Kingston Springs, TN – The regular season may have ended, but the fire within the Blackman Blaze wrestling team continues to burn bright! Today, a determined squad of eight freshmen and sophomores traveled to Harpeth High School to ignite the mats at the NSHCA Freshman/Sophomore State Championships. This off-season competition offered a gritty proving ground for our young talent, and the results speak for themselves—three champions, two runner-ups, a third, a fifth, and a seventh-place finish. More than just hardware, this experience is fuel for next season’s fire.
The Blackman Wrestling Club sent Kael Denton (Fr., 113), Peyton Pickens (Fr., 138), Eli Goodin (Fr., 150), Trevor Steffy (Fr., 157), Germaia Ewida (So., 113), Mason Davison (So., 113), Adonijah Hicks (So., 144), and Ethan Clark (So., 165) to battle it out against some of the state’s toughest underclassmen. The day was a mix of dominance and hard-fought lessons, with our wrestlers racking up a combined 96 team points across their brackets.
Leading the charge were our trio of champions. Freshman Peyton Pickens stormed through the 138-pound bracket, pinning his first opponent in 36 seconds, gutting out a sudden victory thriller, and capping it with a tech fall and a 16-2 major decision to claim first. At 150, freshman Eli Goodin was untouchable, stacking up falls, tech falls, a tiebreaker win, and a 20-7 major to finish 7-0 and take gold. Trevor Steffy, another freshman, owned the 157-pound class, winning in sudden victory, dropping an 11-1 major, and sealing his title with a tech fall.
Sophomores Germaia Ewida (113) and Ethan Clark (165) came agonizingly close to the top spot, both earning second. Ewida notched a pin and two decisions before falling 7-4 in a tight final, while Clark rebounded from an opening loss with four straight wins—including two falls, a tech fall, and a forfeit—only to settle for silver. Mason Davison (So., 113) fought his way to third with a 15-0 tech fall and a relentless effort, while freshman Kael Denton (113) scrapped to fifth, highlighted by a 7-5 decision win. Sophomore Adonijah Hicks (144) rounded out the group, taking seventh after a tough bracket.
Coach Clayton Apland couldn’t hide his pride: “This off-season work is invaluable. These kids stepped up against top competition, and every match—win or lose—is building them into better wrestlers for next year. Peyton, Eli, and Trevor showed they can dominate, while Germaia, Ethan, Mason, Kael, and Adonijah proved they’ve got the heart to keep grinding.”
The coaches are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication displayed by all eight Blaze wrestlers. This off-season competition is a testament to their commitment to excellence and their unwavering pursuit of improvement. Facing diverse styles and pressure-packed moments, our wrestlers are sharpening their skills and toughness. As they head back to the practice room, these eight are setting the tone for a Blackman squad ready to make noise next season. Keep an eye on these names—they’re just getting started.
GO BLAZE!!!!