A Fan's Guide to the Tennessee D1 1A State Tournament
Welcome to the Fan’s Guide for the TSSAA D1 1A State Tournament
So what is a Fan’s Guide?
The Fan’s Guide is a look at the tournament as a whole and each individual weight class … from a fan’s perspective. But it is not a prediction of who will win or who will make the podium. In fact, a Fan’s Guide is a little different. It is a look at a few individual pieces from each bracket … they include:
Favorite: the wrestler that enters the tournament as a region champ and has the best shot to claim the top step.
Contenders: a wrestler that finished 1st or 2nd at regionals amd has a decent chance to make the podium … not all region runners-up are listed as contenders.
Darkhorse: a wrestler that finished 3rd at one of the regional tournaments, but could make a run for the top step.
Bracketbuster: a wrestler that finished 4th at one of the regions, but could make a run for the podium.
Isn’t that kind of a prediction?
Yes and no. I do identify the favorite, but beyond that I have no idea of who will march through the bracket and claim a title (don’t get me wrong - I’ve watched a lot of wrestling this season so I have an idea of what will happen). I could give you an educated guess about a possible finals match and who will make the podium, but in the world of high school wrestling that is dangerous territory. Few wrestlers (if any) are unbeatable … but we do have past results and past accomplishments on which to make a guess or two. In reality, I am as much of a fan as any of you and like to talk wrestling. I hope each athlete goes out and performs to her ability and we, as fans, get an opportunity to watch some great wrestling.
Remember the sole purpose of the website, twitter, instagram, fan’s guides, pictures, etc. is to promote the sport in the Southeast. Have a great time this weekend, enjoy the wrestling, and best of luck to everyone competing.
NOTE: ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS ASSUMING THAT THE INFORMATION INPUTTED INTO TRACKWRESTLING EITHER BY THE EVENT DIRECTOR OR THE COACHES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON IS CORRECT.
Team Race
Storyline #1: Knoxville Halls won a great state duals … can they do it again in traditional?
Knoxville Halls had an outstanding dual state tournament to claim the title a few weeks ago … they will look to duplicate that feat this weekend in Franklin. Halls enters with the most qualifiers - 13, but is trailed closely by Fairview (12), Page and Gibbs (10 each), and Signal Mountain and Pigeon Forge with 9 each. Halls shares the most section champions with Signal Mountain and as a result have the destiny in their control. If their hammers (the 9 that finished either 1st or 2nd at sectionals) do their jobs - Halls will likely take the traditional crown again. That said … Signal Mountain will likely have at least 3 champions (same with Greeneville) - but they have ground to make-up with 4 or more fewer wrestlers than Halls. Expect another tight one.
Storyline #2: 31 Freshmen (and 2 8th graders) look to make their mark
Fairly typical breakdown of qualifiers by grade level. As expected, we have more Seniors than any others competing for a state title and that number goes down slightly as we move from Seniors to Freshmen. We have 31 freshmen and 2 8th graders that will look to make an impact at this year’s state tournament.
Derrick Bolden of Millington Central (106) won his section as did
Four freshmen:
John Haney - Upperman (106)
Joseph Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (113)
Kyle Nielsen - Spring Hill (113)
Braylan Cooper - Soddy Daisy (138)
Been here … done that
9 wrestlers that have claimed a state title previously return looking for another title this season. Caleb Uhorchuk and Hunter Mason are each looking for their 4th state title. Logan Heckert, Andy Cable, and Ethan Uhorchuk are seeking their 3rd titles … but Cable and Caleb Uhorchuk are at the same weight - so at least one of them will not make that happen.
Six of the 9 are Seniors.
