Blackman wrestlers earned an historic 10th trip to the TSSAA State Duals last night with a dominating win over Tullahoma in the Region 5 Dual Championships.
The Blaze defeated the WIldcats 48-32 in the finals after winning the semi-final by forfeit over District 9 runner-up Warren County. Warren County did not travel as they reported that many of their wrestlers tested positive for flu this week and the team was exposed.
In the other semi-final, Tullahoma defeated Stewarts Creek in what proved to be a very exciting and entertaining match. That dual went to the wire with Tullahoma edging out the Red Hawks 33-32.
In the championship match, the Blaze were truly fired up and the team wrestled with ferocity and purpose. “I’m very proud of the intensity and drive that we showed,” Coach Ronnie Bray said. “We need to carry that over to the state duals.”
All of Blackman’s wins were pins. (Alex Rose (113), Liam Elam(126), Austin Marlatt(132), Aaron Fisher(145), Jalen Brown(152), Anthony Gomez(160), Landon Fowler(170), and Brooks Sacharczyk(182))
Even in the losses, Blackman was tough. Peyton Adams held off an absolute onslaught from Tullahoma senior Cal Rogers and only surrendered one bonus point by avoiding a pin. Evan Smart fought off his back and only gave up one bonus point as well to Tullahoma’s Rhett Birdsong.
Once Blackman secured the win, Coach Bray forfeited the remaining matches to help both teams stay healthy and prepare for state.
The TSSAA State Duals are February 1-2 at the Ag Expo Center in Franklin. Only 16 teams out of about 90 or so get the opportunity to compete at the state duals! Make sure you make plans to come support the Blaze!!!
Want to see some pictures? Click HERE
Finals Results
113: Alex Rose (BLAC) over Dallen Nunley (TULL) (Fall 0:23)
120: Cal Rogers (TULL) over Peyton Adams (BLAC) (MD 13-5)
126: Liam Elam (BLAC) over Cole Morse (TULL) (Fall 0:33)
132: Austin Marlatt (BLAC) over Christopher McCreary (TULL) (Fall 0:13)
138: Rhett Birdsong (TULL) over Evan Smart (BLAC) (MD 8-0)
145: Aaron Fisher (BLAC) over Landen Willette (TULL) (Fall 2:49)
152: Jalen Brown (BLAC) over Xavier Sanson (TULL) (Fall 1:21)
160: Anthony Gomez (BLAC) over Samuel Poteat (TULL) (Fall 0:40)
170: Landon Fowler (BLAC) over Justin Scott (TULL) (Fall 1:07)
182: Brooks Sacharczyk (BLAC) over Hunter Parks (TULL) (Fall 0:39)
195: Christian Jordan (TULL) over (BLAC) (For.)
220: Jimmy Pearson (TULL) over (BLAC) (For.)
285: Tydrell Mitchell (TULL) over (BLAC) (For.)
106: Hayden Malone (TULL) over (BLAC) (For.)
Semi-Final Results
106: Hayden Malone (TULL) over Jermiah Monk (STCR) (Fall 2:55)
113: Tyler South (STCR) over Dallen Nunley (TULL) (Fall 1:31)
120: Kenney Harless (STCR) over Cal Rogers (TULL) (Dec 1-0)
126: Ethan Syler (STCR) over Cole Morse (TULL) (Dec 9-7)
132: Jacob Jones (STCR) over Christopher McCreary (TULL) (Dec 9-5)
138: Kalani Meckes (STCR) over Rhett Birdsong (TULL) (Dec 3-1)
145: Landen Willette (TULL) over Mokhtar Abdulkarim (STCR) (Fall 0:39)
152: Trevor South (STCR) over Aaron Champion (TULL) (MD 15-2)
160: Chavez Harden (TULL) over Maiciah Watkins (STCR) (Dec 14-9)
170: Alek Wells (STCR) over John Smith (TULL) (MD 14-5)
182: Trinton Partin (TULL) over Jacob Knight (STCR) (Fall 3:16)
195: Brian Nelms (TULL) over Nolan Johnson (STCR) (Fall 3:34)
220: Jimmy Pearson (TULL) over Parker Bohannon (STCR) (Fall 1:10)
285: Dakota Goings (STCR) over (TULL) (For.)