Mavericks sending six to Franklin for TSSAA State Championship meet
Anderson County’s Emery Presson won by technical fall over Austin Osborn of Sullivan East at Saturday’s sectional meet at Gibbs High School. Presson placed third for the Mavericks and scored 15.5 points for the team. (photo:Tony Cox )
The Mavericks competed at the Region 2-A Championships Saturday at Gibbs High School in Corryton.
ACHS had six athletes qualify for this week’s State Championships at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin. Competition opens Friday and concludes Saturday on the state’s grand stage.
The wrestlers heading to the state championships will be no strangers to the venue as the Mavericks competed in the State Duals earlier this month. Additionally, Josh Bingham (who competes in the 165-pound weight class) and Ayden Derry (190 pounds) were at the State Championships last year.
Bingham and Derry will be joined in the Midstate by teammates Tripp Haire (113 pounds), Emery Presson (144), Morgan Dye (215) and Eli Bratton (285).
Anderson County might’ve had two other qualifiers if not for injuries as Max Wolfley and Evan Prewitt, who have posted big victories for the Mavs this season, had their respective campaigns come to an early end this year.
“We had six guys qualify for state and I think we could’ve had a couple more if not for injuries,” ACHS coach Matt Slone said. “We’ve been there for the big schools (Class AA), and the big schools (division) is brutal.
“I think it will be tough in the small schools (division), but I’m expecting us to compete and we’re hoping to get some guys on the podium.”
The Mavs had a second-place finisher at the sectionals as senior Dye was runner-up in his weight class after losing the title bout by just one point.
Haire, Presson, Bingham and Derry all finished third in their respective weight divisions, while Bratton finished fourth in his bracket