City Wrestling

Sunday, April 24, 2011

WRESTLER OF THE YEAR

T.J. DUNCAN

In becoming Tennessee's first five-time wrestling champion, the McCallie 160-pounder posted a 53-1 record, which boosted his career mark to 206-20. The Maryland signee proclaimed his goal as an eighth-grader to win five state titles and followed through. "I don't feel any different," he said after securing number five. "I guess now, though, I'm glad it's over." Duncan was featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" for his accomplishment.

COACH OF THE YEAR

BEN NELSON

In his first year succeeding the retired Jim Morgan, Nelson guided Baylor to the Division II duals and traditional championships. The Red Raiders set a state scoring record with 315 points in the traditional tournament. "In my three years on the staff, that was the guys' most impressive performance," Nelson said. "Top to bottom, it was a great day of wrestling. We had a bunch of kids that worked hard." As he did so well for Morgan for so many years, Schaack Van Deusen assisted Nelson.

FIRST TEAM

Brandon Brunner

BAYLOR

Sophomore/119 pounds

He finished the 2010-11 season with a 28-6 record and his second Division II state championship.

Spencer Craig

BAYLOR

Junior/160 pounds

The three-sport letterman was the state runner-up to Duncan and compiled a 24-5 record.

Stuart Doster

BAYLOR

Senior/140 pounds

The four-time state champion produced a 48-2 record this year and finished 180-16 for his career.

Brett Ervin

SODDY-DAISY

Junior/189 pounds

A two-time region champion, Ervin went 32-11 and placed sixth in the Division I state tournament.

Barrett Gouger

BAYLOR

Junior/285 pounds

The all-state football tackle stepped in at heavyweight, went 32-11 and earned his first state title.

Cole Holloway

BAYLOR

8th-grader/103 pounds

He now is on the five title track after going 40-5 and winning his first state championship.

Michael Hooker

MCCALLIE

Junior/145 pounds

The first Tornado with a 50-win season went unbeaten to his fourth state final and second title.

Campbell Lewis

SODDY-DAISY

Junior/130 pounds

The three-time state champ rebounded from early injuries to finish 36-3 for a 99-12 career record.

Alex Manley

BAYLOR

Senior/135 pounds

The four-time state finalist and two-time champ went 49-1; at 229-14 he leads the state in career wins.

Chase Martino

MCCALLIE

Senior/171 pounds

He won his first state championship and went 47-4, making his career record 191-32.

Turbo Smith

SODDY-DAISY

Junior/152 pounds

The two-time state runner-up was 37-10 this season and is 70-15 for his Trojans career.

Jacob Stevens

SODDY-DAISY

Sophomore/

112 pounds

He won his first region and state titles and went 40-3 for a career record of 91-15.

Billy Swanson

SODDY-DAISY

Junior/215 pounds

The two-time region champ was 39-4 and a state runner-up, and his career record is 105-36.

Zach Watson

BAYLOR

Junior/125 pounds

He won his fourth Division II state title while compiling a 46-2 record for the Red Raiders.

SECOND TEAM

JACK BOONE Notre Dame Junior 119

NIC BULLARD Baylor Junior 189

MATTHEW CATE Baylor Junior 152

ALEX ELSEA McCallie Sophomore 112

ZAC FORDHAM Central Junior 140

LOGAN HENLEY Signal Mountain Senior 135

BLAIKE HENRY Soddy-Daisy Junior 171

JOHN MACKEY Baylor Senior 215

GRAYSON MULLIN Notre Dame Junior 130

BROCK PRESSLEY Signal Mountain Junior 160

ALEX SEELEY Soddy-Daisy Junior 285

LOGAN SHARP Red Bank Junior 145

JONAH SMITH Soddy-Daisy Sophomore 103

ALEX WARD McCallie Junor 125

TEAMS OF THE YEAR

1 BAYLOR

The Red Raiders won the Division II dual and traditional championships and also won the prestigious Southeastern Slam in Atlanta.

2 SODDY-DAISY

The Trojans won region duals and traditional championships and finished third in the state duals and traditional tournaments.

3 CENTRAL

The Purple Pounders won the state A/AA duals championship.

Photos by Allison Carter. Text by Ward Gossett. Layout by Stacey Wysong.