Murfreesboro, TN | February 2026
Coming off a strong performance at last weekend’s region tournament, the Blackman Blaze entered Saturday’s sectional with nine qualifiers and high expectations. The new postseason structure—implemented in 2022 and pairing Region 4 with Region 3 – has not been especially kind to Blackman. It is an unforgiving battleground featuring titans like Cleveland and Bradley Central, programs that have rewritten the definition of dominance in Tennessee high school wrestling. Earning even a single sectional title has been a tall order. In fact, since the format change, Blackman had produced just one sectional champion: Josh Chew at 182 pounds in 2022.
That changed in a big way on Saturday afternoon.
The Blaze not only battled their way to a third-place team finish, but also crowned two sectional champions, marking a major milestone for the program and an encouraging sign of what’s to come.
It was a day full of grit, heartbreak, resilience, and breakthrough performances.
Barksdale’s Breakthrough, McLean’s Masterclass
138 – Douglas Barksdale: The Man on a Mission
Some athletes don’t just wrestle the match in front of them—they try to rewrite the story. Barksdale was that guy on Saturday. He opened with a pin, and then avenged a loss from the region tournament, totally controlling his semifinal.
And under the pressure of championship lights, with every eye on the mat, he put a bow on one of the most polished tournament runs of the season, finishing with a 9–2 win and claiming Blackman’s first sectional title since February 2022.
This wasn’t just a victory. It was a statement.
144 – Landon McLean: Pure Dominance
If Barksdale was energy and fire, McLean was ice and precision.
Three matches.
Three tech falls.
Nearly flawless.
In the finals, the Blackman senior dismantled Cleveland’s Blake Congdon—one of the toughest kids in the bracket—securing Blackman’s third ever sectional championship and capping the most dominant sectional performance in Blaze history.
McLean didn’t just win. He took over the building.
Workman, Goodin, and Ewida Punch Their Tickets
120 – Andrew Workman: A Finals Regular
Workman looked unstoppable early—two pins in a combined 87 seconds—before falling to a tough multi-time state champ from Cleveland in the championship match. Even in defeat, he wrestled like a man on a mission, and at 46–3, he’s headed to Chattanooga with real podium ambitions.
150 – Eli Goodin: The Rebound King
After dropping his semifinal to a strong Bradley Central opponent, Goodin bounced back with the toughness that’s become his trademark. He pinned in the consolation semifinal, then tech-falled his way to third. When the lights got brighter, Goodin got sharper.
106 – Germaia Ewida: Making His Mark
Ewida has quietly become one of the most improved wrestlers in the entire program. He battled through a tough bracket, picked up a major decision in the consi semis, and narrowly lost the consi finals securing the fourth and final state-qualifying spot and guaranteeing him a return trip to Franklin.
Wrestlers Who Came Up Just Short
Several Blaze athletes saw their seasons end in heartbreakingly close fashion—and many were just a match or two away from reaching the state tournament.
• 165 – Trevor Steffy (38–13):
A misstep early in the first match derailed what could have been a deep run. Steffy made short work of his next opponent earning a first period pin over McLean from Coffee Co. Then came the blood round—a one-point heartbreaker that ended his tournament. But Steffy’s trajectory hasn’t changed: he’s tough, he’s skilled, and he’s back next year.
• 157 – Peyton Pickens (22–14):
Pickens fought hard all day. He had a very tough Cleveland kid in the first match. He followed that up by earning a lightning fast first-period pin in consolations. In the blood round, a misstep cost him the match. He has a couple of things to clean up but he’s another sophomore with extreme upper-weight potential and should return next season as a major contender.
• 113 – Mason Davison (30–16):
After losing all last season to injury, Davison clawed his way back into form and won a big major decision in the consolations before falling short in the blood round. With another offseason of recovery and mat time, he’ll be a major threat as a senior.
• 132 – Carter Hughes (34–22):
Hughes drew a brutal path, facing the eventual sectional champion from Cleveland in the opener and then dropping an overtime heartbreaker in consolations. He has taken major steps forward and will be in the mix next year.
The fight these wrestlers showed was undeniable. Several are underclassmen, and the experience gained will pay gigantic dividends.
Coach Heathcott on the Blaze Performance
Better People Make Better Teams. And our team is Amazing!
Character- Integrity – Legacy – This is where it all starts and everything we do is centered around these personal values. I am so proud of every single one of our boys for what they give on and off the mat.
Win or Learn, we all know we have a greater purpose and that who we are and what we stand for will far outshine any medal we could ever get.
Five of our wrestlers punched their ticket to state next weekend and will have their opportunity to earn that podium position they have worked so hard for.
Everyone else will be back next season looking for their “Vision Quest.” I look forward to the journey and the grind with them all! I huge shout out to all our amazing parents and Blackman family. You have shown up and supported our boys all year and we are thankful for you all.
#Family #ProudCoach
The Road Ahead
Five Blaze wrestlers are headed to the TSSAA State Tournament.
Two go in as sectional champions.
Three more punched their tickets through grit and resilience.
And next year?
Blackman returns the lion’s share of this roster.
The future isn’t just bright—it’s blinding.
Blaze wrestling is heating up.
And Tennessee wrestling better take notice.
Need to see some amazing photos from this event and more? Check out the PHOTOS page HERE!
Go Blaze!!