The Courier News

State medalist Hayden Harrell signs with King

June 3, 2026 by Ken Lay

Anderson County’s Hayden Harrell shoots in on a single-leg takedown during a match at the 2026 TSSAA State Wrestling Championships. Harrell recently signed to continue his academic and wrestling careers at King University. - Tony Cox

When Hayden Harrell arrived at Clinton High School as a freshman, he was simply trying to find where he belonged.

He found that place on the wrestling mat.

Harrell competed for the Dragons for two seasons before transferring to Anderson County High School, where his wrestling career reached new heights. As a senior in 2026, he earned a spot on the medal stand at the TSSAA Class A State Championships, finishing fourth in the 144-pound weight class.

Now, Harrell will continue his career at King University. He recently signed with the Tornado during a ceremony at Anderson County High School and also participated in a signing event alongside teammates from White Buffalo Wrestling.

The accomplishment marks a remarkable journey for Harrell, who didn’t begin wrestling until high school.

“When I was a freshman, I didn’t really fit in anywhere,” Harrell said. “I started wrestling and I fell in love with it.

“For me, it was something to do, and I just fell in love with the sport.”

A former baseball player, Harrell discovered his passion on the mat and steadily worked his way from novice wrestler to state qualifier and eventual state medalist.

Wolfley’s triple crown sparks Buffalo charge

June 3, 2026 by Ken Lay

White Buffalo Wrestling recently concluded the spring portion of its competition schedule on a high note.

Now, the club will turn its attention to summer workouts.

White Buffalo wrestlers competed at the state championships last month, with Charlee Wolfley winning the triple crown of amateur wrestling after claiming state titles in her weight class in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman.

“That’s quite a feat,” White Buffalo Coach Clint Wolfley said. “She won the triple crown, all three state championships.”

Charlee Wolfley also placed third at Women’s Nationals in April in Spokane, Washington.

Last month, Wolfley, a rising sixth-grader at Norris Middle School, won her age division and weight class in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

In freestyle, Aleesia Paoletto finished second in her weight class and division. Christian Wolfley was third in his division, and Barrett Townsend also placed third in his weight class and age division.

In Greco-Roman, Charlee Wolfley and Paoletto both claimed state championships. Christian Wolfley was third in his bracket, and Zed Hulet, a state champion for Anderson County High School in 2026, placed fourth in his division.

White Buffalo Wrestling will continue working throughout the summer.

Getting Whitt it

Dragons turn to familiar face for new beginning

June 3, 2026 by Ken Lay

Blake Whitt

Clinton High School will have a new baseball coach in 2027, and he is no stranger to the Dragons’ program or the Anderson County baseball community.

Blake Whitt was announced as Clinton’s new coach early last week. He replaces Eric Hart, who guided the Dragons over the past two seasons.

Whitt previously coached at Clinton under former Head Coach Rob Stacy, who left following the 2024 season to take the head coaching position at West High School in Knoxville. He also served as an assistant coach at Oak Ridge High School under Travis Free.

After taking a brief hiatus from high school baseball, Whitt continued coaching travel teams. Now, he returns to the high school ranks with high expectations for the Dragons’ future.

Slone helped put Mavs on the map

June 3, 2026 by Ken Lay

Matt Slone

After building the Anderson County High School wrestling program into a competitive force, Matt Slone is stepping down as head coach.

Slone may be giving up the reins of the program, but he’s not going anywhere.

“I’m not going to be too far away,” said Slone, who will remain an assistant football coach at the school. “The one thing that I’m going to miss is seeing the guys and girls grow every day.

“I’m going to miss watching the guys and girls get better and better every day, and I’m going to miss seeing them grow as young people and become excellent young men and women. I’m going to miss watching the kids grow as people.

“But the program is in a good place. We’ve made it to the state duals tournament, and we’ve had state champions.”

The Mavericks have won state sectional matches to qualify for the state tournament, and Anderson County has sent multiple wrestlers to the state championships. Many of those grapplers have returned home with state medals and state titles.

Tyler leads area standouts at sectional meet

June 3, 2026 by Ken Lay

Connor Morgan of Jefferson Middle School leads the pack during the 1,600-meter run at the TMSSAA Class AA region meet on May 2 at Oak Ridge High School. Morgan won the event in 5 minutes, 0.33 seconds. - Dwane Wilder

Area athletes posted a number of strong performances at the TMSAA Region 2 sectional championships on May 2 at Oak Ridge High School, earning event titles and top finishes across the track and field venue.

For Norris, eighth-grader Ella Tyler led the way for the Lady Senators, winning the 800-meter run in 2 minutes, 30.20 seconds and capturing the 1,600-meter run in 5:43.87. She later duplicated that performance at the TMSAA state championships, winning state titles in both events.

The Norris boys 4x100 relay team finished seventh in 51.73 seconds.

Clinton Middle School also had several strong performances. Levi Braden won the long jump and finished third in the 100-meter dash, while Uriyah Pickett placed third in the shot put.

Robertsville had several athletes post high marks at the meet.

Subscription Rates	1 Year
Local (Anderson County)	$35.00
Local Seniors (Anderson County)	$30.00
Surrounding Counties(Knox, Union, Campbell, Scott, Morgan, Roane, and Loundon)	$48.00
All Other Locations	$60.00

Sports

State medalist Hayden Harrell signs with King

Wolfley’s triple crown sparks Buffalo charge

Getting Whitt it

Slone helped put Mavs on the map

Tyler leads area standouts at sectional meet