Signal Mountain’s climb to the top of the mountain in state wrestling has been a work in progress since the program advanced to the state dual finals in 2018.
At the time Daniel Uhorchuk was an eighth-grader who was on his way to becoming a four-time state champion and the first of four brothers who would change the Eagles’ program.
After three state runner-up finishes as a team – which included two second-place finishes to Pigeon Forge in the traditional state tournament in 2019 and 2021 – Signal Mountain grappled its way to an unforgettable TSSAA state championship earlier this month in the Class A duals in Franklin.
The moment was surreal for first-year head coach Houston Clements, his assistant coaches, wrestlers and all who have been part of the program’s rise over the years. After close call quarterfinal wins over Page and Pigeon Forge by the scores of 39-30 and 35-33, the Eagles dominated their way to the team title, building a 39-6 lead over Greeneville by winning eight straight matches to ignite the celebration.
Signal Mountain wrestlers dogpiled at the center of the Ag Expo Center mat as a feeling of pure ecstasy set in.
“This year has been the most fun I have ever had in my life being with this team and working with these guys,” said the 27-year-old Clements, who wrestled for the University of North Carolina after graduating from Baylor School. “Honestly, this state championship dream started with the Uhorchuks. They have put Signal Mountain on the map with their hard work and leadership.
“Winning the state title took all the stars aligning. My dad (Dean Clements) did a brilliant job with the lineup at the state duals and Matthew Cate has pushed these guys in the room all year and wrestled with them. It took a full top to bottom team effort.”
While Daniel Uhorchuk came ever so close to winning a team title, his three brothers have followed his fight and power on the mat to spark history.
Eighth grader JoJo Uhorchuk, freshman Ethan Uhorchuk and junior Caleb Uhorchuk have combined this season for a record of 116-2 overall. JoJo is undefeated in the 106-pound weight class at 40-0 and has only lasted the full six minutes in matches three times – with two major decisions over Cleveland’s Zach Bosken and a 4-2 decision over Greeneville’s Carson Dupill.
Meanwhile, Caleb (41-1 at 120) has won three most outstanding wrestler awards this season and Ethan – the most athletic and quickest of the three – has been lights out at 113 where he is 35-1.
“There is no secret recipe to being the best in this sport,” Jojo Uhorchuk said. “What you put in is what you get out. Our family got started early. I have been wrestling pretty much ever since I came out of the womb. We have been taught hard work all of our lives. Having three older brothers has helped me fight to get to where I am and it’s been a lot of fun to work and learn from all of them and our dad.”
Signal Mountain will aim to sweep the team titles this weekend as they return to Franklin for the Class A traditional wrestling state championships, which begins Thursday for Division I boys and girls.
The Eagles advance eight to the state tournament, which includes senior Noah Shriner (126), sophomores Ian Bryant (138) and Cole Jenkins (145) along with freshman Jackson Davis (152) and junior Jaxon Quails (170) to go with the Uhorchuk brothers. Shriner is 38-5 on the season while Davis is 32-9.
To see the program rise to the top in his fifth year wrestling at the varsity level has meant a great deal to Signal Mountain’s lone senior who was a part of a team that went a perfect 21-0 this season.
“Our program definitely had a reputation for being a really good team, but this year we achieved what we have all dreamed of since day one,” Shriner said. “Our team chemistry has been amazing and we will never forget the moment at state a few weeks ago. The goal is to go up there again and get a second state championship ring this weekend and send as many as we can to the finals.”
Clements feels his team is ready for the moment and is excited to watch his group compete in the same place where magic was in the air recently for the Eagles.
“I feel like I have the best job in the state and am so thankful,” Clements said. “These guys have worked so hard since the summer until now and we are at the point now it’s their chance to put their skills on the line and show off what they have been working for. This season has been unforgettable and we look to make even more memories.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.