Christian Brothers and No. 5 Bradley Central all continued to occupy the top five spots.

Other ranked Nashville-area teams include No. 6 Father Ryan, No. 7 Summit, No 8. Oakland and No. 11 Blackman.

The dual championships will be held across four schools – Mill Creek Middle, Centennial High, Independence High and Nolensville High – all in one day. Fairview qualified for the Class A-AA tournament, Oakland, Summit and Wilson Central will compete in Class AAA and Father Ryan and MBA will vie for a title in the four-team Division II bracket.

The poll is primarily a measure of dual meet strength with some consideration to individual tournament strength. Votes are cast by a statewide panel of high school wrestling coaches and are based on a maximum power ranking of 144 points.

Below is the full list. Each school’s power ranking is followed by last week’s ranking in parentheses.

1. Baylor 141 (1)

2. Cleveland 132 (2)

3. Wilson Central 120 (3)

4. Christian Brothers 109 (4)

5. Bradley Central 94 (5)

6. Father Ryan 74 (7)

7. Summit 54 (9)

TIE. Oakland 54 (11)

9. Pigeon Forge 54 (10)

10. McCallie 37 (8)

11. Blackman 36 (11)

12. Science Hill 20 (12)

Also receiving votes: Dobyns-Bennett, Fairview, MBA

Central enters TSSAA duals 29-0

• Tommy Bryan tbryan@wilsonpost.com
•  
  • Feb 3, 2021 Updated 18 hrs ago

 

The 2020-2021 Wilson Central wrestlers sport a record of 29-0 headed into Saturday's TSSAA Duals. 

 

Four-time state runner-up -

Sporting a roster with just four seniors, Coach John Kramer's Wilson Central wrestling team is primed for success Saturday at the 2021 TSSAA Class AAA State Dual Wrestling Championships.

With the Williamson County Expo Center unavailable this year sue to its' use as a COVID-19 testing center, the Wildcats will wrestle at Centennial High, taking on Bradley Central in Saturday's 12 p.m. quarterfinal match.

Standing 29-0 following back-to-back forfeits from Blackman in the TSSAA Sectional and Beech in the Region 6 finals, Wilson Central should be well-rested for a long day of wrestling.

The winner of the Central versus Bradley match will take on the winner of Science Hill versus Collierville at 2 p.m. in the semifinals.

The Class AAA championship match will start at 5:30 p.m. at Independence High against either Oakland, Summit, Dobyns Bennett or Cleveland High.

Here's the Wilson Central line-up for Saturday.

106 Paul Johnson, 24-3, freshman;

113 Nick Mercante, 29-2, sophomore;

120 Hunter Borders, 29-0, senior;

126 Conor Warnock, 27-5, sophomore;

132 Avery Warnock, 27-3, senior;

138 Riley Fort, 27-3, sophomore;

145 Cole Fort, 30-1, senior;

152 Steven Fisak, 28-3, junior;

160 Samuel Griggs, 27-5, freshman;

170 Brady Jarvis, 24-6 junior;

182 Matthew Hills, 25-3, junior;

195 Conor Staggs, 11-8, junior;

220 Noah Todd, 26-3, sophomore and

285 Jesse Richardson, 19-2, senior.

 

2020 finish -- Wilson Central placed second in the 2020 Dual Tournament, winning three matches handily before falling to Cleveland 43-18 in the championship match. WCHS has finished second in the state duals four times.

Milestone -- Wilson Central wrestling coach John Kramer is on the threshold of a career milestone. He enters Saturday's tournament with 699 wins -- just one shy of 700 dual match wins in a career.

Ticketing -- Limited tickets will be available and sold via private GoFan links sent directly to participating schools.

Family members of participating wrestlers will need to contact their school to purchase tickets. No tickets will be sold to the public.

TSSAA Championship Event Cards, TACA cards, TSSAA ID cards and TMSAA ID cards will not be accepted.

Parking -- Parking fees may be collected at certain sites at the rate of $5 per vehicle per day (cash only).

Concessions -- Concession stands and vendors will sell food. All school venues are handicap accessible.

State Coaches Poll -- The Tennessee High School Wrestling Coaches Poll saw few changes heading into the TSSAA Dual Championships.

No. 1 Baylor, No. 2 Cleveland, No. 3 Wilson Central, No. 4 Christian Brothers and No. 5 Bradley Central all continued to occupy the top five spots.

Other ranked Middle Tennessee teams include No. 6 Father Ryan, No. 7 Summit, No 8. Oakland and No. 11 Blackman.

The dual championships will be held across four schools – Mill Creek Middle, Centennial High, Independence High and Nolensville High – all in one day.

Fairview qualified for the Class A-AA tournament, and Father Ryan and MBA will vie for a title in the four-team Division II bracket.

The poll is primarily a measure of dual meet strength with some consideration to individual tournament strength.

Votes are cast by a statewide panel of high school wrestling coaches and are based on a maximum power ranking of 144 points.Four-time state runner-up -

Sporting a roster with just four seniors, Coach John Kramer's Wilson Central wrestling team is primed for success Saturday at the 2021 TSSAA Class AAA State Dual Wrestling Championships.

With the Williamson County Expo Center unavailable this year sue to its' use as a COVID-19 testing center, the Wildcats will wrestle at Centennial High, taking on Bradley Central in Saturday's 12 p.m. quarterfinal match.

Standing 29-0 following back-to-back forfeits from Blackman in the TSSAA Sectional and Beech in the Region 6 finals, Wilson Central should be well-rested for a long day of wrestling.

The winner of the Central versus Bradley match will take on the winner of Science Hill versus Collierville at 2 p.m. in the semifinals.

The Class AAA championship match will start at 5:30 p.m. at Independence High against either Oakland, Summit, Dobyns Bennett or Cleveland High.

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Hixson Wrestlers Win Fourth Straight Region Title

Wildcats Claim Eight Champs And 13 Qualifiers For State In Two Weeks

Thursday, February 4, 2021 - by John Hunt

The Hixson Wildcats didn’t perform up to the level coach Garrick Hall had wanted, but it was good enough to win their fourth straight Region 2-A/AA wrestling tournament at Alcoa High School Thursday evening.

Hall had some really lofty goals for his team, like scoring more than 265 points, coming home with more than nine champions and qualifying all 14 individuals for the state tournament in two weeks.

The Wildcats were close as they won with 224.5 points, they had eight individual winners and 13 of 14 earned a spot in the tournament that will be held at the Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center in two weeks on Feb. 18.

“I’m always happy when we win, but I didn’t think we looked very good,” said Hall while driving back home Thursday night.

“We had some kids who stepped up while others got upset.  We had young kids wrestling like young kids, but our lack of matches really hurt today.  We were facing some teams that hadn’t been shut down.  We’ll go back to work tomorrow in hope of fixing some things before the state duals on Saturday.

“We just hope to win a match on Saturday.  I’m proud of my guys for what they did today, but I’m not pleased and I’m definitely not satisfied.  Even some of our older and more experienced kids looked sloppy, but that was from lack of mat time.

“I’m glad to get this tournament behind us and we can still wrestle in two weeks, no matter what.  I’m sorry that we didn’t get all 14 qualified, but I’m happy for the ones who are.  We’ll see what happens in two weeks,” Hall added.

While Hixson was all alone in first place with 224.5 points, Polk County was a distant second with 113.  Greenback was third with 102 while Sale Creek and Cumberland County were fourth and fifth with 65 and 64 points, respectively.

The rest of the field included Upperman with 60, Alcoa with 53, Central with 51, Tyner 33 and Livingston Academy with 21.

