Wrestler: Alex Manley
Success and frustration have been intertwined during his career, but the frustration of three years ended at Franklin, Tenn., when Baylor’s junior 125-pounder won his first state title in his fourth trip to the championship finals. “Getting to the finals four times is a credit to him,” retiring Baylor coach Jim Morgan said.”He had to win some great matches to get to the finals each of those first three years. Unfortunately there were guys who happened to be a point or two better on those nights.This year he proved that dedication and hard work will pay off.” Manley’s 43-2 record this year improved his career mark to 180-13. “He is a great student, an intense wrestler and a student of the sport,” Morgan said.”He gives it all he has, and he is very much a team guy who has made sacrifices for the team and who has worked with our younger guys.”
Coach: Jim Morgan
Morgan announced his retirement at Baylor immediately tournament. Although those close to him early December, he made no announcement because he wanted the year to be about the wrestlers Those athletes, many of them injured throught the season, rebounded from a fourth-place finish in the state duals to win a neck-and-neck race with rival McCallie for the traditional state championship. “Please credit those who have helped me over the years Schaack Van Deusen, Ben Nelson, Blake Matter and others from the past,” said Morgan, who is being succeeded by Nelson. “it has been a wonderful career because of the many wonderful yung men we have coached but also because our staff coached as a team. There were never any egos, and I just happended to be the head coach.”
Nick Alemany
Hixson
Senior 160 pounds
He went 46-6 with a Greeneville tourney title and was a state runner-up after being third in the region.
Stuart Doster
Baylor
Junior
140 pounds
A Knox Catholic Invitational winner and later a Division II state champ, he was 47-6 this season.
T.J. Duncan
McCallie
Junior
152 pounds
He won his fourth state crown and was 47-3 with McCallie, Father Ryan and Heart of Dixie titles.
Alex Elsea
McCallie
Freshman
103 pounds
In his first varsity season, he posted a 29-7 record and wound up third in the Division II state.
Mac Ferguson
Baylor
Senior
189 pounds
He won state, Knox Catholic and Southeastern Prep titles and finished the season 40-5.
David Helton
Baylor
Junior
215 pounds
He was in the All-American football combine and started at 285 but won the state title at 215.
Michael Hooker
McCallie
Sophomore
135 pounds
He won Father Ryan and Heart of Dixie titles, was a state runner-up and is 120-10 after going 45-4.
Micah Kidd
East Ridge
Senior
171 pounds
A two-time state qualifier, he was second at Central’s tourney and was 33-8 with a region title.
Campbell Lewis
Soddy-Daisy
Sophomore
125 pounds
Despite shoulder surgery, he was 14-0 with his second region and state titles; he’s now 63-9.
John Mackey
Baylor
Junior
285 pounds
The Knox Catholic and Southern Prep titlist is Baylor’s first heavyweight state champ since 1978.
Turner Martin
McCallie
Sophomore
130 pounds
Maturing greatly through the season, he came within a match of winning his first state title.
Trey Stavrum
Baylor
Senior
145 pounds
Returning from an ankle injury, he became a five-time state medalist with a second-place finish.
Alex Ward
McCallie
Sophomore
112 pounds
He had a 40-7 record, winning the Heart of Dixie championship before capturing a state title.
Zach Watson
Baylor
Sophomore
119 pounds
He rebounded from a broken ankle to go 14-1 and win his third state title and now is 105-1 for his career.
Second team
Chad Archey: Central, senior, 125 pounds
Jack Boone: Notre Dame, sophomore, 119 pounds
Matthew Cate: Baylor, sophomore, 152 pounds
Kyle Eustice: Soddy-Daisy, sophomore, 103 pounds
Curtis Flanagan: Hixson, senior, 145 pounds
Cole Hayes: Baylor, senior, 135 pounds
Chase Martino: McCallie, junior, 160 pounds
Justin Mathieson: Hixson, sophomore, 171 pounds
Alex Seeley: Soddy-Daisy, sophomore, 285 pounds
Zac Sharp: Red Bank, freshman, 130 pounds
Turbo Smith: Soddy-Daisy, freshman, 140 pounds
Jacob Stevens: Soddy-Daisy, freshman, 112 pounds
Billy Swanson: Soddy-Daisy, sophomore, 215 pounds
TylerToon: Ooltewah, senior, 189 pounds
Teams of the year
1. Baylor: The Red Raiders rebounded from injury and win the Division II state championship.
2. McCallie: The Blue Tornado led the state tournamen much of the weekend and just fell short.
3. Soddy-Daisy: The Trojans took their lumps early but Region 4 and were fourth in the Division I state.