The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat.
This list represents the Top 10 seniors in the state of Tennessee along with 5 honorable mention selections. The wrestlers comprising this Top 10 list have amassed 14 state titles in 21 state final appearances. One wrestler in this list will attempt to become the second wrestler to earn five Tennessee state championships, one will seek his fourth title, and yet another will seek to make his fifth finals appearance in search of his third state title. The wrestlers in this article hail from all corners of the state including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis. Seven different schools are represented in the Top 10 list, climbing to ten when you add the honorable mentions. A slight edge goes to DII as they have six wrestlers in the top ten versus four for DI, however DI evens the score picking up four of the five honorable mention slots. Several schools claim multiple wrestlers on the list with Father Ryan leading the way with three, though one of those traces his roots back to McCallie. All but one wrestler in the top ten has been in the state finals with eight of them capturing titles. Three of our honorable mention wrestlers also hold state titles.
While competing in the state of Tennessee this group of 10 seniors has amassed 14 state titles, 21 state final appearances, 29 state medals, and 2 Outstanding Wrestler awards at the state tournament. Throughout their careers they have an official record sporting 1,151 wins against 154 losses, giving them an 88.2% win percentage. Five different wrestlers from this group have accounted for 8 different medals at the NHSCA grade level national championships (freshman, sophomore, and junior); two at the junior level, four at the sophomore level, and two at the freshman level. This group has had no place winners at the Super 32 but does carry a 24-20 mark from the tournament. Taking a look at performances in the international styles, only three of the wrestlers have ever competed at the USAW Asics/Vaughan Junior & Cadet National Championships (Fargo), but those three wrestlers carry an 11-8 record. However, one of those three has earned FILA Cadet All-American status. Five of the Top 10 seniors have represented Team Tennessee at either the Cadet or Junior National Duals and tout an overall record of 30-17 from those events.
Several of these wrestlers can be found amongst the various national rankings as recognition for the work they have put in, but it doesn't determine the outcome of a single match they will wrestle. Some of them will move on to college wrestling, be it DI or DII, NAIA, NWCA, etc. and others will end their careers on the mats in Franklin, Tenn. on Feb. 18.
Beyond the numbers and statistics, every wrestler on this list has achieved things that many wrestlers strive for through every grueling practice and every punishing tournament. They have won titles, lost important matches, and pushed their bodies to bend and break the will of an opponent who has the exact same goal in mind. They are wrestlers ... and regardless of what other sports they may compete in, it is the wrestling mentality that they will carry with them and be better because of it.
1. Zach Watson (Baylor)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Zach WatsonOn the national scale, Watson has found his largest success at the NHSCA grade level events where he was second as a sophomore and third as a Junior both at 119 pounds. Wrestling for Baylor has allowed Watson to see higher level competition in season where he sports a 5-1 record at The Clash (2011) and has placed first and second at the Southeast Prep School Slam. Watson has competed at the Super 32 once in 2010 where he finished with a 3-2 record. Not competing heavily in the international styles, Watson has represented Tennessee once at the Cadet duals in 2008 but has not seen any other major freestyle or Greco-Roman competitions.
While on the mat Zach shows excellent technique from all positions coupled with superb natural balance. Watson is not a physical wrestler, opting instead for a style that leans more towards agility and speed. However, that isn't to say Watson can't handle a more physical match as he has faced several including wrestling his junior season at 125 for his team when 119 was the weight he competed at during post and preseason national events. Zach is an excellent college prospect who could produce great results at Virginia.
2. Campbell Lewis (Soddy Daisy)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 132/138
Projected College Weight Class: 133/141
Analysis: Campbell Lewis comes in as our second wrestler who doesn't know how to lose at the state tournament. Campbell has made the DI state finals three times and has had his hand raised every time. His first two titles came at 125 and his most recent at 130. Campbell has found success at nearly every level of competition he has entered while compiling his high school record of 99-12.
Campbell LewisIf you had to choose one word to describe Campbell's wrestling style it would likely be gritty. Lewis isn't a wrestler who tends to awe you with flashy technique or overwhelming strength, instead solid positioning, a consistent pace, and a willingness to fight for every point are the things many wrestling observers notice. However, don't get too relaxed as Lewis does have the ability to hit the big move as was evidenced by his throw that ultimately won him a tough state semi-finals match against a wrestler who will appear later in this list.