Hixson had eight champions while Polk County had two.  Central, Tyner, Greenback and Alcoa had one each.

Hixson’s eight included Trevor Lewis, who had a first-period pin to win at 126 pounds and claim his fourth straight region title.  Parrish Pacetti did the same at 220 to claim his second region crown.

Other champs for the Wildcats included JuJuan McCrary at 106, Caleb Miller at 132, Jonas Vandergriff at 152, Kobie Smith at 160, Logan Woodall at 195 and Landon Moore at 285.

Polk’s winners included Oleksaudr Warner at 145 and Kylar Chadwick at 170.

Cory Manuel was Greenback’s winner at 113 while Gordon McCall was Alcoa’s winner at 120.  Roby Thomas was victorious for Central at 138 while Tyner’s Ricardo Cancino was the winner at 182.

While Hixson qualified 13 individuals for the traditional state, Polk had seven, Sale Creek five, Central three and Tyner two.

LEGEND AND FINAL TEAM SCORES: 1. Hixson (Hix) 224.5; 2. Polk County (PC) 113; 3. Greenback (Green) 102; 4. Sale Creek (SC) 65; 5. Cumberland County (CC) 64; 6. Upperman (Upp) 60; 7. Alcoa (A) 53; 8. Central (Cent) 51; 9. Tyner (Ty) 33; 10. Livingston Academy (LA) 21.

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106 – JuJuan McCrary (Hix) won by tech fall over Garrett Hall (SC), 3:12;

113 – Cory Manuel (Green) pinned Chris Lagorio (Hix), 5:41;

120 – Gordon McCall (A) pinned Darren Ward (Green), 5:09;

126 – Trevor Lewis (Hix) pinned Wyatt Coleman (SC), 1:12;

132 – Caleb Miller (Hix) pinned Joshua Emerson (PC), 1:03;

138 – Roby Thomas (Cent) pinned Cole Shackleford (Hix), 2:19;

145 – Oleksaudr Warner (PC) pinned Drake Rayburn (Upp), 5:31;

152 – Jonas Vandergriff (Hix) pinned Ocean Brown (PC), 5:33;

160 – Kobie Smith (Hix) pinned Jacob Speights (PC), 5:32;

170 – Kylar Chadwick (PC) pinned Randall Gray (Cent), 3:40;

182 – Ricardo Cancino (Ty) dec. Grayson Hale (CC) 2-0;

195 – Logan Woodall (Hix) pinned Logan Caldwell (Green), 2:35;

220 – Parrish Pacetti (Hix) pinned Jeremiah Cope (Green), 1:13;

285 – Landon Moore (Hix) pinned Benjamin Stone (PC), 1:24.

CONSOLATION FINALS FOR THIRD PLACE

106 – Jacob Folker (LA) received a bye;

113 – Ryan Stephens (A) received a bye;

120 – Noah Pinion (Cent) pinned Jase Moses (Hix), 2:12;

126 – Demeerio Brock (PC) received a bye;

132 – Ryan Leonard (Upp) dec. Mark McNabb (SC), 6-3;

138 – Jaden Harris (SC) pinned James Lawson (CC), :30;

145 – Alek Perry (Green) pinned Bradley Woodall (Hix), 3:17;

152 – Garrett Shokley (Green) pinned Will Bastian (CC), 1:36;

160 – Demetrii Lovick (Ty) pinned Marcus Pedde (CC), :17;

170 – Barrett Seldon (Hix) pinned Isaiah Spradling (A), :46;

182 – Matthew Love (Upp) pinned Aaron Tipton (A), 2:25;

195 – Trevor Almand (A) dec. John Geist (LA), 5-1;

220 – Nic Fields (Upp) pinned Ty Raimbeau (CC), 4:20;

285 – William Beason (SC) pinned Jakob Hicks (CC), 1:50.\

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

__________

Baylor, Cleveland Look For State Dual Repeat Wins

Signal Mountain, Hixson, Bradley Also In The Hunt For Post-Season Mat Honors

Thursday, February 4, 2021 - by John Hunt

Here we are in the first week of February, which means that under normal circumstances, local teams would be preparing for the State Duals wrestling tournament.

That is certainly the case as teams in three classifications will gather in Williamson County on Saturday to determine who’s the best of the best.  But unlike recent years when everyone gathered at the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Center for the two-day event, this year will be a one-day tournament with reduced numbers of teams and at four local schools in the Franklin area.

Four teams in A-AA will gather at Nolensville High School while four more teams in Division II will gather at Mill Creek Middle School in Nolensville for those matches.  The AAA field will have eight teams, four gathering at Centennial High School and four more at Independence High.

Champions in all three classifications will be determined by quitting time Saturday night.

Cleveland, Pigeon Forge and Baylor are the defending champs in their respective divisions and are better-than-average bets to win again.

Cleveland has won three straight AAA State Duals titles while Pigeon Forge has won the last two in A-AA and three of the past four.  Baylor has been the king in Division II for the past two years.

Second-ranked Cleveland will face Dobyns Bennett in its first match at noon (CST) with the winner facing the Summit-Oakland winner.  Bradley Central is currently ranked fifth in the state and will face defending state runner-up Wilson Central in its first match at noon at Centennial with the winner facing the winner of Science Hill and Collierville.

The up-and-coming Signal Mountain Eagles took a huge step last week by beating Nolensville to advance, but the task doesn’t get any easier as they face Pigeon Forge.  The Hixson Wildcats face A-AA runner-up Fairview in the other semifinal.

Baylor takes on Father Ryan at 3:30 (CST) at Mill Creek Middle with the winner facing the winner between Christian Brothers and Montgomery Bell Academy.  Baylor beat Christian Brothers 46-22 to win last year while the Purple Wave was the winner in 2018.

We all know that we’re lucky to even be having a prep wrestling season as all of the regular-season tournaments were cancelled and so were a bunch of regular-season dual meets.  In years past, each team could take 28 individuals to weigh in, but that number is limited to just 20 this year, which makes for some tough assignments for coaches deciding who has to stay at home.

CLEVELAND: The Blue Raiders are the three-time defending champ in the traditional as well as State Duals tournament.  They won all 12 of their dual meets without a loss, but that’s about a third the number of matches they usually have in a season.

Coach Joey Knox has been quick to remind his kids that everyone is gunning for the guys in blue and that any moment of looking past anyone could be a recipe for defeat.

“It seems like everything is going pretty good, but I’m not sure what to think at this point,” Knox said Wednesday morning during a break from his busy schedule.

“We can only take 20 kids, so we just have to make sure we have the right kids at the right spot.  Going to the state duals has become second nature to us, but we still have to stay focused on the task at hand.  We still have to turn the switch on and perform, but our plan is to win another title.  We just have to make sure we take care of the little stuff,” he added.

BRADLEY: The Bradley Bears are the other AAA team going and they may have the toughest match of all in the first round as they drew the Wildcats, a team currently ranked third behind Baylor and Cleveland.  Wilson Central finished second behind Cleveland a year ago and have several runner-up finishes, but they have yet to win a championship match.

Bradley coach Ben Smith knows that his team is the underdog in this first match, but he also admits that his team has won more state duals titles than anyone.  He’s looking for a real Donny brook in Saturday’s first match.

“Right now, we’re healthy and have had two really good days of practice.  We just want to control what we can control and the guys are responding well to what we’re preparing for,” Smith said by phone shortly before lunch.

