For Cleveland, it was only fitting that Trae McDaniel competed in the opening match of the TSSAA Class AAA state finals Friday at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
The senior 138-pounder and team captain delivered again as he jump-started a historic evening for the Blue Raiders, who set a state traditional tournament record by advancing nine wrestlers to the championship round and then won their fourth straight team championship in the event.
One of the most accomplished athletes in the history of the prestigious program, McDaniel won his third straight individual title by finishing his high school career with a 10-3 win over Bradley Central's Luke Belcher. He was one of six state champions for Cleveland, which set a Class AAA record with that number and duplicated a feat that had been accomplished by only eight teams in Tennessee wrestling history.
"We knew Trae was special when he was a freshman," Cleveland coach Joey Knox said. "I just got done telling him how thankful I am that he trusted me and let me coach him. All of our kids play a big part, but he is in a way the heart of this program. He cares about all his teammates and has pushed all of them to their limits. They all came out here ready to wrestle today and were here to win."
Cleveland pounded its way to another title, finishing with 241 team points - almost 100 ahead of runner-up Wilson Central (147.5), with Bradley Central (131.5) placing third. Earlier this month, the Blue Raiders won their fourth straight state duals title, and their energy was through the roof as their first five finalists won Friday night.
Cleveland's Cody Chittum, the country's top-ranked 145-pounder, followed McDaniel by fighting through a leg injury to pin his opponent in the second round. Then at 182, Tetoe Boyd showed his toughness and endurance as the two-sport star - he's also a running back for Cleveland's football team - won all four of his matches Friday by decision. He had enough energy left to lift his opponent and put him back on the mat for two key takedowns in a 7-2 finals victory.
Cleveland junior 220-pounder Ashton Davis won by pin in the third period, and freshman 106-pounder Logan Fowler made it 5-for-5 with a 10-8 decision over Bradley Central's Bryson Terrell, a match that was voted the tournament's best. Fowler had back-to-back first-round pins and a 15-0 tech fall in the semifinals before beating the Bears' Terrell, who had won his first two matches in a combined 55 seconds before winning 4-0 in the semifinals.
"Today was an amazing day for our team," said McDaniel, who had a pair of first-round pins before posting a 16-4 major decision in the semifinals. "All of the guys wrestled outstanding, and it means a lot to us we were able to set records. I have wrestled all over, and I know for a fact we have some of the best wrestling coaches in the entire country."
Cleveland's sixth title of the night came from another senior, and Jackson Bradford let out a victory yell after winning 7-2 in the 132-pound final for his second individual championship.
"This certainly sets a new level for our program," Knox said. "Still, my goal is to have 14 finalists. I want all of our kids to win every year. I am proud of this group. They believed in themselves and made the most of the moment. They earned a spot in the history books, but we still are hungry for more."
Walker Valley senior heavyweight Jadon Langford battled to his third straight finals appearance, but he fell just short of a title as he lost a sudden-victory match 3-1 to Anderson County's Joshua Cummins.
Cleveland's Arlo Laxton fell 3-2 in the 120-pound final to Wilson Central's Thomas Borders, and Bentley Ellison (113) and Blake Randall (126) also took second place for the Blue Raiders.
Other area state medalists were Bradley Central's Ethan Lipsey (113, third), Daniel James (120, fifth), Easton Lipsey (126, third), Anthony Lynn (145, fourth) and Austin McClure (285, fifth), along with Cleveland's Cael Laxton (152, third), Walker Valley's Heath Tanksley (182, fifth) and East Hamilton's Jason Brumlow (195, fifth).
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.