State bound
Mavs matmen return to the big show
For the second-consecutive season, the Anderson County High School wrestling team has earned a spot in the Class A state dual championships.
The Mavericks, who will open the state duals on Feb. 1 against title favorite Soddy-Daisy, secured their berth with a 42-33 victory over Greeneville in the sectional duals Friday night.
The championship will take place at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin.
“That was a tough one,” Anderson County Coach Matt Slone said. “It came down to the last match.
“This is the second- straight year we’ve been to the state duals, and it’s the third time in our history,” he said. “We have a tough draw against Soddy-Daisy, which is probably the favorite. But we’re going to go down there, wrestle hard, and see what happens.
“It’s double elimination, so even if we lose the first match, we can fight back and finish third. We’re one of the top eight teams in the state.”
After defeating Greeneville, the Mavericks closed their regular season with a senior night dual, honoring the Class of 2025. Coach Slone noted the seniors’ significant impact.
“They’ve done a lot to change the direction of the program,” he said. “Before they got here, we were competing for district championships. Now, we’re going to state.”
The six seniors include:
• Tripp Haire (126 pounds);
• Emery Presson (150 pounds, sidelined this season due to a knee injury);
• Isaiah Tuckey (165 pounds);
• Joe Rygelski (175 pounds);
• Eli Bratton (190 pounds);
• Josh Bingham (215 pounds, formerly Tennessee’s top-ranked wrestler in his class).
“Since these guys have been here, we’ve had more wrestlers qualify for state, and that’s important,” Slone said.
The Mavericks have enjoyed a strong season, winning their eighth district dual title and advancing to the sectionals after finishing as the regional runner-up.
Anderson County defeated Seymour 51-23 in the regional semifinals before falling to longtime rival Pigeon Forge 44-33 in the championship match.
Against Seymour, Haire and Christopher Baldwin (106 pounds) won by forfeit, while Bratton and Hayden Harrell (144 pounds) secured victories by decision.
Bingham, Aiden Reed (113 pounds), Max Wolfley (138 pounds), and Evan Pruitt all scored pins. Zed Houlet (120 pounds) won by technical fall, and Henry Linkes earned a major decision.
In the regional title match against Pigeon Forge, Bratton, Bingham, Baldwin, Harrell, and Michael Mattson (113 pounds) all recorded pins, while Wolfley added a win by decision.
The Mavericks are eager to test their mettle at state and build on their program’s growing legacy.
