Franklin, TN – The 2025 TSSAA State Wrestling Championship is in the books, and the Blackman Wrestling team put on an impressive showing. With five wrestlers qualifying for the boys’ tournament, the Blaze walked away with two runners-up, a fourth-placer, and a ninth-place team finish in a field dominated by powerhouse programs. Blackman’s 56.5 points secured their spot as the only Rutherford County school in the top 15, a testament to the team’s grit and determination throughout another outstanding season.
Medalists Recap
Blackman’s three state medalists showcased their talent and heart, battling some of the state’s toughest competitors and winning some very tough and competitive matches. As many before can attest, winning a state medal is no easy feat. It takes a ton of work, dedication, tenacity and grit…. and a little good luck too.
Landon McLean (AA 144) – 2nd Place
Junior Landon McLean finished the season at 32-13 and came agonizingly close to a state title. McLean dominated early rounds, earning a major decision over Richard Watterson of Dobyns Bennett and a technical fall against Nolensville’s Cruz Pryor. In the semifinals, he demolished Oakland’s Nathan Barbee with a 15-7 major decision to punch his ticket to the finals. Though he fell to Independence’s Riddeck Romano by fall in the championship match, McLean’s run was a highlight of the tournament, and a testament to hard work bringing positive results.
Blaise Meeks (AA 190) – 2nd Place
Senior Blaise Meeks capped his high school career with a stellar 34-6 record and a runner-up finish. Meeks was a force, opening with a technical fall over Page’s Wyatt Elder and following it with another tech fall against Bartlett’s Jayden Ayala. He edged West Creek’s Standford Thompson in a thrilling finish in the semifinals to reach the finals, where he faced Nolensville’s Chase Mayes. Despite a hard-fought effort, Meeks dropped an 18-4 major decision to a very tough opponent. His 21.0 team points underscored his leadership and skill.
Andrew Workman (AA 120) – 4th Place
Sophomore Andrew Workman battled his way to a 45-5 record and a fourth-place finish, adding 14.0 points to Blackman’s score. His 120 pound bracket was most certainly one of the most difficult in the tourney. Workman started strong with an 11-4 decision over Houston’s Daniel Guerrero but fell to Science Hill’s Chase Smalling in a close match in the quarterfinals. Undeterred, he roared back through the consolation bracket, securing wins over Vaughn Pulitzer, Nycco Jones by fall (4:05), and Reed Loeffel (1-0). In the third-place match, Ravenwood’s Ryan Dietrick won by major decision, but Workman’s battled through to the conclusion and his resilience and toughness shone through.
State Qualifiers Show Heart
Two Blackman wrestlers qualified for the boys’ state tournament but fell short of the podium. Sophomore Germaia Ewida (AA 106) finished his season at 34-14, dropping tight decisions to Wilson Central’s Wyatt Nichols and Rossview’s Aiden Cano. Senior Isaiah Thephavong (AA 138) wrapped up at 25-13, facing tough losses to Dobyns Bennett’s Derek Winseman and Independence’s Murk Romano. Both guys gave their all, endured injury and pain, but most importantly gained priceless experience and life lessons against elite competition. It’s tough to see seniors end their career without realizing their goals.
A Stellar Season for the Blaze
Blackman’s ninth-place finish in the boys’ state tournament—behind juggernauts like Cleveland (244.5 points) and Nolensville (124.0)—marked a very successful year for the program. The Blaze graduates 13 seniors last season and competing in very large Region 3 alongside Region 2 perennial powerhouses Cleveland and Bradley made the road to state a gauntlet, yet Blackman rose to the challenge. The team’s heart has been evident, though several wrestlers narrowly missed qualifying for state in the brutal sectional. Those who didn’t make it still played a crucial role in pushing the team forward all season long. There are 80 large AA schools in Tennessee with wrestling. Being in the top 10 is a remarkable feat.
This year marks the another milestone for the Blaze. Blackman has had at least one state finalist in 15 out of the last 16 seasons (no finalists in 2013). Not bad!!!
Girls Wrestling Adds to the Legacy
The Blackman girls’ team also made waves, finishing sixth in the state with 64.0 points, behind top teams like West Creek (152.0) and Cleveland (142.5). Four girls brought home medals: Joy Younan (100) took fifth with a 31-8 record, Shai Ring (132) earned fourth at 33-9, Ali Bryant (145) also placed fourth with a 29-5 record, and Jonna Patterson (185) secured fifth at 27-7. Sophomore Kinzley Johnson (138) finished her 26-8 season without placing but competed hard. Together, they showcased the growing strength of Blackman’s girls’ program under Head Coach Andi Jones. Congratulations!!
Saying Goodbye to Seniors
This year’s tournament marked the final high school matches for three seniors: Blaise Meeks, Isaiah Thephavong, and Afraim Ewida. Meeks leaves as a state runner-up and a cornerstone of the program, while Thephavong and Ewida (brother of Germaia) brought tremendous tenacity and spirit to the mats. It is a truly special opportunity and privilege to see and be a part of how young men develop during these formative years. Their contributions will be missed, but their legacy will inspire the next generation of Blaze wrestlers.
Community Support Shines
The stands were packed with Blackman teammates, parents, and fans, creating an electric atmosphere. A special moment came with the presence of Isaac Ortiz, who suffered a serious injury weeks ago but showed up to cheer on his squad. The turnout reflected the tight-knit Blackman wrestling family and their unwavering support.
Coaches’ Corner
At the end of every season, coaches are always a mixed bad of emotions when it comes to discussing performance and the future. While ecstatic about some parts, there is deep despair in others. Wrestling can bring the highest of highs and the lowest of lows for certain.
This wrestling season was nothing short of extraordinary, as our coaches so powerfully expressed. Coach Apland captured the essence of the journey, noting, ‘Without struggle, there is no progress. These kids battled day in and day out and got absolutely what they deserved—all earned. These are the memories that will last them a lifetime.’
Coach Sean echoed this pride, saying, ‘It was an outstanding year, and I feel so lucky to have been a part of these kids’ lives. This team has been a testament to what can happen when you put focus, hard work, and dedication together. They’ve grown so much, not only as wrestlers but as young men ready to reach their next goal. I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved together as a team. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.’
Coach Dane rounded out the sentiment, reflecting, ‘What an unbelievable year. I got to watch a lot of kids get better at wrestling, but also get better at life. I believe our kids grew so much this year spiritually, mentally, and emotionally—and that’s better than any medal they could receive. I love these kids for all the hard work they put in day in and day out. I love these coaches for their dedication. So happy to be a part of something amazing.’
And finally Coach Heathcott’s sentiment seems to sum it up the best, “The growth our boys showed this season was a joy to witness. They poured in all the work, endured the pain, and made the sacrifices required. Sometimes, you can give everything to chase a goal and still fall short—there’s no guarantee you’ll get what you strive for. But true champions rise again and keep grinding. Our boys embodied that resilience all season long. Greatness isn’t born in the comfort zone. We’ll keep pushing forward and get back to work. Next season starts today. #lovemyseniors”
Together, these voices celebrate a season of grit, growth, and unforgettable bonds. Go Blaze!”
Bright Future Ahead
With club wrestling thriving in the area, Blackman’s pipeline is brimming with talent. The returning core, including McLean and Workman, will look to build on this year’s success and chase even bigger goals in 2026. The Blaze are poised to keep climbing the ranks in Tennessee wrestling.
Congratulations to the Blackman High School wrestling team—boys and girls—on an incredible season and a memorable showing at the TSSAA State Championships!
The Blaze faithful can’t wait to see what’s next.