“Wilson Central is the defending state runner-up and they’re pretty good.  It should be a great first-round match, but I can tell you that nobody wants Bradley in the first round.  We’ve won more than our share of state titles, so we expect to be there competing for a state title every year.  Even though we have a younger team than normal, we aren’t lowering our expectations.

“We have an uphill battle on paper, but we have some good kids too.  We think we can contend with them, but we just have to have things fall our way and to get a few breaks.  But I can tell you there’s no love lost between us and them,” Smith said, knowing that his team lost to Baylor and twice to Cleveland while winning 11 or 12 matches this season.

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN: The Eagles finished second to Gibbs in 2018 at the State Duals and they were runner-up to Pigeon Forge at the traditional tournament a year later.  They lost a tough match against Nolensville in the first round a year ago before being eliminated by Hixson, so there is a bit of unfinished business for coach Joe Jellison and his proud group of Eagles that features nine seniors in the starting lineup.

The Eagles were 8-1 this winter with the only loss to Cleveland.  Jellison is cautiously optimistic when talking about facing the Tigers in Saturday’s first match.

“We’re getting there as we got the job done last Saturday to qualify,” Jellison began his phone conversation.

“We still have room to improve, but it’s been a struggle not being able to wrestle all the matches on our schedule.  However, we’ll go up there and give it our best shot and see what happens.

“I think we match up pretty well with Pigeon Forge and I feel like we can compete with them.  We just have to keep our fingers crossed as all of our guys are healthy right now.  We’ve never wrestled them in a dual meet, but they have a winning tradition.  I feel like we have the team that can beat them, but we just have to wrestle our match and have some things go our way.

“You just never know what will happen.  They are the top-seeded team, but we just need to get our momentum going early.  We have the guys to go the distance, but we just have to put all the pieces together at the right time and to get bonus at every opportunity,” Jellison said with confidence.

HIXSON: The Hixson Wildcats are also in the A-AA field after winning all 12 of their dual meets without a defeat.  The state duals are important, but coach Garrick Hall and his team are in Alcoa today for their region tournament.  They will turn their attention to Fairview when they get home late tonight.

“I’m just trying to survive one more day,” Hall said while trying to take care of smaller details Wednesday afternoon.

“Fairview is the state runner-up and they’ve had more than twice as many matches as we have, so they have much more mat time than we do.  Without a doubt, they have more than their share of studs, but we’re just glad to be competing.  Our focus right now is on the region and advancing as many individuals as possible to the state in two weeks, but we’ll worry about Fairview when the region is over.

“We have a pretty good team this year, but in all honesty, I’m not sure we have enough bullets in our gun.  We just have to get bonus points where possible and to stay off our backs.  We have to have pins every chance we get, but it will come down to bonus points.  Right now, we have a full lineup, so we’re excited to think about the possibilities for Saturday,” Hall added.

BAYLOR: Rex Kendle is in his first year as Baylor’s head coach after Ben Nelson’s resignation following last season's championship runs.  The Red Raiders won both of their dual meets with Bradley and McCallie, but this Covid situation has wreaked havoc with Kendle and his team’s training schedule.

“I don’t think anyone is 100 percent this time of year, but we’ve done some serious training since we came back on Jan. 19 and I feel good about that.  We know that Father Ryan has a tough team, but we’re expecting to be in the finals Saturday night,” Kendle said matter of factly.

“We just need to be consistent in our performance and to score bonus points without giving up any.  It’s been a crazy year and we know the target is on our back.  Our lineup is intact and I feel like we’re ready for the challenge,” the energetic coach concluded.

WHILE THE STATE DUALS are Saturday, Hixson’s region is today with the sole purpose of having time to get ready for traditional state if anyone should turn up positive.

The other A-AA region will be next Friday and Saturday at Eagleville while the AAA region will be at Bradley on Friday.  The D-II region is next Saturday at Knoxville Catholic.

Hixson has been region champs for the last three years.  The goal this year is to make it four in a row, scoring 265 points or more and to have at least nine champions.

“We scored 264 points last year and we had nine champs while qualifying all 14 individuals.  We hope to do it again on Thursday night,” said Hall.

In addition to Hixson, other teams in the field include Upperman, Cumberland County, Central, Livingston Academy, Greenback, Tyner, Sale Creek, Polk County and host Alcoa.

THE TRADITIONAL STATE tournament will be held at the Hamilton County Convention and Trade Center on Feb. 18-20 with the A-AA tournament being held on Thursday, the Division II competition on Friday and the AAA on Saturday.

SATURDAY’S STATE DUAL PAIRINGS

(All times are Central Standard)

DIVISION II AT MILL CREEK MIDDLE

Baylor vs. Father Ryan, 3:30

MBA vs. Christian Brothers, 3:30

Championship match at 6

A-AA AT NOLENSVILLE

Pigeon Forge vs. Signal Mountain, 1:00

Hixson vs. Fairview, 1:00

Championship match at 3:30

AAA AT INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL

Cleveland vs. Dobyns Bennett, noon

Summit vs. Oakland, noon

Semifinals, 2:00

AAA AT CENTENNIAL

Science Hill vs. Collierville, noon

Bradley vs. Wilson Central, noon

Semifinals, 2:00

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT INDEPENDENCE AT 5:30.

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

Edited February 5, 2021 by Sommers

[Sommers]

Sports: Preps

Hixson senior Parrish Pacetti aims to help Wildcats bring home state duals title

February 5th, 2021 | by Patrick MacCoon | Copyright © 2021

Staff file photo by Patrick MacCoon / Hixson senior wrestler Parrish Pacetti, top, won the TSSAA Class A/AA 220-pound championship last season, and he helped the Wildcats in football the past four years as a standout offensive lineman and defensive end.

Parrish Pacetti may have his sights set on playing Division I football, but the Hixson High School senior wrestler admits that on the mat is where he has been challenged the most.

Pacetti won the 220-pound title at last year's TSSAA Class A/AA state traditional tournament, stacking up a pin and 7-0 and 6-2 decisions to wrap up a 46-5 record for his junior season. However, that came only after a fifth-place finish as a sophomore and a freshman season in which he lost at state in the round when a victory would have guaranteed a top-six finish and a medal.

"I love football, but wrestling has had the biggest effect on my character and mindset," said Pacetti, who is being recruited by Austin Peay to play offensive line for the Governors. "You have to be a tough dude to excel in this sport. You have to be mentally there every day to work. Each day you have to reach your breaking point in practice to really get better. That's how you get better and cross that plateau."

He will try to help Hixson (12-0) win the A/AA state duals championship Saturday at Nolensville High School, with the Wildcats facing Fairview (20-3) in the semifinals at 2 p.m. Eastern, when Signal Mountain (8-1) and five-time state champion Pigeon Forge (24-5) will also face off. The championship and third-place duals are set for 4:30.

In Class AAA, Cleveland (12-0) will hunt for its fourth straight state title in an eight-team field, with the Blue Raiders meeting Dobyns-Bennett (15-2) in a quarterfinal at 1 p.m. Eastern at Independence High School in Thompson's Station, where Oakland (23-3) and Summitt (19-1) will face off at the same time. In quarterfinals at the same time at Centennial High School in Franklin, Bradley Central (10-3) will take on Wilson Central (28-0) and Collierville (10-2) faces Science Hill (15-3).

AAA teams will remain at the same sites for the semifinals that follow, with the championship and third-place duals set for 6:30 at Independence.

In the Division II semifinals at Mill Creek Middle School in Nolensville, back-to-back state champion Baylor (2-0) will face Father Ryan (12-6) while Christian Brothers (10-0) wrestles Montgomery Bell Academy (12-4) at 4:30 Eastern. The championship and third-place duals are set for 7.

