Main Street Maury
COLUMBIA WEATHER

Summit, Independence wrestlers eye championship finishes





Summit sophomore 120-pounder Jarvis Little clinches a spot in the Class AA finals with his 2-1 double-overtime decision over Cleveland's Bentley Ellison in Friday's semifinals.BY MAURICE PATTONMain Street Maury

Summit has never had a boys state wrestling champion.

The Spartans could have two by nightfall Saturday.

Sophomore 120-pounder Jarvis LIttle and junior 145-pounder Finley Jameson both clinched spots in the Class AA state tournament finals with victories in Friday’s semifinal round and will be among five area athletes vying for state titles beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Williamson County Ag Expo in Franklin.

Joining them in championship action are independence’s Russell Ford at 113 pounds and a trio of girls competitors – Indy’s Rylee Lent at 100 pounds and teammate Brooklyn Long, who will face Summit’s Emma Stephenson for the 138-pound title.

“It’s the state tournament. Anything can happen,” Summit coach Pete Miller said after seven of his wrestlers qualified for the medal rounds. “Underdogs can achieve anything. Favorites can get upset. You’ve got to wrestle.”

Along with Summit’s finalists, Landon Desselle (132) and Ryan Smith (285) will vie for third place, while Luke Justice (182) and Rylee Bennett (girls 126) will go for fifth. Spring Hill's Vanessa Henkel pinned Tullahoma's Tiona Harden in the 152-pound consolations Friday.BY MAURICE PATTONMain Street Maury

“I had expected seven, and that’s what we got,” Miller said. “We got our first male finalists, so we broke that curse. This was a good day for the Summit wrestling family. I’m excited for our program.”

In addition to Ford, Lent and Long, Independence’s Spencer Kon will wrestle in the Class AA 138-pound third-place match Saturday.

“I’m ecstatic with how we performed,” first-year coach A.J. Villareal said. “I think all of them can win (Saturday). I think we’ve got a shot to walk out of here with three state champions.”

In Class A, Lawrence County 195-pounder Samuel Bradley dropped a 7-2 decision to David Crockett’s Gabe Ferrell in the consolation semifinals. Bradley will wrestle Eagleville’s Matthew Garber for fifth place.

Earlier on Friday, Columbia Central juniors Brianna Gayton and Madison McDowell and Spring Hill’s Vanessa Henkel were eliminated with consolation losses after suffering Thursday defeats.

Summit’s Ryan Smith will wrestle for third place at 285 pounds in the Class AA state tournament Saturday after his 4-1 decision over Smyrna’s Ellis Gardner in Friday’s consolation semifinals.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

Summit’s Ryan Smith will wrestle for third place at 285 pounds in the Class AA state tournament Saturday after his 4-1 decision over Smyrna’s Ellis Gardner in Friday’s consolation semifinals.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

“They needed to see this,” Central first-year coach Michael Conner said. “They’ll be back next year, ready to roll. I just wanted them to get the experience. You won’t forget it. It’ll motivate you for next year.

“They’re going to get medals next year.”

“I’m motivated to actually place next year, to go back to my teammates and share this experience with them and help them get better,” said Gayton, who split four matches in the 145-pound weight class over two days.

“I’m proud of myself for making it this far. But I’m disappointed. I was ranked through the season, and to not get a medal is heartbreaking.”

McDowell, who wrestled at 235, lost to 2021 state titlist Justina Nikolao of Rossview in her final match.

“I’m a little upset that I didn’t place, … I’m excited to get back in the weight room and do it all over again. I feel pumped up for next year.”

Columbia Central’s Brianna Gayton won her 145-pound consolation match Friday, pinning Maryville’s Hannah Howton, before losing by pin to Amelia Malcolm of Sullivan East.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

Columbia Central’s Brianna Gayton won her 145-pound consolation match Friday, pinning Maryville’s Hannah Howton, before losing by pin to Amelia Malcolm of Sullivan East.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

Third- and fifth-place matches will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the championship finals scheduled for 2 p.m.

Independence’s Spencer Kon advanced into the 138-pound consolation finals of the TSSAA Class AA state tournament with a 6-3 decision Friday over Beech’s William Griggs. Kon will wrestle Blackman’s Mason Sells for third place Saturday.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

Independence’s Spencer Kon advanced into the 138-pound consolation finals of the TSSAA Class AA state tournament with a 6-3 decision Friday over Beech’s William Griggs. Kon will wrestle Blackman’s Mason Sells for third place Saturday.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

Summit’s Rylee Bennett pinned Samantha Kirk of Knoxville Halls to clinch a berth in the 126-pound consolation semifinals of the TSSAA girls wrestling state tournament Friday. Bennett will wrestle for fifth place Saturday.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

Summit’s Rylee Bennett pinned Samantha Kirk of Knoxville Halls to clinch a berth in the 126-pound consolation semifinals of the TSSAA girls wrestling state tournament Friday. Bennett will wrestle for fifth place Saturday.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

 

 

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