Carson Dupill - Greeneville (10) - 1st at 106 in 2022
Ethan Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (10) - 1st at 113 in 2022; 1st at 106 in 2021
Andy Cable - Pigeon Forge (12) - 1st at 126 in 2022; 1st at 120 in 2021; 3rd at 113 in 2020
Caleb Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (12) - 1st at 120 in 2022; 1st at 113 in 2021; 1st at 106 in 2020; 2nd at 106 in 2019
Hunter Mason - Greeneville (12) - 1st at 145 in 2022; 1st at 138 in 2021; 1st at 126 in 2020
Colin Dupill - Greeneville (12) - 1st at 152 in 2022
Logan Heckert - Sycamore (12) - 1st at 160 in 2022; 1st at 132 in 2021; 4th at 120 in 2020
Kendrick Curtis - Fairview (12) - 1st at 182 in 2022; 2nd at 182 in 2021; 4th at 152 in 2020
Robert Atwood - Trousdale County (11) - 1st at 195 in 2022; 4th at 220 in 2021
Still Hunting …
39 wrestlers made the podium a year ago and will be looking to claim their first state title in 2023. For 22 of them it will be their final shot at the top step … each are Seniors looking to go out on top in their final high school tournament.
Chris Lagorio - Hixson (12) - 3rd at 106 in 2022
Lucas Martin - Hillwood (12) - 3rd at 113 in 2022
Henry Ribble - Fairview (12) - 6th at 106 in 2021
Thomas Brown - Page (12) - 5th at 120 in 2022
Sam Hutchison - Knoxville Halls (12) - 3rd at 132 in 2022
Greg Gomez - Martin Luther King (12) - 5th at 126 in 2022; 3rd at 113 in 2021; 2nd at 113 in 2020; 6th at 106 in 2019
Keegan Seaver - Fairview (12) - 5th at 120 in 2021
Grant Hawkinson - Page (12) - 2nd at 132 in 2022
Cody Agnell - Tullahoma (12) - 5th at 132 in 2022
Luke London - Sycamore (12) - 2nd at 145 in 2022; 2nd at 138 in 2021
Thomas Magness - Harpeth (12) - 3rd at 152 in 2022; 5th at 145 in 2021
Jerzy Hendrix - Tullahoma (12) - 4th at 152 in 2022
Josh Ward - Page (12) - 5th at 152 in 2022
Malachi Bennett - Fairview (12) - 2nd at 160 in 2021; 3rd at 145 in 2020
Dawson Jones - Sullivan East (12) - 6th at 152 in 2021
Elijah Hubbs - Gibbs (12) - 2nd at 195 in 2022
Gabe Ferrell - David Crockett (12) - 3rd at 195 in 2022
Aiden Littles - Pigeon Forge (12) - 2nd at 182 in 2022; 5th at 160 in 2021
Daniel White - Cheatham Co. Central (12) - 4th at 152 in 2021
Nathan Downey - Green Hill (12) - 5th at 182 in 2022
Morgan Lowery - Greeneville (12) - 3rd at 170 in 2021
Caleb Wolfe - Pigeon Forge (12) - 4th at 220 in 2022; 2nd at 220 in 2021; 2nd at 195 in 2020
Ronan O`Connell - Page (11) - 6th at 285 in 2022
Keanun Cummings - Marion Co. (No Grade) - 5th at 285 in 2021
John Geist - Livingston Academy (11) - 5th at 195 in 2021
Seth McCoy - Forrest (11) - 4th at 145 in 2022, 6th at 138 in 2021, and 4th at 113 in 2020.
Joseph Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (9) - 2nd at 106 in 2022
Ezra Finstad - Gibbs (10) - 5th at 106 in 2022
Luke Carpenter - East Hamilton (10) - 6th at 106 in 2022
Andrew Lewis - Soddy Daisy (11) - 3rd at 120 in 2022
Adan Alvarez - Cheatham Co. Central (11) - 4th at 132 in 2022
Brody McLemore - Eagleville (11) - 2nd at 138 in 2022; 4th at 145 in 2021; 5th at 120 in 2020
Dylan Davenport - Sycamore (11) - 3rd at 126 in 2022; 4th at 126 in 2021
Harlen Hunley - Knoxville Halls (10) - 3rd at 145 in 2022
Wyatt Howard - Pigeon Forge (10) - 3rd at 138 in 2022
Briar Whaley - Knoxville Halls (11) - 3rd at 160 in 2022
Kobe Smith - Red Bank (11) - 3rd at 182 in 2022
Jake Stacey - Green Hill (11) - 3rd at 170 in 2022
Bull Goodman - Knoxville Halls (11) - 6th at 220 in 2022
106 lbs.
