The mats have been busy across the Upper Cumberland this week, and the reward is a wave of local wrestlers headed to Franklin.
Over the past several days, athletes from across the region punched their tickets to the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships, earning spots in this weekend’s state tournament after strong sectional performances.
The Cookeville Cavaliers will be represented by Wyatt Ellis at 157 pounds.
Warren County Pioneers brings a deep and balanced group into the tournament.
On the girls side, Olivia Smartt (132 pounds) and Lila Merriman (165) both finished as sectional runner-ups, while Maya Reagan claimed a sectional championship at 145 pounds. Olivia Pilcher secured fourth place to qualify.
The Pioneers’ boys lineup features experience and momentum. JaKoby Odineal, a sectional runner-up at 113 pounds, returns to the state tournament after finishing sixth last year. Burgess Galligan (126) and Jaylan Clayton (132, sectional runner-up) add more firepower, while Huck Damon placed third at 138 pounds. Raul Manus rounded out the qualifiers with a fourth-place sectional finish at 190 pounds.
Five wrestlers from Upperman Bees advanced after placing in the top four of their respective brackets at the Section 2-A Individual Tournament held at Stone Memorial High School.
Jake Stinnett led the charge by winning the 120-pound weight class. Reigning state champion Grady Phelps will look to defend his crown after finishing second at 126 pounds. Jude Fitzpatrick secured third at 175 pounds, while Kevin Willman (138) and Oliver Little (285) both earned fourth-place finishes to clinch their state berths.
York will send three qualifiers to Franklin. Adrianna Giaquinto earned her spot at 114 pounds, Ellie Turner qualified at 145 pounds, and Bailey Rennie advanced in the 185-pound division.
Four wrestlers from Livingston Academy are headed to the state tournament. Kaden Weitzel (165) and Landon Shaw (175) both secured qualifying finishes, while Jessica Savage and Maysa Opoka each placed fourth in their sectionals to advance.
Stone Memorial will also be well represented. Alden Smith qualified at 113 pounds, Brice Martin advanced at 157 pounds, and Anna Scoville punched her ticket at 120 pounds.
With sectional brackets behind them, the focus now shifts to Franklin, where the state’s best will collide on the sport’s biggest high school stage. The state tournaments will begin Friday and carry on through next week with all wrestlers hoping to secure medals on the biggest stage.