Oak Ridge grapplers show growth at Maryville

January 7, 2026 by Ken Lay

The Oak Ridge High School wrestling team resumed competition during the holiday break after illness forced a cancellation of all activities the week before Christmas.

The Wildcats were scheduled to return at the Maryville Invitational — and they did.

But before that, they made a surprise appearance at Anderson County High School on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Anderson County was hosting Scott in a dual meet and had an opening for a third team.

Oak Ridge Coach Bam Thomas took advantage of the opportunity and brought his squad across the county to Clinton for additional mat time.

Oak Ridge lost both duals against the Mavericks and Highlanders, but Thomas came away encouraged by his team’s performance.

“We went to Anderson County and we didn’t win, but we competed well,” Thomas said.

“We went back and practiced, and it worked well for us. I’m happy with the way we’ve progressed.”

At the Maryville Invitational, a two-day event that opened the 2026 calendar year, two Oak Ridge wrestlers placed in one of East Tennessee’s premier tournaments.

Robert Rankin took seventh place in the 138-pound weight class, while Nick Englehardt finished eighth at 106 pounds.

“This is good for us,” Thomas said. “We have three seniors and a group of wrestlers who competed in a co-op at Bearden, so we have some experienced guys who lead by example.”

Among the newcomers is 190-pounder Jordan Robinson, a first-year wrestler who competed in a round-robin bracket and had three matches.

“He lost all three, but he was coachable and he listened,” Thomas said.

“I told him to look at this tournament as a learning experience. When he comes back next year, he’ll be better.”

Thomas said he used the Maryville Invitational as a teaching opportunity.

“I have a lot of freshmen and sophomores — a lot of young guys — and this will lay the blocks for our foundation,” he said.

“We didn’t win at Anderson County, but even the ref told us how much we’ve improved.”