Top 100 Soddy Daisy: A Day of Resilience and Strong Performances

The Top 100 Soddy Daisy wrestling tournament, held on January 25, 2025, at Soddy Daisy High School in Tennessee, featured athletes from across the region. While the tournament's rescheduling posed challenges for some, it also gave many young wrestlers a chance to showcase their grit and determination.

Blackman Wrestling Club sent several competitors to the event, with standout performances from Karson McCrary and Skye Hancock, who both fought fiercely through tough brackets to reach the podium.

In the MS 152 weight class, Karson McCrary demonstrated why he's been a force on the mat this season. His journey to third place began with a tough opening loss to top-rated Ruger Pennington (Big Red Wrestling Club) by tech fall. However, McCrary didn’t let that setback deter him. He quickly bounced back, racking up a string of wins in the consolation rounds, including falls over Landry Bradburn (Alcoa) and Weston Satterfield (Smoky Bear Wrestling Club) in quick succession.

His dominant performance continued with a tech fall win over Jeremiah Hall (Eagle Talon Wrestling) in the consolation semifinals. In a hard-fought match for third place, McCrary secured a major decision win over Marcus Torvik (Williamson County Wrestling Club) with a score of 11-3, avenging a loss from Music City Nationals earlier this month. Despite falling short in his match with Bryson Burke (Elite Wrestling Academy) in the second-place match, McCrary’s determination and resilience stood out as he finished with 17.5 team points.

Coach Troy Steffy praised McCrary’s performance, especially given the tough draw and back-to-back matches. “Karson has wrestled tough all season. Today was no different,” Steffy noted, highlighting McCrary’s strength in bouncing back from adversity.

In the Girls (6th-8th) 140 weight class, Skye Hancock proved her toughness by battling through tough competitors to reach the finals. Hancock’s tournament began with a dominant performance, pinning Charlia Watts (Alcoa) in just 40 seconds. She followed that up with a 3-0 decision victory over Hope Blake (Cleveland Wrestling Club) in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, Hancock faced a challenging opponent in Kaylee Matchette (White Buffalo WA). Despite facing adversity, Hancock managed to stay composed, turning the tide in her favor to pin Matchette in the third period. Her performance was a testament to her physical style of wrestling, something that her opponents may not have expected.

In the championship match, Hancock faced Alice Gizzi (Williamson County Wrestling Club) but was pinned in 56 seconds. Despite this, Hancock's performance in the tournament earned her a well-deserved second-place finish.

Coach Steffy was impressed with Hancock’s tenacity. “Skye is a tough girl, and I think she wrestles a much more physical style than some opponents expect,” he said, referring to Hancock's ability to overcome tough situations, especially her comeback in the semifinals.

Though Karson McCrary and Skye Hancock were the primary standouts, other Blackman Wrestling Club competitors also fought hard in their respective divisions. Kyrie Ewing (TOT 45) demonstrated resilience with strong victories before being eliminated in the consolation rounds. Dawson Kamm (TOT 45) also showed promise with a solid win by tech fall, though he faced some tough competition in the quarterfinals and consolation rounds.

Coach Steffy reflected on the event as a valuable learning experience, despite the challenges brought on by the rescheduled date. “The kids that came got a ton of good mat time, and that is what we are looking for at this point in the year, regardless of the outcome,” he said.

The Top 100 Soddy Daisy tournament showcased the strength and resilience of young wrestlers, particularly Blackman Wrestling Club athletes like Karson McCrary and Skye Hancock. While the competition was tough, both wrestlers displayed impressive grit and determination, earning podium finishes that reflect their growth as competitors. With more tournaments ahead, these young athletes are poised to continue making an impact as the season progresses.

Blackman Wrestling Club Dominates Wildcats Developmental Tournament

Wrestlers from Blackman Wrestling Club showcased their impressive skills at the Wildcat Developmental Tournament held at Wilson Central High School. The competition saw several standout performances, with multiple athletes securing podium finishes and contributing valuable team points.

The Blackman Wrestling Club earned numerous top finishes across various age and weight divisions. Some notable results include:

• Alaura Kenny (Midget 70-71): Kenny dominated her division, earning a perfect record and scoring 20.0 team points. She claimed victory in each of her three matches by fall, including a quick win in just 12 seconds in the opening round.
• Corbin Quint (JR 75-79): Quint was equally impressive, securing a first-place finish with a perfect 3-0 record, all victories coming by fall. He finished with 20.0 team points, including a rapid win over Knox Alexander in 31 seconds.
• Jax Blissard (JR 80-81): Blissard mirrored his teammate's success, finishing in first place and earning 20.0 team points. He secured all three victories by fall, with his longest match lasting just 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
• Gunnar Kenny (JR 84-85): A key contributor to Blackman Wrestling Club’s success, Kenny won all three of his matches, including a tech fall in Round 2. He finished with 19.5 team points and earned the gold medal in his division.
• Jericho Shearon (JR 89-91): Shearon was dominant in his division, finishing first with 19.0 team points. He won his first two matches by tech fall and clinched his final victory by fall in just 46 seconds.
• Toby Anderson (MS 131-136): Anderson earned a first-place finish in his weight class, scoring 20.0 team points. His three victories, all by fall, showcased his ability to dominate on the mat.

