Wrestling: Nolensville edges Page in home opener

NOLENSVILLE — Zach Sinner admitted Tuesday night that he’s still simply trying to get back into wrestling shape. 

The Nolensville High School junior, who placed fourth at the state tournament a year ago, managed to pin Page freshman Ethan Ward in the 195-pound weight class late in the first round as the Knights secured a 41-36 victory over the Patriots in a tri-match Tuesday. Nolensville also picked up a 63-10 win over Dickson County. 

“I know I need to get more conditioned, but it was a pretty awesome night,” said Sinner, whose fall and the subsequent forfeit at 220 capped a Nolensville rally. “I tried to shoot on him a couple times and score some points, and I ended up holding him down for the win. 

“I think it really helped out my confidence, and this team win is a boost for us as well.” 

Page had built a 30-18 lead heading into 160 after Josh Ward battled past Chase Mayes for a 9-6 decision in a tight match. 

As Sinner, his brother, Hayden (182), and several others are regaining their wrestling shape after football season, Page is still missing five or six gridiron grapplers since the Patriots are playing for the football program’s first state championship Friday. 

Page coach Benji Gray had to get creative with his lineup, including plugging in three freshman. 

“We have some guys that have to just step up and fill in for us,” said Gray, whose team notched a 47-18 win over Dickson County earlier Tuesday. “I think we have formed a very good rivalry with Nolensville … but they knew we needed that at 195 though to win since we don’t have a 220 right now.” 

After Ward’s win at 152, Nolensville posted back-to-back victories at 160 and 170. Tate Crowell — who introduces himself fully before each match as Tate Edward Crowell — pinned Patriot freshman Elijiah Stanley at 160, and William Pryer followed by posting a technical fall over Brooks Garner to pull the home team within 30-29 after 11 weights. 

Page’s returning state qualifier Will Parcel provided a late pin of Hayden Sinner at 182 to regain a 36-29 edge to set the stage for Zach Sinner. 

“Page is always strong, and we knew it was going to be close tonight,” Nolensville coach Johnnie Melzoni said. “He’s got some studs on that team, but the competition is great.” 

Melzoni said his team is still working to get into better wrestling condition, all the while continually preparing for the future. He said more than 100 kids are in the local youth club, while his younger wrestlers have been busy in JV tournaments as well. 

“I’m just super pumped about where we are as a program,” Melzoni said. “We got a lot of work to get in, but to have a super close match and grind it out — it definitely gives them a little more energy.” 

Sophomore Dakota Pattee, who placed third at 126 state last year, picked up two pins on the day for the Knights. The 145-pounder stopped Page’s Andrew Giannotti in under a minute after an early takedown and also had a first-round fall against Dickson County’s Grant Christian. 

“I think this is a major boost for our team,” Zach Sinner said. “I think we can be pretty good this season. I’m excited for it.” 

Nolensville opened the season with wins over Rockvale and Stewarts Creek last week. The Knights face Glencliff and Sycamore on the road Thursday before a busy weekend in Clarksville at the Coyote Classic at West Creek. 

The 30-team tournament will also include Williamson County foes Franklin, Independence and Centennial. 

Page sits at 2-2 overall heading into a tri-match with Franklin and Hillsboro Thursday. 

The Patriots will head to Powell in East Tennessee Saturday after hanging in Chattanooga Friday in support of the football team, which also faces Powell in the Class 5A championship Friday night. 

Powell wrestling coach Caleb Leonard won a state title in 2009 when Gray was coaching at Knoxville Halls. 

“It should be a lot of fun,” Gray said of the busy weekend. 

Nolensville def. Page, 41-36 

285 – Nathan Montpool, NHS, won by forfeit; 106 – Tyson Schmidt, PHS, won by forfeit; 113 – Gabriel Ribeiro, NHS, pinned Cosmo O’Neal, 2:59; 120 – Charles Strasser, PHS, dec. Peyton Bares, 6-5; 126 – Thomas Brown, PHS, pinned Alexander Hardin, 4:38; 132 – Cannon Drake, PHS, pinned Korbin VanNidan, 1:14; 138 – Grant Hawkinson, PHS, pinned Kenneth O’Neal, 3:13; 145 – Dakota Pattee, NHS, pinned Andrew Giannotti, 0:56; 152 – Josh Ward, PHS, dec. Chase Mayes, 9-6; 160 – Tate Crowell, NHS, pinned Elijiah Stanley, 1:26; 170 – William Pryer, NHS, tech. fall Brooks Garner, 15-0 (4:00); 182 – Will Parcel, PHS, pinned Hayden Sinner, 5:28; 195 – Zach Sinner, NHS, pinned Ethan Ward, 1:36; 220 – Mark Matta, NHS, won by forfeit. 

Chase Mayes of Nolensville secures a 12-7 decision over Jayden Sutton of Dickson County at 145 pounds —> pic.twitter.com/RzK4VXlR7e

— Charles Pulliam (@cspulliam) December 1, 2021

Nolensville def. Dickson County, 63-10 

220 – Mark Matta, NHS, won by forfeit;  285 – Nathan Montpool, NHS, won by forfeit; 106 – double forfeit; 113 – Gabriel Ribeiro, NHS, won by forfeit; 120 – Kayden Quillen, DCHS, pinned Payton Bares, 2:53; 126 – Alexander Hardin, NHS, won by forfeit; 132 – Korbin VanNidan, NHS, won by forfeit; 138 – Kenneth O’Neal, NHS, won by forfeit; 145 – Chase Mayes, NHS, dec. Jayden Sutton, 12-7; 152 – Dakota Pattee, NHS, pinned Grant Christian, 1:55; 160 – Tate Crowell, NHS, won by forfeit; 170 – John Campbell, DCHS, maj. dec. William Pryer, 12-0; 182 – Hayden Sinner, NHS, won by forfeit; 195 – Zach Sinner, NHS, won by forfeit.  

Page def. Dickson County, 47-18

195 – Ethan Ward, PHS, won by forfeit; 220 – double forfeit; 285 – double forfeit; 106 – Tyson Schmidt, PHS, won by forfeit; 113 – Cosmo O’Neal, PHS, won by forfeit; 120 – Kayden Quillen, DCHS, pinned Nathan Simpson, 0:59; 126 – Thomas Brown, PHS, won by forfeit; 132 – Grant Hawkinson, PHS, won by forfeit; 138 – Cannon Drake, PHS, won by forfeit; 145 – Jayden Sutton, DCHS, pinned Andrew Giannotti, 2:48; 152 – Josh Ward, PHS, pinned Grant Christian, 2:00; 160 – double forfeit; 170 – Aidon Owens, DCHS, pinned Reese Olsen, 0:35; 182 – Will Parcel, PHS, tech. fall John Campbell, 22-7 (4:44).