Defending champion Christian Brothers, Father Ryan and Baylor are the three teams favored to battle it out for the 2013 TSSAA D-II state duals title today and Saturday (Feb.1-2) at the Williamson Couny Ag Center Expo Center in Franklin.
Christian Brothers looks for its fourth straight final, placing second to Father Ryan in 2010 and Baylor in 2011, before winning its first wrestling state crown in 2012.
The last team to repeat was Baylor, which had a three-peat; 2007-08-09.
The last team to make four straight finals was Father Ryan; second in 2007-08-09 (all to Baylor) and champions in 2010.
One Bye: Memphis University School will not be able to compete due to illness and injury … this is the first time that a D-II school has not been able to compete in the state duals since the D-II tournament was established in 1998
In 1996 (pre-D-II), Five schools were not able to attend – three in the AAA and two in the AA – due to bad weather … In AAA - Knox Karns, Maryville and Red Bank and in A-AA - Grundy County and Seymour.
26th Annual State Duals: The state duals were first held in 1988 with four teams competing ... Father Ryan beat McCallie for the title ... In the semis, Ryan defeated Cleveland and McCallie defeated Christian Brothers.
Today, the event has grown nine times from the original number as there are 36 teams vying for four championships ... 16 teams in D-I AAA and eight teams each in D-I A-AA and D-II and four teams in the D-II Invitational.
D-II Schedule: (All Times EST)
Friday – 8 teams compete in quarterfinals, followed by semifinals
4:30 p.m. (top half of bracket) Father Ryan vs. Brentwood Academy; McCallie vs. St. Benedict
6:30 p.m.: (bottom half of bracket) Christian Brothers vs. MBA; Baylor receives a bye
8:30 p.m. – semifinals
Saturday: 10 a.m. – consolation matches begin
4 p.m. - 3rd place match …. 8 p.m. – championship finals
D-II Invitational: Saturday … semis at noon and finals at 4 p.m.
Semis: Franklin Road Academy vs. Knox Webb; BGA vs. St. George’s
Defending Champion: FRA
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net