Favorite: Chris Lagorio - Hixson (12)
Contenders:
Derrick Bolden - Millington Central (8)
John Haney - Upperman (9)
Blake Allen - Gibbs (10)
Justin Muniz - Green Hill (10)
Darkhorse: Samuel Comes - Seymour (9)
Bracketbuster: John Sanchez Ponce - Alcoa (9)
What to know …
Just one returning placer in the bracket … Chris Lagorio - Hixson (12) - 3rd at 106 in 2022
Lagorio is the favorite after placing at this weight a year ago and winning Section 2 last week over Higdon
Lagorio does have several losses this season, but many of those came up at 113. Still opportunities exist especially for Haney, Higdon, Bolden, etc. that are on the opposite side of the bracket.
113 lbs.
Favorite: Jojo Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (9)
Contenders:
Kyle Nielsen - Spring Hill (9)
Evan Glass - Volunteer (12)
Lucas Martin - Hillwood (12)
Ezra Finstad - Gibbs (10)
Darkhorse: Zachary Lewis - Eagleville (12)
Bracketbuster: Ricky Lester - Stone Memorial (12)
What to know …
No State Champs return at 113, but four former state placers that should be in the mix for the top step include:
Joseph Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (9) - 2nd at 106 in 2022
Lucas Martin - Hillwood (12) - 3rd at 113 in 2022
Ezra Finstad - Gibbs (10) - 5th at 106 in 2022
Luke Carpenter - East Hamilton (10) - 6th at 106 in 2022
We do not award titles before the bracket is wrestled … BUT - Jojo Uhorchuk is the heavy favorite. Uhorchuk was a runner-up last year to Dupill at 106 and his only loss this season was to Davis Motyka of Wyoming Seminary (PA) in the Powerade Finals. He is on another level and the rest of the 113 lb. bracket is competing for second.
120 lbs.
Favorite: Carson Dupill - Greeneville (10)
Contenders:
Henry Ribble - Fairview (12)
Nathan Simpson - Page (10)
Charles Duncan - Soddy Daisy (11)
Landon Turner - Harpeth (11)
Darkhorse: David Cook - Knoxville Halls (10)
Bracketbuster: Brody Ford - Gibbs (10)
What to know …
One returning champ in the bracket … Carson Dupill - Greeneville (10) - 1st at 106 in 2022
One other returning state placer that is in the mix:
Henry Ribble - Fairview (12) - 6th at 106 in 2021
If you read 113 … you can apply that to 120. Carson Dupill is one of the best 120’s around … not just in 1A or in Tennessee, but in the Southeast and nationally (although he would probably compete at 113 in those tournaments). Dupill’s losses this year have come at Walsh Ironman, Beast of the East, and Escape the Rock … if you know then you know - if not well let’s just put it at those three might be amongst the top 5 toughest high school tournaments in the country.
The bottom side features returning state placer Henry Ribble and section champ Charles Duncan - both will look to make their way to the finals
126 lbs.
