FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Hixson Wildcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish both have something in common concerning the TSSAA State Duals wrestling tournament here at the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Center.
Both were eliminated from medal contention Saturday morning by the Greenbrier Bobcats, Hixson losing in the first match by a 41-24 final before the Irish dropped a 38-35 final.
Pigeon Forge defeated Greeneville by a 41-26 final to win the A-AA state title Saturday night.
GREENBRIER 41, HIXSON 24: The Bobcats bolted to a 17-0 lead by winning the first four matches before Hixson rallied to win the next five for a 24-17 advantage.
And just as quickly, Greenbrier won the next four, clinching the win with Tanner Lynch’s pin at 195.
“I can’t begin to tell you how disappointed I am right now,” said Hixson coach Garrick Hall after his team fell to 17-5 for the season.
“I’ve never come up here and gone 0-2, but it was much the same as last night where we had a lead in certain matches before making a stupid mistake and getting pinned. I really shouldn’t say anything because it will only tear them down and make them think I don’t believe in them, but I’ve never been more disappointed in my life,” Hall added.
Cederic Harris and Jordan Lewis had the only two pins for Hixson with Lewis getting his with 37 seconds left after trailing 6-1. Harris was in control all the way before getting the slap on the mat with 1:10 left in the second period.
Jacob Newman had a technical fall at 126, Jonas Shackleford a major decision and Bruce Wilson a regular decision at 152 for Hixson’s other three wins.
GREENBRIER 38, NOTRE DAME 35: Daniel Hodges scored a 38-second pin at 160 pounds to give the Irish a seemingly-comfortable 29-17 lead, but the Bobcats came storming back to win the next four with Toby Lynch’s pin at 220 clinching the win for Greenbrier.
“We’ve got to win the swing matches and we lost both just now,” said Notre Dame coach Rocco Mansueto in reference to close defeats at 152 and 195 pounds.
“Both of those were winnable matches and we lost both in the last 10 seconds, but we fought hard. Our goal was to place at this tournament and we fell short, but now I have to find a way to stay positive and let this be a teachable moment,” the Notre Dame coach added.
Cade Holloway, Ned Warwick, David Hodges, Daniel Hodges and Kobe Bragg all had pins for the Irish, who finish their dual season at 18-5.
GREENBRIER 41, HIXSON 24
285 – Zachary Schlessman (G) pinned Guilano Palacio, 3:19;
106 – Matthew McCartney (G) won by technical fall over Greg Marquez, 5:16;
113 – Spencer Matherly (G) dec. Tucker Gill, 5-3;
120 –Nathan Ford (G) dec. Charles Burton, 6-2;
126 – Jacob Newman (H) won by technical fall over Caleb Shelton, 5:43;
132 – Jordan Lewis (H) pinned Noah Walton, 5:23;
138 – Jonas Shackleford (H) major dec. Jesse Gervasin, 11-3;
145 – Cederic Harris (H) pinned Tucker Tatum, 2:50;
152 – Bruce Wilson (H) dec. Noah Quilt, 4-3;
160 – Gavin Ledbetter (G) pinned Brian Wagoner, 1:03;
170 – Anthony Downing (G) pinned Jerrald Higginbotham, 1:00;
182 – Anthony Collins (G) pinned Jake Ivey, 4:38;
195 – Tanner Lynch (G) pinned Deven Baker, 1:22;
220 – Double forfeit.
GREENBRIER 38, NOTRE DAME 35
106 – Cade Holloway (ND) pinned Matthew McCartney, 5:03;
113 – Spencer Matherly (G) major dec. Thomas Loher, 13-3;
120 – Nathan Ford (G) major dec. Harrison Nichol, 13-0;
126 – Grant Speer (ND) won by technical fall over Caleb Shelton, 4:34;
132 – Jimmy Stubblefield (G) won by forfeit;
138 – Ned Warwick (ND) pinned Noah Walton, 5:04;
145 – David Hodges (ND) pinned Jesse Gervasin, :17;
152 – Noah Quilt (G) dec. Alex Spraker, 4-3;
160 – Daniel Hodges (ND) pinned Gavin Ledbetter, :38;
170 – Anthony Downing (G) pinned Ashton Thomas, :44;
182 – Anthony Collins (G) won by forfeit;
195 – Tanner Lynch (G) dec. Doogan Boyd, 4-2;
220 – Toby Lynch (G) pinned Jacob Brigman, 1:55;
285 – Kobe Bragg (ND) pinned Nathan Miller, 1:00.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)