Hixson's Pacetti quit after his first wrestling tryout in sixth grade because he said he was not tough enough yet for the sport. He has come a long way since then with gains in strength, technique and mindset.

He built character as a steady leader the past four years for Hixson's football team. Although the Wildcats won only four games during that time, with all of those victories over the past two seasons, Pacettit worked hard and became standout offensive lineman and defensive end.

As a wrestler, he enjoys being able to control his own fate in one-on-one matchups that test more than strength and talent. He is 13-0 overall and was one of nine Hixson wrestlers who won individual region championships as he easily pinned his way to victory Thursday at Alcoa High School.

"Honestly, what helps me in wrestling is the hunger to be at the top," Pacetti said. "I have a beat the best to be the best mentality. If you don't win, it means you didn't work harder than the other guy. That's the biggest thing wrestling comes down to. You have to want it more than the other one does."

Pacetti, Trevor Lewis (126 pounds) and Caleb Miller (132) are team captains for the Wildcats, who finished third at state duals last season. Lewis — a state champ two years ago — Jonas Vandergriff (152) and Kobe Smith (160) are also undefeated this season, and Miller, Logan Woodall (195) and Landon Moore (285) each has won loss for coach Todd Worley's deep lineup.

As for Pacetti, football may be in his future, but wrestling will remain with him even after he steps off the mat for the last time.

"My coaches have really been role models for me because I didn't grow up with a whole lot of great role models," Pacetti said. "But I got into school and sports and they really pushed me. Coach Worley helped me really prepare hard for my state championship run last year, and he is a really great coach and friend to me. He is just a great dude who has been a big influence on me and my success."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

[Sommers]

State Duals Wrestling Results

Matches Held In Williamson County On Saturday, February 6

Saturday, February 6, 2021

AAA CHAMPIONSHIP AT INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL

CLEVELAND 39, WILSON CENTRAL 28

132 -- Riley Fort (WC) pinned Jackson Bradford, :49;

138 -- Hagen Cooper (Clev) pinned Avery Warnock, 4:33;

145 -- Trae McDaniel (Clev) pinned Alan Fort, 2:46;

152 -- Lucas Chittum (Clev) won by injury default over Steven Fisak;

160 -- Samuel Griggs (WC) major dec. Desmond Prigmore, 13-3;

170 -- Brady Jarvis (WC) dec. Edward Christie-Couvillion, 8-2;

182 -- Tetoe Boyd (Clev) major dec. Matthew Hills, 14-5;

195 -- Benjamin Gray (Clev) pinned Anthony Glasgow, 1:50;

220 -- Ashton Davis (Clev) dec. Noah Todd, 1-0;

285 -- Jesse Richardson (WC) pinned Nick Nicodemis, 2:39;

106 -- Logan Fowler (Clev) pinned Paul Johnson, 2:00;

113 -- Bentley Ellison (Clev) dec. Nicholas Mercante, 4-0;

120 -- Thomas Borders (WC) dec. Arlo Laxton, 2-1;

126 -- Connor Warnock (WC) pinned Charles Randall, 1:16.

DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP AT MILL CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL

BAYLOR 48, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 21

195 -- David Harper (Bay) major dec. Gervacio Gonzalez, `15-3;

220 -- Connor Billingsley (CB) dec. Heath Snodgrass, 5-0;

285 -- Matthew Smith (Bay) pinned Gabriel Croom, 3:59;

106 -- Kade Hartline (Bay) pinned Alex Ropski, 5:33;

113 -- Nick Cordey (Bay) pinned Isaac Levey, 5:07;

120 -- Wills Bronson (WC) pinned Judson Jarrett, 2:50;

126 -- Jackson Bond (Bay) pinned Carter Zuendel, 1:19;

132 -- Elijah Turner (Bay) pinned Drake Bowers, 1:31;

138 -- Dayne Dalrymple (CB) dec. Micah Tisdale, 4-0;

145 -- Garrison Dendy (Bay) won by technical fall over Sam Lee;

152 -- Evan Anthony (CB) won by technical fall over Porter Kaufman;

160 -- Aidan Bowers (CB) major dec. Anthony Mannella, 13-5;

170 -- Omaury Alvarez (Bay) dec. Foster Salvaggio, 10-4;

182 -- Ronald Garriques (Bay) pinned Theo Sewell, 3:47.

A-AA CHAMPIONSHIP AT NOLENSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

FAIRVIEW 39, PIGEON FORGE 36\

138 -- Riley Bennett (Fair) pinned Colin Gray, 3:00;

145 -- Josh Parton (PF) major dec. Matthew Cox, 10-2;

152 -- Garrett Foreman (PF) pinned John Spicer, 2:40;

160 -- Blake Mitchell (Fair) pinned Aiden Littles, 1:12;

170 -- Malachi Bennett (Fair) major dec. Khumovn Sattorov, 15-4;

182 -- Joseph Skidmore (PF) dec. Marco Pukl, 7-5 in overtime;

195 -- Ethan Sutton (PF) pinned Kendrick Curtis, 5:17;

220 -- Caleb Wolfe (PF) pinned Arie Donaldson, :16;

285 -- Jacob Clevenger (Fair) pinned Mustafi Algarawi, 4:49;

106 -- Sam Frank (Fair) pinned Samuel Hadder, 2:16;

113 -- Hunter Gentry (PF) pinned Josh Helm, 3:09;

120 -- Keegan Seaver (Fair) won by technical fall over James Justice;

126 -- Jeffery Anderson (Fair) won by injury default over Andy Cable;

132 -- Noah Dyer (PF) pinned Matthew Blaylock, 3:31.

AAA QUARTERFINALS

 CLEVELAND 55, DOBYNS BENNETT 15

120 – Arlo Laxton (Clev) major dec. Gavin Armstrong, 17-4;

126 – Charles Randall (Clev) pinned Cannon Mullins, 3:27;

132 – Jackson Bradford (Clev) dec. Brennan Watkins, 7-4;

138 – Trae McDaniel (Clev) pinned Eli Whitley, 2:13;

145 – Lucas Chittum (Clev) won by technical fall over Drew Vetter;

152 – Jackson Hurst (DB) dec. Cael Laxton, 11-9 in overtime;

160 – Tre Morrisette (DB) pinned Desmond Prigmore, 1:43;

170 – Clint Morrisette (DB) pinned Edward Christe-Couvillion, :47;

182 – Tetoe Boyd (Clev) major dec. Aidan Rhoton, 11-2;

195 – Benjamin Gray (Clev) pinned Garrett Crowder, 2:15;

220 – Ashton Davis (Clev) pinned Nikolas Burke, :28;

285 – Nick Nicodemis (Clev) dec. Eseka Kipimo, 3-0;

106 – Logan Fowler (Clev) pinned Judah Moore, :45;

113 – Bentley Ellison (Clev) pinned Matthew Munsey, 1:18.

WILSON CENTRAL 37, BRADLEY 33

120 – Thomas Borders (WC) won by forfeit;

126 – Connor Warnock (WC) major dec. Daniel James, 13-5;

132 – Avery Warnock (WC) dec. Easton Lipsey, 5-2;

138 – Riley Fort (WC) pinned Taron Patterson, 3:18;

145 – Luke Belcher (Brad) dec. Alan Fort, 10-5;

152 – Steven Fisak (WC) pinned Anthony Lynn, :58;

160 – Brady Jarvis (WC) pinned Benjamin Stansberry, 2:28;

170 – Samuel Griggs (WC) dec. Knox Watson, 9-7;

182 – Matthew Hills (WC) dec. Wade Brooks, 4-1;

195 – Cody McDaniel (Brad) won by forfeit;

220 – Jaylen Thomas (Brad) won by forfeit;

285 – Austin McClure (Brad) won by forfeit;

106 – Bryson Terrell (Brad) won by forfeit;

113 – Ethan Lipsey (Brad) won by forfeit.

