Hixson High School wrestler Justin Mathieson, top, grapples with Tyner's Chase Daugherty during a match at the 4-AAA division wrestling tournament at Soddy-Daisy High School.Hixson won the Greeneville Invitational wrestling tournament going away, placing nine in the championship finals and earning medals in all 14 weight classes.
Putting their postseason lineup together for the first time this season, the Wildcats scored 264 points, 99.5 points better than runner-up Greeneville. Hixson's champions were Steve Sklavenit (120 pounds), Landon Goforth (132), Nick Peck (145) and Aaron Alemany (160). Runners-up were Austin Payne (106), Grayson Layne (113), Isaiah Hawthorne (126), Chris Nicholson (170) and Dylan Bargerstock (182).
Still, Hixson coach Garrick Hall wasn't ready to proclaim his team ready for the postseason and the Class A/AA state duals.
"I've learned from experience that you can't overlook anybody and that you really have to take it one match at a time," Hall said. "Put it this way: I haven't called and reserved rooms yet."
Goforth, Hawthorne, Sklavenit, Layne and Payne each dropped one weight class.
The Wildcats have key district matches remaining with Red Bank (Jan. 15) and Signal Mountain (Jan. 18).
Phillips official at UK
Signal Mountain quarterback Reese Phillips is officially a Kentucky quarterback following his official visit this past weekend. Phillips remained on campus following the visit and has been settling into a dorm room, getting books and picking up a student ID card.
He is to begin classes Wednesday. He will participate in his first UK spring practice beginning in mid-March with first-year coach Mark Stoops.
Gordon Lee top seed
GHSA 2012 co-champions Gordon Lee and Holy Innocents' are on opposite sides of the bracket for the Class A state dual wrestling championships this weekend in Macon.
Gordon Lee's Trojans are seeded No. 1 and open against Irwin County at 1:15 p.m. Friday. They would not face Holy Innocents' until the championship round at 3 p.m. Saturday if each wins its first two matches.
Area champion Sonoraville opens Class AA competition Friday at 9:45 a.m. against McNair, and Calhoun has to face prohibitive state favorite Jefferson at 11:30 a.m. Area 7-AAAA runner-up Southeast Whitfield will open its first state duals competition against Marist at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, when defending champion Gilmer County takes on Lumpkin County.