Maverick seniors key to 2023-24 successes
The Anderson County High School boys wrestling team recently completed its most- successful season in program history.
The team’s future also is looking positive, as six grapplers made it to the recent TSSAA Class A state championships at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park in Franklin.
The Mavericks also made it to the Class A state duals in Middle Tennessee for the second time in school history. They also won a match at the state duals for the first time ever.
At the individual meet, which was held during the last weekend in February in the Midstate, Anderson County had three of its athletes earn medals.
Josh Bingham (who competes in the 165-pound weight class), Morgan Dye (215 pounds) and Eli Bratton (285) all finished sixth in their respective divisions.
Dye was one of three seniors on the 2023-24 squad, and while he was the lone Maverick senior to place in the state tournament, fellow seniors Kyle Buckner (175 pounds) and Ayden Derry (190) also recently completed their successful respective high school careers.
“Hats off to our seniors,” ACHS Coach Matt Slone said. “They really battled and they were a big reason for our success during the last few years.
“This was no doubt one of our most decorated seasons in our history, We had three guys on the podium at state and we made it to the state duals for the second time in our history and we won our first match this year at the state duals.”
Athletes often battle adversity, no matter their sport, but wrestling can be extremely demanding and sometimes even treacherous.
Dye, Derry and Buckner all battled adversity during their careers.
Dye, who medaled at state despite not being a true 215-pounder, moved up and wrestled at 285 at several points during his senior campaign, where he gave up more weight in bouts against his opponents.
“Morgan fully exceeded our expectations, he just has a lot of heart,” Slone said. “He wrestled at 215 and he wasn’t even a true 215, so he gave up weight there.
“And then, we had him move up to 285 sometimes and sometimes, he gave up more than 50 pounds in some of his matches,”
Derry won more than 100 bouts during his high school career and leaves the program as one of the school’s most decorated athletes as he was a three-time region champion.
“He was just one of those guys who was one of the reasons that our program has been so successful and he won the Bates Classic in Virginia and that’s one of the toughest tournaments and has some of the best wrestlers in the Southeast.”
Buckner will likely be remembered as one of the toughest wrestlers to ever compete on the mats for Anderson County High as he continued to compete despite being often hampered by injuries.
“Kyle has worked so hard and that’s just a testament to his character,” Slone said. “He won the region as a freshman. He’s a leader and he’s always battled through stuff.”
Lady Mavericks had three seniors at regionals: The Lady Mavericks’ program is continuing to grow as girls wrestling continues to grow throughout the area and the state.
ACHS had three seniors wrestle in the regionals early this season. Kennley Reid (138 pounds) won a region match while Emily Fairbank (114) and Brianna Merryfield competed in the region tournament.