AAA SEMIFINAL

CLEVELAND 41, SUMMIT 37

126 – Charles Randall (Clev) pinned Justin Noll, 3:00;

132 – Landon Desselle (Sum) won by injury default over Jackson Bradford;

138 – Trae McDaniel (Clev) pinned Austin Noll, :46;

145 – Lucas Chittum (Clev) pinned Davie Hackert, 2:53;

152 – Graham Harvey (Sum) pinned Camden Lockerby, 3:42;

160 – Finley Jameson (Sum) major dec. Desmond Prigmore, 12-2;

170 – Luke Justice (Sum) dec. Edward Christe-Couvillion, 10-3;

182 – Tetoe Boyd (Clev) pinned Jensen Schreiber, 2:24;

195 – Benjamin Gray (Clev) pinned Maddox Reed, :48;

220 – Ashton Davis (Clev) won by technical fall over Tyler Garber;

285 – Ryan Smith (Sum) pinned Nick Nicodemis, 3:33;

106 – Logan Fowler (Clev) pinned Grayson Miller, 3:48;

113 – Jarvis Little (Sum) won by forfeit;

120 – Jackson Masters (Sum) won by forfeit.

AAA CONSOLATION

BRADLEY 59, COLLIERVILLE 20

126 – Damen Pullen (Col) dec. Easton Lipsey, 3-2;

132 – Taron Patterson (Brad) pinned Gage King, 5:26;

138 – Luke Belcher (Brad) won by technical fall over Lucas Spradley;

145 – Anthony Lynn (Brad) won by forfeit;

152 – Christian Flynn (Col) pinned Brayden Swallows, 1:21;

160 – Benjamin Stansberry (Brad) pinned Dalton McNutt, :52;

170 – Knox Watson (Brad) pinned Brandon Gutierrez, 2:56;

182 – Wyatt Lankford (Col) won by technical fall over Wade Brooks;

195 – Theodore Cooper (Col) pinned Cody McDaniel, 2:21;

220 – Brett Waters (Brad) won by forfeit;

285 – Austin McClure (Brad) won by injury default over Christian Iroh;

106 – Bryson Terrell (Brad) won by forfeit;

113 – Ethan Lipsey (Brad) won by forfeit;

120 – Daniel James (Brad) won by forfeit.

A-AA SEMIFINALS

PIGEON FORGE 42, SIGNAL MOUNTAIN 33

132 – Noah Dyer (PF) pinned Cole Jenkins, 3:04;

138 – Josh Parton (PF) dec. Kale Albritton, 3-2;

145 – Brock Shipley (SM) dec. Colin Gray, 5-1;

152 – Garrett Foreman (PF) pinned Aidan Maharrey, :49;

160 – Aiden Littles (PF) pinned Mats Dammann, 1:05;

170 – Oscar Reyes (PF) pinned Roman Skorupa, 1:07;

182 – Kevin Muschel (SM) pinned Joseph Skidmore, 5:21;

195 – Ethan Sutton (PF) dec. Preston Worley, 9-3;

220 – Caleb Wolfe (PF) pinned Pearson Lindsay, :33;

285 – Mustafi Algarawi (PF) pinned Daniel Odom, 1:05;

106 – Ethan Uhorchuk (SM) won by forfeit;

113 – Caleb Uhorchuk (SM) won by forfeit;

120 – Noah Shriner (SM) won by forfeit;

126 – Daniel Uhorchuk (SM) won by forfeit.

FAIRVIEW 44, HIXSON 31

132 – Caleb Miller (Hix) major dec. Jeffery Anderson, 15-7;

138 – Riley Bennett (Fair) pinned Cole Shackleford, :55;

145 – Bradley Woodall (Hix) pinned Matthew Cox, 3:34;

152 – Blake Mitchell (Fair) pinned Jonas Vandergriff, 1:55;

160 – Malachi Bennett (Fair) dec. Kobie Smith, 8-3;

170 – Jacob Derrick (Fair) pinned Barrett Seldon, 1:58;

182 – Marco Pukl (Fair) pinned Maddox Gilkey, :28;

195 – Kendrick Curtis (Fair) won by technical fall over Logan Woodall;

220 – Parrish Pacetti (Hix) pinned Sam Hammon, 1:40;

285 – Jacob Clevenger (Fair) pinned Landon Moore, 5:58;

106 – JuJuan McCrary (Hix) dec. Sam Frank, 7-2;

113 – Josh Helm (Fair) pinned Grant Finch, :36;

120 – Jase Moses (Hix) won by forfeit;

126 – Trevor Lewis (Hix) won by forfeit.

A-AA CONSOLATION FINAL FOR THIRD PLACE

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN 47, HIXSON 32

138 – Kale Albritton (SM) pinned Cole Shackleford, :32;

145 – Brock Shipley (SM) pinned Bradley Woodall, 1:49;

152 – Jonas Vandergriff (Hix) pinned Aidan Maharrey, 5:10;

160 – Kobie Smith (Hix) pinned Eli Shriner, 1:14;

170 – Barrett Seldon (Hix) pinned Mats Dammann, 3:53;

182 – Kevin Muschel (SM) pinned Maddox Gilkey, :49;

195 – Preston Worley (SM) pinned Logan Woodall, 3:24;

220 – Parrish Pacetti (Hix) pinned Pearson Lindsay, 1:43;

285 – Landon Moore (Hix) dec. Daniel Odom, 4-0;

106 – Ethan Uhorchuk (SM) won by technical fall over Grant Finch;

113 – Caleb Uhorchuk (SM) pinned JuJuan McCrary, 4:49;

120 – Noah Shriner (SM) pinned Jase Moses, 2:54;

126 – Daniel Uhorchuk (SM) won by forfeit;

132 – Trevor Lewis (Hix) pinned Cole Jenkins, :55.

DIVISION II SEMIFINAL

BAYLOR 55, FATHER RYAN 9

182 – Ronald Garriques (Bay) pinned Tim Brunet, :49;

195 – David Harper (Bay) pinned William McGrady, :49;

220 – Heath Snodgrass (Bay) pinned Abraham Cromartie, 1:18;

285 – Parker Petersen (Ryan) won by forfeit;

106 – Kade Hartline (Bay) won by forfeit;

113 – Nick Cordey (Bay) pinned Joseph Jones, 1:27;

120 – Judson Jarrett (Bay) dec. Matt Oberlander, 5-3;

126 – Jackson Bond (Bay) major dec. Calvin Eason, 10-1;

132 – Elijah Turner (Bay) dec. Fuad Ahmed, 12-11;

138 – Micah Tisdale (Bay) dec. Thomas Wesnofske, 4-3;

145 – Garrison Dendy (Bay) pinned Ben Stigamier, 1:39;

152 – Porter Kaufman (Bay) dec. Andrew Laden, 7-5;

160 – Joey Terry (Ryan) dec. Anthony Mannella, 6-4;

170 – Omaury Alvarez (Bay) dec. William Rodgers, 7-0.