Favorite: Ethan Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (10)
Contenders:
Thomas Brown - Page (12)
Andy Cable - Pigeon Forge (12)
Jordan Sexton - Knoxville Halls (10)
Trey Moreland - Sycamore (11)
Darkhorse: Andrew Lewis - Soddy Daisy (11)
Bracketbuster: Josue Castillo - Greeneville (12)
What to know …
Two returning champs at the weight:
Ethan Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (10) - 1st at 113 in 2022; 1st at 106 in 2021
Andy Cable - Pigeon Forge (12) - 1st at 126 in 2022; 1st at 120 in 2021; 3rd at 113 in 2020
Two returning placers in the mix:
Andrew Lewis - Soddy Daisy (11) - 3rd at 120 in 2022
Thomas Brown - Page (12) - 5th at 120 in 2022
Rarely do we get returning 2x State Champs at the same weight. Ethan Uhorchuk is on pace to win 5 titles … Cable looks to finish his senior season on top once again. Uhorchuk beat Cable in the section finals last weekend - putting Cable on the bottom side with Thomas Brown, Trey Moreland, Andrew Lewis and others.
132 lbs.
Favorite: Caleb Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (12)
Contenders:
Greg Gomez - Martin Luther King (12)
Jacob Pennington - Eagleville (11)
Sam Hutchison - Knoxville Halls (12)
Keegan Seaver - Fairview (12)
Darkhorse: Adan Alvarez - Cheatham Co. Central (11)
Bracketbuster: Owen McCall - Alcoa (12)
What to know …
3x State Champion Caleb Uhorchuk - Signal Mountain (12) looks to return and claim a 4th title
Four former state placers that should be in the mix for a run at the top step include:
Sam Hutchison - Knoxville Halls (12) - 3rd at 132 in 2022
Adan Alvarez - Cheatham Co. Central (11) - 4th at 132 in 2022
Greg Gomez - Martin Luther King (12) - 5th at 126 in 2022; 3rd at 113 in 2021; 2nd at 113 in 2020; 6th at 106 in 2019
Keegan Seaver - Fairview (12) - 5th at 120 in 2021
Lots of very talented Seniors in the bracket that have yet to win a title … unfortunately they share a weight with perhaps the best Senior in the state of Tennessee (we could argue Hunter Mason, Aiden Brenot, Omaury Alvarez or others, but still Caleb Uhorchuk is in that group).
Caleb Uhorchuk will look to claim a 4th title and he is the heavy favorite to make that happen. The bottom side returning placers (and seniors) Hutchison and Gomez … but make no mistake Uhorchuk is the favorite to win the weight.
138 lbs.
Favorite: Brody McLemore - Eagleville (11)
Contenders:
Harlen Hunley - Knoxville Halls (10)
Dylan Davenport - Sycamore (11)
Braylan Cooper - Soddy Daisy (9)
Grant Hawkinson - Page (12)
Darkhorse: Cody Agnell - Tullahoma (12)
Bracketbuster: Jackson Owens - Signal Mountain (12)
What to know …
No returning state champions at 138
Five former state placers that should be in the mix for the top step include:
Grant Hawkinson - Page (12) - 2nd at 132 in 2022
Brody McLemore - Eagleville (11) - 2nd at 138 in 2022; 4th at 145 in 2021; 5th at 120 in 2020
Dylan Davenport - Sycamore (11) - 3rd at 126 in 2022; 4th at 126 in 2021
Harlen Hunley - Knoxville Halls (10) - 3rd at 145 in 2022
Cody Agnell - Tullahoma (12) - 5th at 132 in 2022
No clear favorite - we went with McLemore because he sits on the top side with a much easier path than all of the other returning placers. In fact, the bottom side includes 4 placers with potential quarters between Davenport and Agnell and Hawkinson and Hunley. That doesn’t mean that is what we will get, but it is certainly a possibility.
145 lbs.
Favorite: Hunter Mason - Greeneville (12)
Contenders:
Luke London - Sycamore (12)
Oleksaudr Warner - Polk County (12)
Caleb Adkins - Tullahoma (12)
Trevor Sexton - Knoxville Halls (9)
Darkhorse: Aubrey Thompson - Stone Memorial (12)
Bracketbuster: Zalven Welch - Soddy Daisy (10)
What to know …
3x State Champ Hunter Mason of Greeneville returns looking for his 4th title
Luke London, a 2x Runner-up, of Sycamore is the only other placer in the bracket.
