Mavericks secure 8th wrestling crown
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Anderson County’s Tripp Haire won by pin against his Scott opponent in the opening match of Thursday night’s district duals at Anderson County High School. Later in the evening, Haire, a senior, was recognized for his 100th win as a Mavericks wrestler. - Tony Cox
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Anderson County’s Henry Linkes won his opening match against Scott by pin. - Tony Cox
Anderson County High School’s boys wrestling team clinched its eighth district dual title after a busy week of competition.
The Mavericks secured the District 3-A dual meet championship Thursday night at home, defeating Scott in a preliminary match, and topping Gibbs 42-26 in the final.
“This was a total team effort,” Anderson County Coach Matt Slone said.
“We shuffled our lineup around, and we knew the match against Gibbs was going to be tough because they have a great team.
“They’re experienced, and they have one of the best programs around,” he said.
The Mavericks benefitted from key performances by Edmund Presson (132 pounds), who scored a pin against the Eagles; and Josh Bingham, the state’s top-ranked 215-pound wrestler, who moved up to the heavyweight division and won by fall.
Meanwhile, Eli Bratton, who typically competes at 190 pounds, moved up a class and earned a victory despite dealing with an injury.
“We moved Eli to 215, and he won there despite the knee issue, which made things tougher for him,” Slone said.
Max Wolfley added a crucial win at 138 pounds, defeating Brody Ford, a top contender from Gibbs.
With the victory, Anderson County advanced to the Region 2-A duals, hosted by Gibbs in Corryton today.
“I’m happy that we won the district duals; that was one of our goals,” Slone said.
Following their district championship, the Mavericks competed in the Chris Vandergriff Duals on Saturday at Knoxville Halls High School.
Anderson County opened with a 47-12 win over Pigeon Forge. Michael Mattson (113 pounds) and Haire (126) won by forfeit.
Henry Linkes (157), Evan Prewitt (165), Trenton Engle (175), Bingham (215) and Christopher Baldwin (106) all won by fall, while Bratton (190) scored a technical fall.
The Mavericks then fell to David Crockett 56-23.
Bingham, Prewitt and Bratton won by fall, and Zed Houlet (120) earned a technical fall.
Anderson County dropped a 46-24 decision to Upperman.
Prewitt (172), Engle (215) and Bingham won by fall, while Houlet won by forfeit at 121.
Heritage edged the Mavericks 42-35.
Baldwin (107), Linkes (160), Bratton (190) and Bingham (285) secured pins. Haire (133) won by technical fall, and Prewitt earned a win via forfeit.