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

[Sommers]

Times Free Press

Cleveland's Colton Landers steps up for UTC wrestling program

February 5th, 2021 | by Gene Henley | Copyright © 2021

Staff photo by Troy Stolt / UTC's Colton Landers escapes to earn a point against Campbell's Gabe Hixenbaugh in the 133-pound match in their teams' SoCon dual Friday at McKenzie Arena. Landers, a redshirt junior, has made steady progress during his time with the Mocs after starring in high school for Cleveland's Blue Raiders.

It's taken four seasons for former Cleveland High School standout Colton Landers to assume a full-time position in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling lineup.

The 133-pounder redshirted in 2017-18, then wrestled just a few matches in his first official season on the mat with the Mocs as he learned behind another former Blue Raider, 2019 Southern Conference champion Chris Debien. In 2019-20, Landers got his first taste of some real action, making it to the second day of the Southern Scuffle at McKenzie Arena, which brought him some confidence.

Now a junior and a regular starter, Landers has performed well, including being one of five UTC wrestlers who won twice in Friday's home duals against Campbell and Bellarmine. Fabian Gutierrez (125), Franco Valdes (141), Weston Wichman (157) and Drew Nicholson (165) also went 2-0.

UTC split, falling 17-15 to the Camels — who clinched their third straight SoCon regular-season title with the win — before handling the Knights 38-3 to finish its duals schedule 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the league. Campbell (8-1, 7-0) won 47-3 against Bellarmine (1-9, 1-7) in the day's first dual at McKenzie.

The next scheduled competition for the Mocs is Feb. 28 at the SoCon tournament in Boone, North Carolina.

PHOTO GALLERY

UTC vs. Campbell wrestling on Feb. 5, 2021

 

 

View 34 Photos

Landers beat Campbell's Gabriel Hixenbaugh 4-0 and pinned Bellarmine's Max Dansereau in 2:38 to improve to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in SoCon matches this year. He was one of three Mocs who wrestled in SoCon dual meets at 133 last season, along with Valdes and Wade Cummings. That's no longer the case, and Landers said "it feels good to start off the season" as the top wrestler in his weight class on the roster.

"The weight cut is always tough, but weekend after weekend of having these tri-matches, the weight isn't a problem anymore," he added. "I feel good. I'm wrestling and ready to go."

After a prep career in which he was 123-7 in his final three seasons with a state title and two runner-up finishes, his early time with the Mocs showed him he had to refine his style, particularly in the two starting positions on the mat.

"If your top and bottom game isn't up to par, you'll get manhandled big time," he said. "I've made leaps and bounds to get to where I'm at now."

UTC coach Kyle Ruschell reiterated that Landers' biggest challenge was "making weight every week," but now that it's become a routine — the Mocs have wrestled at least one dual meet for six straight weekends — the process has become a lot easier for him and people now have the opportunity to see what he can do.

"Him being the starter, that's his role now," Ruschell said. "He doesn't have to worry about anybody behind him, and so he can take confidence in that. I think now, walking out on the mat, he knows it's going to be really hard for people to score on him, and he can ride them and he's seen a lot of success.

"It's just a matter of putting it all together, and I think this year he's seeing the results."

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.

[Sommers]

Chattanooga Times Free Press coverage including north ga success...

Sports: Preps

Prep roundup: Baylor, Cleveland wrestlers add more state duals titles

February 6th, 2021 | by Staff Reports | Copyright © 2021

Staff file photo by C.B. Schmelter / Baylor standout Garrison Dendy had a first-round pin and a 17-1 technical fall to help the Red Raiders win a third straight TSSAA Division II state duals championship Saturday.

Cleveland and Baylor continued the Chattanooga area's wrestling dominance at Saturday's TSSAA state duals, the Blue Raiders by winning their fourth straight Class AAA title and the Red Raiders with their third Division II championship in a row.

All three of Cleveland's wins Saturday were at Independence High School in Thompson's Station. The Blue Raiders beat Wilson Central 39-28 in the final after a 41-37 semifinal win against Summit and a 55-15 rout of Dobyns-Bennett.

The Blue Raiders (15-0), the state's top-ranked team across all levels, were led by Logan Fowler (106 pounds), Benjamin Gray (195) and Army signee Trae McDaniel (138), who won all three of their matches by pin. Tetoe Boyd (185), Cody Chittum (145), Ashton Davis (220) and Bentley Ellison (113) also went 3-0 for Cleveland.

"This was special, especially for Trae McDaniel, Jackson Bradford and Cael Laxton, who have been with me since the start four years ago," coach Joey Knox said. "Ben Gray is a senior and was a tremendous addition to our lineup. Jackson convinced him to come out to wrestle with us and end his senior year with us. These guys are all a part of history."

Baylor, 4-0 under first-year head coach Rex Kendle, continued its run of titles with a 48-21 victory against Christian Brothers in the final, having won four decisions by two or fewer points while throttling Father Ryan 55-9 in the semifinals in D-II competition at Middle Creek Middle School in Nolensville.

Ronald Garriques (182) won both of his matches by pin, and he was joined in going 2-0 by teammates Omaury Alvarez (170), Jackson Bond (126), Nick Corday (113), Garrison Dendy (145), David Harper (195), Kade Hartline (106) and Elijah Turner (132).

"All of the guys are jacked up about winning another state championship, Kendle said. "This was a very strange season and we didn't get a lot of matches, but we were just happy to be wrestling. You can't point at just one person; our lineup has so many great wrestlers, and they all played a big part today."

In the Class A/AA state duals at Nolensville High School, Signal Mountain beat Hixson 47-32 in the third-place match. In the semifinals of the four-team event, Signal Mountain lost 42-33 to Pigeon Forge, which then had its run of three straight state duals titles end with a 39-36 loss to Fairview. Hixson lost 44-31 to Fairview in the semifinals.

Trailing 26-24 in the third-place match, the Eagles (9-2) stormed back with a technical fall by Ethan Uhorchuk (106) and pins by Caleb Uhorchuk (113) and Noah Shriner (120) before three-time state champion Daniel Uhorchuk's (126) second forfeit win of the day.

Signal Mountain's Kevin Muschel (182) had two pins Saturday, when Brock Shipley (145) was 2-0 with one pin.

For Hixson (12-2), the trio of senior captains Trevor Lewis (126), Caleb Miller (132) and Parrish Pacetti (220) were all 2-0, Pacetti with two pins, Miller with a pin and a major decision and Lewis with a pin and by forfeit.

Bradley Central lost 37-33 in a Class AAA quarterfinal to Wilson Central but won its fifth-place match 59-20 over Collierville. Luke Belcher (145) won both of his matches for the Bears (11-4), one of them a 17-0 tech fall.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Cleveland's Trae McDaniel won by pin in all three of his matches Saturday to help the Blue Raiders secure a fourth straight TSSAA Class AAA state duals championship.

Georgia High School Association wrestlers began their traditional postseason with area and region tournaments, and with no sectionals this year, top-three individual finishes were required to advance to this coming week's state tournaments.

7-A at Darlington: Trion won the team title with 215 points to Armuchee's 106, and the Bulldogs will send all 14 of their wrestlers to state. Trion's individual champions were Daegan Vaughn (106), Seth Huskins (120), Bryce James (132), Logan Eller (160), Bladyn Bowman (182), Zach Sharp (195) and Brantley Willbanks (220). Gordon Lee was third with 102 points and will be sending 10 to state, led by champion Montgomery Kephart (170).

