Class 2A State Duals Brackets, Teams, and Lineups
A Fan’s Guide to the 2A State Duals … there are “possible” lineups below, but don’t be set on those being the weights for each wrestler as coaches have a tendency to move kids around if they need to find a better individual matchup to help them win the dual. I also reached out to a few coaches in Tennessee to give me their thoughts about each team and the first round matchups … those are in quotes.
Lineups and First Round Matchups
Top side of the bracket
“The perennial favorite this year is 4x in a row state champion Cleveland. They will be the team to beat. They are solid top to bottom and well coached.”
As many coaches said … Cleveland is the favorite - year in and year out (at least recently) - and this year is no exception. Nolensville draws them first and will need a superb performance if they are going to knock off the Blue Raiders. Cleveland has 6 wins almost always sitting in their back pocket with Chase Walker (106), Bentley Ellison (120), Logan Fowler (126), Arlo Laxton (138), Tetoe Boyd (195), and Ashton Davis (285). That leaves most teams a very narrow path to pull an upset … and that doesn’t include other hammers in Jax Ernest, Cy Fowler, Charles Randall, and others. The Blue Raiders have few holes that other teams can exploit. Nolensville has some excellent wrestlers in their lineup as well - Charles McTorry at 152, Dakota Pattee at 138, Tate Crowell at 160, and Zach Sinner at 195. They must get wins at those 4 weights if they are going to have any shot at taking down Cleveland.
“Nolensville is in their first year in AA and they’ve wrestled extremely well. They have several on the roster who can compete with anyone
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“Maryville has been on a roll this year and they aren’t looking to stop. This is a dangerous team! Maryville could be a problem for anyone in the tournament.”
Interesting matchup that looks like it leans Maryville on paper. Both teams have individuals that should make a run for the top step in a few weeks, but it looks like Maryville might have more depth. Kainen Kyle (106), Michael Colligan (160), Cannon Johnson (182), Hayden McDonald (220), and Adrian Gumm (285) could be the difference in this matchup. Peyton Cooper vs. Aidan Rhoton at 195 could be an important match if Dobyns Bennett is going to get the win, but that one leans to Maryville as well. Dobyns Bennett will almost certainly get points from phenomenal freshman Max Norman (145) and Gavin Armstrong (120), but they will need to find points at other places in the dual and avoid giving up bonus at the weights mentioned above. If Dobyns can get wins and bonus at 138 and 170 (as well as 145 and 120) they might have a shot.
“Dobyns Bennett brings only 2 dual losses into the tournament. They always have a good team and they are looking to make a big run this year.”
Bottom Side of the Bracket
How fun is this matchup? As one coach said … this could be the closest dual in the opening round (no matter the class). Bradley Central is super tough at 113 with Bryson Terrell, 132 with Easton Lipsey, 138 with Ethan Lipsey, 145 with Luke Belcher, and at 285 with Austin McClure. Summit counters with Jarvis Little at 120, Landon Desselle at 138, Jensen Schreiber at 182, and Ryan Smith at 285. Each team usually has 4 weights won when they step off the scale … that won’t be the case Saturday morning as Lipsey vs. Desselle and McClure vs. Smith are likely matchups. Don’t be surprised if Bradley puts Terrell up to 120 against Little if they need the points (and let Groves step in vs. Bourdon at 113) and then bump James up to take on Masters. Summit should have the advantage at 126 with Jackson Masters and 195 with Luke Justice. Bradley should have the advantage at 170 with Knox Watson … but the match that could determine who moves on is at 152 with Finley Jameson and Carson Parker. Who gets momentum, where does the dual begin, who begins to play the matchup game, etc. are all things to watch in this one.
“Summit/Bradley Central could have the tightest dual of the first round. Summit took 3rd a year ago and have their sights set on better. Bradley is another hard nosed, well coach group who wrestled hard. This could go either way.”
Aidan Brenot is outstanding, but Clarksville’s path to a win over Wilson Central is mighty narrow. Wilson Central has a bunch of hammers in the lineup including Hicks at 106, Mercante at 120, Warnock at 126, Fort at 145, Fisak at 152, and Todd at 220. They also have a ton of others including Johnson, Myers, Jarvis, etc. that should be in the hunt for a spot on the podium in a few weeks. So Clarksville has to limit the damage down low (from 106-126) … giving up 24 points (4 falls) in those weights will be too much to overcome. They need to get it to Brenot, Buck, Powell, and the other upperweights to have a shot (and even there - only Brenot and Buck are likely to be favored.
“Region 6 champion Clarksville has their hands full with Region 5 champion and State Runner up from last year Wilson Central. The winner here will give the Summit/Bradley winner another tight dual. The bottom half of this bracket is most interesting.”