In so many other weights … Luke London would be the favorite after taking 2nd twice before. But sharing a bracket with 3x State Champ and Virginia Tech signee Hunter Mason means that your path to a title is very difficult.
152 lbs.
Favorite: Colin Dupill - Greeneville (12)
Contenders:
Jackson Davis - Signal Mountain (10)
Quenston Davis - Munford (10)
Nikolas Taylor - White House Heritage (11)
Seth McCoy - Forrest (11)
Darkhorse: Logan Rawlinson - Soddy Daisy (9)
Bracketbuster: Riley Silk - Clinton High school (11)
What to know …
Colin Dupill of Greeneville returns after claiming the 152 lb. title a year ago
Seth McCoy of Forrest is the only other placer in the bracket … he has finished on the podium three times - 4th at 145 in 2022, 6th at 138 in 2021, and 4th at 113 in 2020.
Dupill returns after claiming the top step in 2022 … he is a D1 signee (South Dakota State) and Is the heavy favorite to claim a 4th title (two previous titles were in Virginia)
160 lbs.
Favorite: Thomas Magness - Harpeth (12)
Contenders:
Briar Whaley - Knoxville Halls (11)
Elijah Turner - Soddy Daisy (11)
Josh Ward - Page (12)
Wyatt Howard - Pigeon Forge (10)
Malachi Bennett - Fairview (12)
Darkhorse: Jerzy Hendrix - Tullahoma (12)
Bracketbuster: Cole Darnell - Eagleville (11)
What to know …
No State Champs return at 160, but the bracket is full of returning medalists
Wyatt Howard - Pigeon Forge (10) - 3rd at 138 in 2022
Thomas Magness - Harpeth (12) - 3rd at 152 in 2022; 5th at 145 in 2021
Briar Whaley - Knoxville Halls (11) - 3rd at 160 in 2022
Jerzy Hendrix - Tullahoma (12) - 4th at 152 in 2022
Josh Ward - Page (12) - 5th at 152 in 2022
Malachi Bennett - Fairview (12) - 2nd at 160 in 2021; 3rd at 145 in 2020
Dawson Jones - Sullivan East (12) - 6th at 152 in 2021
7 returning placers with none having won a title previously.
Picking a favorite here is tough, but you have to go with a section champ … and in reality it could be Magness or Whaley.
Magness’s loses this year came to Cy Fowler and Lane Scrader (Eastside, SC)
Whaley has lost to Heckert, Kon, and Virginia’s Olender
Regardless of who is listed as the favorite - each of the section champs have to feel confident about their chances this weekend.
Returning placers matchup in the opening round with a banger to start things between Bennett and Hendrix - winner likely gets Whaley. Wow.
170 lbs.
Favorite: Aiden Littles - Pigeon Forge (12)
Contenders:
Jake Stacey - Green Hill (11)
Daniel White - Cheatham Co. Central (12)
Colton Ferrell - David Crockett (10)
James Click - Samuel Everett School of Innovation (10)
Darkhorse: Michael Carter - Spring Hill (12)
Bracketbuster: Gabe Freeman - Knoxville Halls (11)
What to know …
No returning champs at 170
Three state placers return looking to make the top of the podium:
Aiden Littles - Pigeon Forge (12) - 2nd at 182 in 2022; 5th at 160 in 2021
Jake Stacey - Green Hill (11) - 3rd at 170 in 2022
Daniel White - Cheatham Co. Central (12) - 4th at 152 in 2021
Littles is the favorite, but don’t be surprised if Stacey claims the title.
Both of Littles losses came over in North Carolina in early January - he has some very good wins over Knox Watson and Hayden Sinner, but hasn’t faced Stacey or White this season.