7-AA at Chattooga: Area duals champion Dade County rolled to the traditional title with 188 points, well ahead of second-place Model (148.5). The Wolverines have 11 state qualifiers, led by area champions Jake Gatlin (106), Garrett Dunn (120), Cayden Cooper (145), Zac Smith (152), Cody Williams (182) and Landon Williams (195). Gordon Central was fourth with 83 points and has three state qualifiers, including area champion Shane Davis (126). Chattooga, the reigning state traditional champ hit hard by COVID-19, has five qualifiers, including area champs Rowan Burdick (160) and Ty Veatch (220).

6-AAA at Sonoraville: The host Phoenix, who scored 196 points to win the title, will send 13 of their 14 wrestlers to state, including eight area champions: Logan Moore (126), Eli Knight (132), Davin O'Neal (145), Colt Weaver (160), Gavin Harper (182), Jebb Knight (195), Draven Peppers (220) and Jaxx Knight (285). Coahulla Creek was second with 134 points and will send 11 wrestlers to Macon, led by champ Levi Sandoval (170). Third-place LaFayette (125) has nine qualifiers and three area champs: Jacob Hamilton (106), Levi Ledford (138) and Karson Ledford (152). Ringgold had a pair of area champions in Gage Kenner (113) and Hudson Moss (120) and will advance six others, while LFO has three qualifiers.

5-AAA at Gilmer: The hosts dominated with 239 points and finished with 12 area champs and two runners-up. North Murray had the other two champs in Herman Hernandez (132) and Devin Hunte (195) among its 11 state qualifiers, with Murray County advancing eight.

7-AAAA at Pickens: Northwest Whitfield finished a tight second to Central-Carroll, 162 points to 154, and will take eight competitors to state, four of them area champs: Eli Johnson (106), Victor Pineda (113), Alex Robinson (138) and Manny Barreiro (145). Southeast Whitfield was second and will advance seven to the state, while Heritage had a pair of champions in Cayman Hughey (132) and Zach Brown (220) among its six state qualifiers and Ridgeland two area champions in Aidan Raymer (152) and Tommy Lamb (285).

6-AAAAA at Cass: Calhoun finished fourth behind Woodland-Bartow, Cass and Cartersville, and five Yellow Jackets advanced to state, led by 145-pound champion Isaac Green.

5-AAAAAA at Alexander: Dalton finished fourth and had four state qualifiers, led by champs Hunter Noland (145) and David Garcia (170).

[Sommers]

Murfreesboro Post

 

https://www.murfreesboropost.com/sports/oakland-wrestlers-fall-at-state-duals/article_dc348ff8-696f-11eb-a215-d73692a5283a.html

Oakland wrestlers fall at State Duals

• POST REPORT
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  • Feb 7, 2021 Updated 21 hrs ago
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    • Comments

 

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Oakland's Drayden Bouma (top) defeated Summit's Grayson Miller 12-8 in the State Duals Saturday. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

 

 

 

Oakland's Evan Harris (bottom) defeated Summits Jensen Schreiber by fall at the State Duals Saturday. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

 

 

 

 

Oakland's Chastain Stokes defeated Summit's Jarvis Little 6-5 at the State Duals Saturday. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

 

 

 

 

Oakland's Jaxsen Nieuwsma defeated Summit's Austin Grooters 6-5 at the State Duals Saturday. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

 

 

 

 

Oakland's Conner Steven Beasley defeated Summit's Jack Hill by fall in the State Duals Saturday. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

 

 

 

 

Summit celebrates a win during the during the State Duals in Franklin Saturday. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

 

 

 

 

Summit's Tyler Garber (bottom) defeated Theron Gaines of Oakland by fall in the State Duals Saturday. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

 

 

 

 

Summit''s Justin Noll defeated Oakland's Kenton Smith 16-3 in the State Duals Saturday. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

 

 

 

 

Oakland's Maddox Reed (top) defeated Oakland's Braxton Myers 9-5 in the State Duals. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

 

 

 

 

Oakland and Summit compete in the state duals in Franklin Saturday. HARRISON MCCLARY

• Harrison McClary

Oakland's wrestling team was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the State Duals held in Williamson County on Saturday.

The Patriots fell 43-20 to Summit in the tournament opener at Independence High School. Oakland finished the season in the top eight and 23-4 on the season.

Oakland winners included: Jaxsen Nieuwsma defeated Austin Grooters 6-5 in the 138-pound class; Conner Steven Beasley defeated Jack Hill by pinfall at 152; Even Harris defeated Jensen Schreiber by pinfall at 182; Brayden Bouma defeated Grayson Miller 12-8 at 106; Chastain Stokes defeated Jarvis Little 6-5 at 113.

The TSSAA Wrestling State individual championships will be returning to Chattanooga after a 12-year absence on Feb. 18-20. The Chattanooga Convention Center will host this year’s competition.

Division I Class A-AA will take place on Thursday, Feb. 18th. Division II and girls will compete on Friday, Feb. 19th, and Division I Class AAA will compete on Saturday, Feb. 20th.

STATE WRESTLING DUALS RESULTS

Quarterfinals

Cleveland (12-0) 55, Dobyns Bennett 15

Summit (19-1) 43, Oakland (23-3) 20

Science Hill 47 (15-3) 47, Collierville (10-2) 22

Wilson Central (28-0) 37, Bradley Central (10-3) 33

Semifinals

Cleveland 41, Summit 37

Wilson Central 39, Science Hill 36

Third Place

Summit 45, Science Hill 25

Fifth Place

Bradley Central 59, Collierville 20

Seventh Place

Oakland, Dobyns Bennett

Championship

Cleveland 39, Wilson Central 28

[Sommers]

Down from RMC's territory, Ga's Buford up from 2A to 6A now in a just a few short years takes another championship.

Also, Archer is back...

https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/archer-rolls-to-7-aaaaaaa-traditional-wrestling-title/article_a28d8bd2-68d0-11eb-87f3-a7f31b2a69e1.html

[Sommers]

More Ga updates...

Nanta Journal-Consti

GHSA Traditional Wrestling State Championship Preview

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS BLOG| 9 hours ago

By Score Atlanta

 

In the highest classification, Camden County will attempt to complete its seventh-consecutive title sweep. The Wildcats qualified wrestlers in all 14 weight classes to undertake this feat and are fresh off an absolutely dominant performance in their run to this year’s Class 7A Dual Championship. Camden County outscored West Forsyth 63-12 in the finals after dispatching Lowndes 69-3 and Archer 65-3. There are several other Class 7A programs that qualified enough wrestlers to challenge Camden County’s bid for its seventh-straight traditional title. West Forsyth qualified 11 wrestlers, Mountain View qualified 12, McEachern qualified 13 and Brookwood, Archer and Newnan each qualified 14.

Class 6A’s dual saw Buford outscore Creekview 46-17 in the finals. The victory gives Buford an opportunity to sweep titles for the third time since 2017. This is Buford’s first year competing in Class 6A and there will be plenty of experienced programs stacking the field. North Atlanta qualified wrestlers in all 14 weight classes and Valdosta will have 13 wrestlers. Additionally, Alexander, Richmond Hill, Coffee, Creekview and Lee County qualified a dozen wrestlers and Pope will have wrestlers competing in 10 weight classes.

Class 5A was also significantly restructured in the latest reclassification cycle and the depth of contenders makes this classification one of the most intriguing fields to watch this weekend. Woodward Academy emerged victorious in the duals with its 47-24 win over Cass and will have 14 wrestlers heading to Macon where they will look to claim a third-straight traditional championship after racking up back-to-back titles in Class 4A the previous two years. Woodland-Cartersville has won the last two 5A traditional titles and will have 14 wrestlers. This could set up a battle between reigning champions as Woodland and Woodward now occupy the same classification. Also, Coffee and Southwest DeKalb qualified 13 wrestlers and Ola, Ware County, Villa Rica and St. Pius each qualified a dozen wrestlers.

