Meet the 2018 Daily News Journal all-area wrestling team
Cecil Joyce
It was a banner year for high school wrestling in the Murfreesboro area.
Three Division I state individual champions were crowned and several others finished as medalists.
Smyrna junior Cameron Henderson, Blackman junior Landon Fowler and Siegel senior Christian Salter all captured state championships in their respective weight divisions. The three are finalists for The Daily News Journal's all-area wrestler of the year award.
Henderson won the state title in the 132-pound division with a 5-3 finals win over Knox Halls' Chase Brown.
Fowler defeated Bearden's Max Grayson 12-5 in the 170-pound finals for his first state title.
Salter battled through an injury and held off William Blount's Dawson Satterfield in the 182-pound finals for his first title.
The all-area wrestler of the year will be announced at an all-sports ceremony in May.
The all-area wrestling team includes:
FIRST TEAM
Tyler South
Stewarts Creek, Fr.
Weight class: 106 pounds
Why chosen: Won a consolation round at the Class AAA state tournament after capturing the Region 5-AAA title.
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Kenny Harless
Stewarts Creek, So.
Weight class: 113 pounds
Why chosen: Earned a medal by finishing fourth at the state tournament after winning the region title.
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Lucas Gaines
Stewarts Creek, Jr.
Weight class: 120 pounds
Why chosen: Medaled at the state tournament, finishing fourth, after winning the region title.
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Brandon McClure
Riverdale, So.
Weight class: 126 pounds
Why chosen: Won a consolation round at the state tournament after finishing second in the region.
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Cameron Henderson
Smyrna, Jr.
Weight class: 132 pounds
Why chosen: Captured the Class AAA state title with a 5-3 win over Knox Halls' Chase Brown.
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Daniel Bradford
Blackman, Sr.
Weight class: 138 pounds
Why chosen: Won two championship round matches and one consolation round at the state tournament. Won the region title.
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Daniel Derryberry
Smyrna, Sr.
Weight class: 145 pounds
Why chosen: Won two consolation rounds at the state tournament after placing third in the region.
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Michael Moultry
Siegel, Sr.
Weight class: 152 pounds
Why chosen: Earned a medal at state, capturing third overall. Finished second in the region tournament.
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Ryder Gebhardt
Oakland, Sr.
Weight class: 160 pounds
Why chosen: Won a championship round and two consolation rounds at the state tournament after winning the region title.
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Landon Fowler
Blackman, Jr.
Weight class: 170 pounds
Why chosen: Captured his first state title, defeating Bearden's Max Grayson 12-5 in the finals. Won the region title.
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Christian Salter
Siegel, Sr.
Weight class: 182 pounds
Why chosen: Captured his first state title, edging William Blount's Dawson Satterfield 5-4 in the finals. Won the region title.
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Ryan Heath
Blackman, Sr.
Weight class: 195 pounds
Why chosen: Won two championship round matches at the state tournament after capturing the region title.
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Branson Boone
Oakland, Sr.
Weight class: 220 pounds
Why chosen: Medaled at the state tournament, finishing fifth after winning two championship round matches. Won the region title.
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Jamil Hughes
Blackman, Sr.
Weight class: 285 pounds
Why chosen: Won two championship round matches at the state tournament after finishing second in the region.
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SECOND TEAM
106 pounds: Gabe Pennington, Eagleville, Fr.
113 pounds: Tyler Vanderheyden, Oakland, Fr.
120 pounds: David Medina, Riverdale, So.
126 pounds: Kalani Meckes, Stewarts Creek, Jr.
132 pounds: Wyatt McLemore, Eagleville, Fr.
138 pounds: Andrew Farrar, Oakland, Jr.
145 pounds: Vincent Theus, Riverdale, So.
152 pounds: Jalen Brown, Blackman, Jr.
160 pounds: Anthony Gomez, Blackman, So.
170 pounds: Connor Coughran, Oakland, Sr.
182 pounds: Spencer Layne, Blackman, Jr.
195 pounds: Luis Ramirez, Riverdale, Jr.
220 pounds: Bowdy Boyce, Blackman, So.
285 pounds: Jackson Riley, Oakland, So.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ronnie Bray
Blackman
Why chosen: Led the Blaze to a second straight traditional region title while also taking the squad back to the state team tournament. Had 10 wrestlers reach the state individual tournament.