Soddy Daisy girls wrestling coach Steve Henry looked all week for a cure for his flu and then lack of sleep on Friday.

The remedy came Saturday afternoon just prior to dinner (approx. 5:30 p.m.) in the form of a girls state wrestling championship given to him by his Trojan team.

The inaugural girls state tournament was held in conjunction with the TSSAA boys Division I AAA and A/AA state duals this weekend at Clarksville High School.

"We wrestled well tonight and to win the first one is special," said Henry
who had a smile for the first time this week."

Soddy trailed only once in the 10-weight finals and defeated Science Hill, 36-12.

"This is a good story," said TSSAA executive director Ronnie Carter with a look of satisfaction in post match discussion. "It's girls wrestling's
version of "A league of their own."

The Trojans struck with lightening quickness in the opening match at 155 pounds as Laura Lee Clark (155) scored a takedown in two seconds and pinned Deanna Persons 20 seconds later for a 6-0 team lead.

"I had to wrestle about 30 pounds above my normal weight in our practice dual with Science Hill in January and was pinned twice," said Clark. "But I was determined to win tonight and I had to show I could do really well and I did," she said with a look of satisfaction.

Science Hill took its only lead at 9-6 on a 4-1 decision by Sarah Austin (165), while twin sister, Hannah Austin (185) followed with a forfeit win.

Melissa Downs countered with a Trojan forfeit triumph at 112 and the Trojans wrestling in navy blue singlets had the lead for good at 12-9.

The Trojans then ran away and hid with three pins by Brooke Hensley (112), Taylor Lewis (119) and Hayley Moreno (125) for an insurmountable 30-9 advantage.

Moreno¹s pin of Audie Lacy in 1:49 secured the title as Science Hill could only score a maximum 18 points in the final three matches.

"I am sad that wrestling is over for me," said Trojan senior captain Lewis, wearing a gold medal around her neck. "I hope I left a good example of hard work and dedication (6-0 in four years) work for those returning next year.

It was great to be part of history." Standing near a post-tournament group photo with approximately 30 girls from the three competing teams, Carter said, "You can tell this is important to them."

The Future:
"This tournament now gives girls a chance to wrestle on their own team and not with boys," said Steve Henry. "People have to have a backbone and have some heart and form a girls wrestling team at many high schools across the state," he said with conviction in his voice.

"This (girls high school wrestling) is coming, so you better get on board. It's the answer to Title IX issues."

Girls State Finals:

Soddy Daisy 36, Science Hill 12
155 ­ Laura Lee Clark (SD) pinned Deanna Persons, :22; 165 ­ Sarah Austin
(SH) dec. Dakota Johnson, 4-1; 185 ­ Hannah Austin (SH) forfeit win; 105 ­
Melissa Downs (SD) forfeit win; 112 ­ Brooke Hensley (SD) pinned Katherine
Lilly, 2:29; 119 ­ Taylor Lewis (SD) pinned Sarah Kenney, :46; 125 ­ Haylay
Moreno (SD) pinned Audie lacy, 1:49; 130 ­ Janie Goldstein (SH) dec. Madison
Murray, 8-2; 138 ­ Shelby Garren (SD) dec. Rachel Calloway, 8-5; 148 ­ Clair
Lanter (SD) dec. Danielle Miranda, 8-3.

State Records:

Fastest Takedown: Laura Lee Clark (SD), :02
First Takedown: Laura Lee Clark (SD)
Fastest Pin: Laura Lee Clark (SD), :22
First Pin: Laura Lee Clark (SD)
First Escape: Dakota Johnson (SD)
First Reverse: Sarah Austin (SH)
First Win By Forfeit: Hannah Austin (SH)
First 2-Point Near Fall: Brooke Hensley (SD)
First 3-Point Near Fall: Brooke Hensley (SD)
Most Escapes, One Match: Clair Lanter (SD), 2
Most Reverses, One Match: 1, nine different wrestlers
Most Near Falls, One Match: Brooke Hensley (SD), 2
Most Takedowns, One Match: Janie Goldstein (SH), 3
Most Pins, Team: SD ­ 4
Consecutive Pins, Team: SD ­ 3
Most Decisions, Team: SD- 2
Most Forfeit Wins, Team: SH - 1, SD - 1

Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

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