Jefferson will aim for its 19th traditional state title since 2001 and headlines the Class 4A field after competing in Class 3A the previous two seasons. The Dragons used wins over North Oconee (36-30), Central-Carroll (62-13) and Flowery Branch (61-15) to capture this year’s dual state title and will have 13 wresters competing in the traditional tournament. Heritage-Catoosa and Perry qualified wrestlers in all 14 weight classes, West Laurens qualified 13 and the Class 4A field will also feature Marist—which qualified 12 wrestlers.

In Class 3A, North Hall defeated Gilmer 37-27 to win the dual title. The victory gave the Trojans their third all-time dual state title, however, the program is still searching for its first-ever traditional title. North Hall will have 12 wrestlers competing this weekend looking to deliver the Trojans’ first-ever championship sweep of titles. The Class 3A field is loaded with other contenders—including Gilmer—which qualified a full 14 wrestlers. Pike County will also have 14 wrestlers. Adairsville and Rockmart have 13 wrestlers representing them in this year’s tournament and Sonoraville has 12 wrestlers—providing the Phoenix with enough depth to challenge the field.

Oglethorpe County defeated Dade County in the Class 2A duals to win the school’s first-ever wrestling championship. Now, the Patriots will have a full 14 wrestlers heading to Macon with the goal of completing the historic championship sweep. Fannin County also qualified wrestlers in all 14 weight classes and there will be plenty of competition in Class 2A, with Banks County, Lovett and Elbert County positioned to have wrestlers in 13 weight classes. Additionally, Putnam County, Lamar County and Toombs County will each have a dozen wrestlers taking on the tournament field.

Like Oglethorpe County, Mt. Pisgah made history in the duals by capturing its first-ever wrestling state title. The Patriots scored a 48-27 win over Commerce in the dual finals and Commerce made it to the finals after a thrilling 32-31 win over Trion. Commerce, Trion and Social Circle will have wrestlers in all 14 weight classes. Mt. Pisgah qualified 13 wrestlers and Screven County will have 12 wrestlers represented in the field.

About the Author

In Other News

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS BLOG| 3h ago

Class 3A blog: Some big questions that need some big answers

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS BLOG| 3h ago

Class 4A Blog: Region 6 Tournament reaches semifinal round

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS BLOG

GHSA Traditional Wrestling Championships Commence in Macon

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS BLOG

GHSA Girls Wrestling Division Gears Up for Exciting Year Three

 

 

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[Sommers]

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Rossview High leads scoring in individual boys’ district wrestling tournament

By Ryan Vinson 

Contributed

February 11, 2021 11:35 am

• FaceboTwLink

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Conditions were cold on the roads, but it didn’t take long for the action to heat up on the mats Wednesday night. Rossview High School hosted the individual boys’ district wrestling tournament one night earlier than originally scheduled in order to avoid the incoming ice storm.

This was a new event, necessitated by the small number of matches in the COVID-19 era, which made it harder to seed wrestlers for the region tournament properly. In each weight class, the top four wrestlers advance to the region tournament at Beech High School on Saturday, Feb. 13. Then, the top two will advance to the state tournament in Chattanooga the following week. Girls have already qualified for state.

The Rossview Hawks seemed to enjoy a home advantage despite not having a crowd in attendance, scoring 226.5 team points and having a top four finisher in every weight class. In second place was Clarksville, 199 points; third place West Creek, 144; fourth place Montgomery Central, 82; fifth place Kenwood, 71; sixth place Northeast, 50; and seventh place Northwest, 29.

Here are the results by weight class:

106 lbs

• 1st: Koen Ploeckelman, CHS
• 2nd: Jason Scorpio, WCHS
• 3rd: Camden Myers, NWHS
• 4th: Alex Dean, RHS

113 lbs

• 1st: Devin Lozdoski, CHS
• 2nd: Ben Mayberry, RHS
• 3rd: Nathan Spuill, KHS
• 4th: Aidan Renken, WCHS

120 lbs

• 1st: Zachariah Loreant, RHS
• 2nd: Rowan Carey, NEHS
• 3rd: Jakobi Moore, KHS
• 4th: Niko Gottlick, CHS

126 lbs

• 1st: Bryce Woerner, RHS
• 2nd: Cael Crume, WCHS
• 3rd: Cade Steiner, NWHS
• 4th: (no other wrestlers)

132 lbs

• 1st: Samuel Shires, RHS
• 2nd: Camden Stahley, CHS
• 3rd: Joshua Key, MCHS
• 4th: Dylyn Hussey, WCHS

138 lbs

• 1st: Aidan Johnson, CHS
• 2nd: Jeb Burchett, RHS
• 3rd: Nathaniel Gonzalez, WCHS
• 4th: Davin Mayfield, MCHS

145 lbs

• 1st: Julian Bershear, RHS
• 2nd: Jackson Vaughn, WCHS
• 3rd: Malachi Robinson, CHS
• 4th: Darius Williamson, NEHS

152 lbs

• 1st: Aidan Brenot, CHS
• 2nd: Jordan Musarra, RHS
• 3rd: Kaden Perkins, MCHS
• 4th: Devin Otero, WCHS

160 lbs

• 1st: Matthew Seeber, CHS
• 2nd: Joshua Ward, WCHS
• 3rd: Jordan Caldwell, NWHS
• 4th: Anthony Bracero, RHS

170 lbs

• 1st: Michael Bissonett, CHS
• 2nd: Nathan Moore, RHS
• 3rd: Ryan Babuscio, MCHS
• 4th: Gabriel Vandiver, WCHS

182 lbs

• 1st: Zachary Duessler, RHS
• 2nd: Deago Buck, CHS
• 3rd: Noah Taylor, KHS
• 4th: Nathan Contreras, NEHS

195 lbs

• 1st: Tyler Lowell, KHS
• 2nd: Bryan Simpson, NEHS
• 3rd: Ruben Avalos, RHS
• 4th: Nate Savers, MCHS

220 lbs

• 1st: Kyelar Edwards, CHS
• 2nd: Mason Booth, MCHS
• 3rd: Gary Cheesman, RHS
• 4th: Chris Carbin, WCHS

285 lbs

• 1st: Jonathan Cook, WCHS
• 2nd: Joshua Phillips, RHS
• 3rd: Bobby O’Connor, MCHS
• 4th: Dagoberto Rodriguez, KHS
• ___________

 

College wrestling in Tennessee, i.e., King...

“We usually just want to bring guys in that fit our culture as a team,” Brown said. “We want to build a championship culture, but also that fits what King is about as a Christian institution.

“First, we look there, and then secondly we look our weight class needs so this year we kind of look at where we could stand to fill some more depth.”

Currently, that would be the heavyweight, in addition to the 197 and 184 weight classes. Interested? Brown is always looking for a few more good men.

 

“We just kind of look for the best wrestlers in the country at that weight class and if you think Bristol, Tennessee is a good fit for you,” he said, “then come on and join us.”

Deral Brown, HC

Brown, is assisted by Bryce Killian and Matt Martoccio

https://heraldcourier.com/sports/college-wrestling-king-wrestling-looking-toward-the-postseason/article_4aee989a-6c1c-11eb-a356-d70814649141.html

 

Edited February 12, 2021 by Sommers