Other standout performances included David Rose (1st place, MS 107-110), Braden Morris (1st place, MS 89-96), and Luke Fisher (1st place, MS 134-144). These athletes helped solidify Blackman Wrestling Club's position as a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.

While many Blackman wrestlers found success, the competition remained fierce throughout the day. Some notable runners-up included Jaxson Bray (2nd place, JR 93-100), Maurice Chatman (2nd place, MS 84-90), and Aziah Lopez (2nd place, MS 92-95), who all fought hard in their respective divisions.

Other Blackman wrestlers who earned valuable points for their team included Easton Goodin (2nd place, JR 101-110) and Brooks Morris (2nd place, MS 111-115). Their performances were pivotal in helping the club maintain a competitive edge in a high-pressure environment.

Coach Austin Wells expressed satisfaction with his team’s efforts:

“We looked good today. I believe we won 75% of our matches. At least that is what I was told that Trackwrestling statistics said, but it makes sense because I saw an incredible amount of Blackman kids getting their hands raised. It’s been a bit of an odd season this year, but I really believe our wrestlers are starting to peak at the right time for the club to be in the hunt at the end of this season."

With a strong showing at the Wildcat Developmental Tournament, Blackman Wrestling Club is positioning itself for a successful remainder of the season. As the team continues to build momentum, expect even more strong performances from this talented group of wrestlers.

Blackman Wrestling Club Shines at TNAAU Beginner's State Championship in Chattanooga

While Saturday was a productive day for the club, Blackman Wrestling Club also delivered an impressive performance at the TNAAU Beginner's State Championship held on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Chattanooga Christian School in Chattanooga, TN. The event, featuring a diverse range of talented young wrestlers, proved to be a testing ground for Blackman’s athletes, with multiple wrestlers earning podium finishes.

Blackman Wrestling Club celebrated multiple champions at the event, with several standout performances that highlighted the strength and skill of the team.

Kyrie Ewing was one of the stars of the day, securing 1st place in the TOT 45 weight class. Kyrie's dominance was clear as he claimed victory in every match, including impressive wins by fall and decision. In the final, he pinned Benjamin Thacker of HillTopper Wrestling Club in just 1:39, capping off a stellar tournament with a gold medal.

Phoenix Smith also brought home a championship in the JR 130 weight class. Phoenix's performance was flawless, securing major decision wins and a fall en route to the title. His win by fall in the third round over Caleb Grass (OLPH) was the highlight of his day, leading him to the top of the podium.

Luke Fisher added to Blackman’s success, claiming 1st place in the MS 140 weight class. Luke's steady performance throughout the tournament showcased his dominance, including a 5-2 decision win in the quarterfinals, a major decision victory in the semifinals, and a 4-0 decision in the final against Michael Derlinga of The SWARM Wrestling Club to secure the championship.

The girls’ division saw outstanding performances from Blackman wrestlers as well. Greighlyn Gamlin won 1st place in the Girls (K-2) 58 weight class, winning by major decision and fall in the early rounds before finishing with a 6-0 decision victory in the final. Nadya Flores triumphed in the Girls (3rd-5th) 112 weight class, showcasing her dominance with multiple falls and a major decision to claim the top spot.

In addition to the champions, Blackman saw several wrestlers earn podium finishes in other weight classes:

• Trenton Reams placed 3rd in the TOT 50 category after battling through some tough matches, including a final loss and a fall in the 2nd-place match.
• Brody Goins brought home a 2nd-place finish in the JR 80 category, showcasing solid victories along the way but falling to Owen Waterbuey of from Memphis in the finals.
• Rahji Barbosa placed 2nd in the JR 175 category after some tough competition, including a loss to Knox Hitson in the semifinal but finishing strong with a fall in the consolation rounds.
• Sev Gillis fought hard to earn 4th place in the Bantam 45 category, overcoming some tough opponents in the consolation rounds before falling in the 3rd-place match.

Coach Nico Revell praised his team’s efforts, emphasizing the toughness of the competition despite the name "Beginner's State." He said, “We had a lot of kids show up for this tournament and medal. It can be a bit deceptive because someone might hear the name ‘Beginner’s State’ and assume that there isn’t some really tough wrestling happening, but there really is some tough wrestling here, and there were more than several matches that looked like medal round matches at the true State Championships. So we are proud of our kids for showing up and handling their business.”