Stacey has lost to Heckert and Oberlander and has beaten White, Wyatt Gibbs, Ben Warfel, and others.
182 lbs.
Favorite: Logan Heckert - Sycamore (12)
Contenders:
Elijah Hubbs - Gibbs (12)
Kobe Smith - Red Bank (11)
Connor Avans - Tullahoma (11)
Gabe Ferrell - David Crockett (12)
Darkhorse: Ethan Ward - Page (10)
Bracketbuster: William Wilson - Hillwood (12)
What to know …
2x State Champion Logan Heckert of Sycamore returns looking for his 3rd.
Three state placers return looking to make the top of the podium:
Elijah Hubbs - Gibbs (12) - 2nd at 195 in 2022
Kobe Smith - Red Bank (11) - 3rd at 182 in 2022
Gabe Ferrell - David Crockett (12) - 3rd at 195 in 2022
2x State Champ Logan Heckert enters as the favorite … only loss this season came to Aidan Brenot early in December. He has wins over Avans, Stacey, Sinner, etc.
Hubbs and Smith are both section champs and should be the favorites to make their way through the bottom side of the bracket.
Don’t be surprised to see all 4 section champs in the semis.
195 lbs.
Favorite: Kendrick Curtis - Fairview (12)
Contenders:
Morgan Lowery - Greeneville (12)
Nathan Downey - Green Hill (12)
Aiden Howard - Pigeon Forge (11)
John Geist - Livingston Academy (11)
Darkhorse: Kenny Harris - Alcoa (9)
Bracketbuster: Caleb Conn - East Ridge (11)
What to know …
Returning State Champ Kendrick Curtis is back in the bracket and looking to claim another title
Three state placers return looking to make the top of the podium:
Nathan Downey - Green Hill (12) - 5th at 182 in 2022
Morgan Lowery - Greeneville (12) - 3rd at 170 in 2021
John Geist - Livingston Academy (11) - 5th at 195 in 2021
Curtis has finished all over the podium … he will look to add another trip to the top step this season after claiming the 182 lb. title last year.
Downey and Lowery both won their sections, are returning medalists and are on the bottom side of the bracket
220 lbs.
Favorite: Robert Atwood - Trousdale County (11)
Contenders:
Bull Goodman - Knoxville Halls (11)
Jacob Winchester - Signal Mountain (12)
Anthony Rigby - Harpeth (12)
Tyson Click - Samuel Everett School of Innovation (9)
Darkhorse: Luke Tidwell - Gibbs (11)
Bracketbuster: Mason Campbell - Tennessee (10)
What to know …
Returning State Champ Rob Atwood is back looking for another title
Only other placer in the bracket is Bull Goodman - Knoxville Halls (11) - 6th at 220 in 2022
Atwood has brought Trousdale County onto the map over the last several years and he will look to add another title in 2023.
A run to the finals for Bull Goodman could be huge for Halls in the team race
285 lbs.
Favorite: Caleb Wolfe - Pigeon Forge (12)
Contenders:
Ronan O`Connell - Page (11)
Malik Boiling - East Nashville Magnet School (11)
Landon Brooks - Gibbs (12)
Caleb Turner - Knoxville Halls (11)
Darkhorse: Zach Smith - Munford (12)
Bracketbuster: Keanun Cummings - Marion Co. ()
What to know …
No State Champs return at 285, but three that have made the podium previously:
Caleb Wolfe - Pigeon Forge (12) - 4th at 220 in 2022; 2nd at 220 in 2021; 2nd at 195 in 2020
Ronan O`Connell - Page (11) - 6th at 285 in 2022
Keanun Cummings - Marion Co. (No Grade) - 5th at 285 in 2021
Wolfe has been all over the podium - finishing 2nd twice (as well as 4th). This is his final shot to claim an individual title.
O’Connell is a returning placer and should be the favorite to march his way through on the bottom side … a Brooks vs. O’Connell semi is one to watch.