FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Cleveland took its best shot, but the Blue Raiders confirmed again what every wrestling fan in the state of Tennessee already knew.
A Tennessee state duals finalist for the second consecutive year, Cleveland gave defending champion Bradley Central its closest scare of the year but fell 33-28 Saturday night.
“We had them on the ropes a little, but we couldn’t knock them out,” Raiders coach Eric Phillips said. “They could have panicked, but they have such pride in their program that they’re not going to cave in.”
The Chattanooga area had two champions as Hixson survived an early deficit to rally past Nashville’s East Literature Magnet School for the Class A/AA title, 41-36. Father Ryan won the Division II championship by winning the last match in a nerve-racking meet with Christian Brothers.
Down 24-13, Cleveland closed to within 24-19 when 145-pounder J.C. Bobe received an injury default victory over Vince Aguilar. The Bradley senior suffered a severe dislocated elbow, and the early prognosis is that he’s done for his final season. He was transported to a local hospital.