Coach Sebron Colson shared similar thoughts, highlighting the team's strong showing: “I think we had 6 champions and 6 more make the finals or place 2nd. There will always be room for improvement, but that’s a pretty nice day. There wasn’t a lot of easy here today.”

The Blackman Wrestling Club's performance at the TNAAU Beginner's State Championship is a testament to the talent and hard work of its wrestlers. With multiple champions and strong finishes across a variety of weight classes, the team demonstrated their skill, resilience, and commitment to success. The future looks bright for the Blackman Wrestling Club as they continue to grow and excel in the sport.

Blackman Wrestling Club Excels at Mt. Juliet Beginners Tournament on January 26, 2025

In addition to the success at the Beginner’s State Championship on Sunday, Blackman Club wrestlers also competed at the Mt. Juliet Beginners Tournament held on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Mt. Juliet High School in Mt. Juliet, TN. The event featured competitive matchups in various youth wrestling categories, and Blackman’s wrestlers proved they are a force to be reckoned with, securing multiple podium finishes and demonstrating strong performances across the board.

Dawson Kamm had an outstanding tournament, clinching 1st place in the TOT 42-45 category. Dawson was dominant throughout, winning all of his matches by fall and tech fall. He started the tournament with a quick pin over Dalton Griffin of Lawrence County Wrestling Club (Fall 0:49), followed it up with a tech fall over Hagen Gatlin of Williamson County Wrestling Club (TF 19-4), and finished strong with a quick pin in 0:31 over Bobby Dean McAllister of MC Wrestling Huskies.

Ivan Barrett also earned a 1st-place finish in the Midget 56-57 category. Ivan’s path to victory included impressive falls over Thayer Jones of Franklin Wrestling Club (Fall 2:43) and Easton Duffy of Stewarts Creek Wrestling Club (Fall 0:48), securing the gold medal and proving his skill and determination.

Several wrestlers from Blackman Wrestling Club earned second-place finishes in their respective categories:

• Knox Costley placed 2nd in the Bantam 57-58 category after a challenging round 1 loss by fall to Easton Pflieger of Fairview Jackets (Fall 1:14), but bounced back with a quick pin over Zack Adkins of Hendersonville Wrestling Club (Fall 0:16).
• Gabriel Westbrook finished 2nd in the Midget 58-66 category. Gabriel showed great resilience, earning a win by decision over Jahziah James of Columbia Wrestling Club (Dec 5-0) before falling by major decision to Finley Shea of Williamson County Wrestling Club (Maj 9-1) and ending the tournament with a fall over Aiden Grindstaff of Stewarts Creek Wrestling Club (Fall 0:22).
• Corbin Siggal finished 2nd in the MS 85-94 category after a loss by decision to Jaxon Solomon of Spring Hill Mat Dogs (Dec 7-1) in round 1. Corbin bounced back with decision wins over Gavin Lawrence of Fairview Jackets (Dec 11-4) and Matthew Phillips of Franklin Wrestling Club (Dec 7-3).
• Ryker Gower earned 2nd place in the MS 100-106 category. Ryker secured a win by decision over Kameron Wright of Mustang Wrestling Club (Dec 9-6) but suffered a tough fall to Tennyson Cagle of Hendersonville Wrestling Club (Fall 0:29) in round 2. He finished strong with a forfeit win over Elijah Hall of Fairview Jackets.

Jaden Baker earned a 3rd-place finish in the MS 120-129 category, despite a challenging tournament that included two tough falls to Koa Dew of Nolensville Wrestling Club (Fall 1:51) and Kasen Hollaway of Dawgs Wrestling (Fall 0:31). Jaden showed perseverance, securing a tech fall victory over Eli McAllister of Green Hills Hawks Wrestling Club (TF 21-6) in his final match of the day.

Blackman Wrestling Club’s head coach, Cory Watson, expressed his pride in his athletes' efforts at the tournament. “We tell them every day – go compete and have fun. If our wrestlers can put a check next to those two things every week, then they will have an opportunity to accomplish some goals at the end of the season,” he said. “We want them to have fun and enjoy the sport while they are young. It’s a very difficult sport. There isn’t any way to dress it up. Difficult becomes easier to stomach when you’re having fun.”

The Blackman Wrestling Club’s performance during the weekend further solidifies the team’s reputation for excellence and determination. With several wrestlers earning top finishes, the club is continuing to develop its athletes and set the stage for even greater achievements in future competitions. The team’s commitment to skill, resilience, and enjoying the sport of wrestling remains at the core of their success.