Murfreesboro, TN – On an electrifying evening filled with competitive energy, Blackman High School’s wrestling team traveled across town to face Siegel High School in what proved to be the TSSAA District 8 Championship showdown. Amidst a spirited atmosphere, the Blaze emerged victorious with a decisive 47-27 win, capturing the district title in style.
The match was a battle from start to finish, with both teams displaying their determination and grit. Blackman wrestlers delivered standout performances in key matches, securing the championship and showcasing their depth and talent across weight classes.
Spotlight on Blackman Winners
- Blaise Meeks (190): Set the tone for the Blaze with an explosive victory, pinning his opponent, Noslen Hernandez, in just 17 seconds.
- Germaia Ewida (106): Delivered a strong performance, earning a fall at 2:50 against Martavis Crosby.
- Andrew Workman (120): Demonstrated technical prowess, securing a dominant tech fall victory (20-4) in under three minutes.
- Douglas Barksdale (132): Overpowered Aiden Roberts to win by fall at the 3:02 mark.
- Landon McLean (144): Controlled his match against Malachi Russell, pinning his opponent at 2:33.
- Abraham Nadeau (150): Showed his resilience with a hard-fought fall victory at 3:52 against Collin Chmelik.
- Eli Goodin (157): Made quick work of Kameron Smith, pinning him at 1:27.
- Trevor Steffy (165): Displayed incredible speed and strength, pinning Gideon Fowler in just 56 seconds.
Though Siegel managed to secure victories in several weight classes, Blackman’s depth and skill ultimately secured the team victory. Special recognition to Blackman’s Isaiah Thephavong who put together a great match against 2nd ranked Chase Creque only losing by a close decision.
Coach Heathcott’s Thoughts
Following the victory, Head Coach Heathcott shared his excitement about the team’s performance:
“Our team discussed the possibilities of how this would go down tonight. We weathered the storm that we knew would happen once we got past the 190-pound weight class with Blaise Meeks. All 12 wrestlers (two forfeits) did their job tonight. We are in a good place as we move toward postseason action. All of us coaches are so proud of our boys. The Blackman crowd on the road tonight was electric.
Great night! Back to work.”
Looking Ahead to the Region 4 Duals
With the District 8 Championship in hand, Blackman now turns its attention to the Region 4 Duals. The Blaze will face Oakland High School in the first round on January 23rd. Oakland, the runner-up in District 7, fell to Warren County in their district championship tonight. Should Blackman defeat Oakland, they will square off against Warren County for the Region 4 Championship.
The Blaze are determined to carry their momentum forward as they prepare for another high-stakes competition. The team’s focus and discipline will be key as they aim to secure the region title and advance to the next level.
Good luck to the Blackman Blaze as they continue their journey toward wrestling greatness!
Go Blaze!