While some of the state’s most iconic wrestling families — like the Fowlers from Cleveland and Signal Mountain’s Uhorchuk brothers, who have combined for 26 individual state championships between four siblings — reside in the Chattanooga area, it was a first-time champion who also made history this past weekend.
When Wyatt Davis overcame a 6-0 deficit going into the second round of his 144-pound Class A finals match against Cascade’s Vayden Moore — who entered the finals with a 51-0 season record — to secure an 11-8 decision, he became the first individual state champion in any sport in Whitwell High School history.
Whitwell’s lone team state title came back on Dec. 1, 2018, when the Tigers won the Class A state football championship with a 7-6 win over Cornersville at Tennessee Tech.
“This path to becoming a state champion started from day one,” said Davis, who showcased impressive power and a relentless pace to overcome the early deficit during Saturday’s TSSAA Division I state traditional meet in Franklin. “I knew I had to put in a lot more work this season to reach my dreams after placing fifth and fourth the previous two seasons at state.
“Coach TD (Thomas Argo) pushed me so hard every day and I give a lot of props to him. Everything fell into place for me. I just knew I had to use my strength and I give all the glory to God.”