3. Michael Hooker (Father Ryan/McCallie)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 149
Michael HookerHooker has two significant national placings in his high school career; a fifth-place finish at the NHSCA Junior Nationals at 145 to go along with a fifth-place finish at the 2009 FILA Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals. Staying active in the international styles, Hooker has represented Team Tennessee twice at the USAW National Duals (once at Juniors and once at Cadets), competed once at Fargo in 2009, and claimed a first-place finish in freestyle and third place in Greco-Roman at the 2009 Southeast Regional. He has also spent at least one summer on a wrestling tour in Europe rather than competing in Fargo. Michael picked up a championship in the Southeast Prep School Slam last season after finishing third the prior year.
Hooker is a wrestler who is solid from all three positions on the mat but like many high school wrestlers may struggle on bottom when he enters the college ranks, primarily for lack of being there much in high school. Hooker has long used a strong leg-ride from the top position as one of his go-to moves. However, early in his career he struggled to score points with it against tougher opponents but has found more success there in his junior season. Hooker is a major dual-threat in neutral with the ability to create his own offense and to use his excellent hips to convert counter throws. This big move potential combined with strong top work has allowed Hooker to collect right at 100 falls at this point in his career.
4. McCoy Newberg (Independence)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 170
Projected College Weight Class: 174/184
McCoy NewbergLike others on this list Newberg has continued to test himself outside of the state where he has competed in the Super 32 twice and attended the NHSCA grade level nationals three times. Newberg finished second as a freshman at 145, eighth as a sophomore at 152, and missed placing with a 4-2 record as a junior at 160 at the NHSCA nationals. Newberg has also found his way to higher level competitions on the freestyle circuit during the summers. Newberg has been a member of Team Tennessee twice at the USAW National Duals where he has compiled an 11-4 record in freestyle. Newberg finished second at the 2011 Southeast Regionals at 171 in freestyle. Attending Fargo twice, Newberg compiled a 4-2 record as a Cadet and returned as a Junior to once again finish 4-2 while picking up a win over another returning Cadet All-American.
Newberg is a tall, lanky wrestler who understands how to use his leverage well. It is this writer's opinion that he may have the most upside of the top four wrestlers when placed in a college wrestling room. Newberg's frame looks as if he could add considerable muscle as he matures and grows into a solid college upper-weight. Newberg wrestles an active style for an upper-weight wrestler and has a wide array of scoring holds from both neutral and top. Newberg is a crafty wrestler as well, understanding how to get an opponent to relax before he takes that period or round ending shot. Good, natural hips, an attitude that loves seeking out strong wrestling competition, and room to continue to improve in all three positions should keep Newberg an attractive prospect for college coaches. If he is able to add more chain wrestling from neutral, Newberg may become the most desirable recruit who hasn't committed from this crop of Tennessee seniors.
5. Cody Davis (Pigeon Forge)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 182/195
Projected College Weight Class: 184/197
Cody DavisHowever, Davis' success hasn't been limited to inside the Tennessee borders ... this two- sport athlete (Davis play middle linebacker on the football team) has tasted national competition in folkstyle and the international styles. Davis finished sixth at the NHSCA Sophomore Nationals at 171 with a 5-3 record and then returned to Virginia Beach where he went 3-2 in the Junior Nationals at 189 with both losses coming to wrestlers who would place. Davis hasn't remained satisfied with competing in a tournament that closely follows the high school season; he has twice attended the Super 32 where he has a 4-4 overall record. Davis has sporadically competed in the international styles claiming a Southeast Regional freestyle championship in 2009 as a 171 pound Cadet and a third place medal in Greco-Roman the same year. Davis also was a member of Team Tennessee at the USAW Junior Duals in 2011 where he had an overall record 6-5 (4-3 freestyle, 2-2 Greco-Roman).
Stylistically, Davis wrestles a physical style from his feet showing strong hand-fighting skills. However, he is no slouch on the mat as he has 90 falls in his high school career. Cody will likely have to make a choice between playing football and wrestling in college but believes wrestling may be the better path for him. Given a solid academic background and a reputation as a disciplined and hard-working athlete, Davis is likely to be a solid asset to whatever program he chooses to join.
6. Austin Woods (Franklin)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 132
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Austin WoodsWoods displays strong skills on his feet but is solid in most positions. Playing to his strength on his feet, Woods wrestles at a solid pace and works his opponents while staying in solid position. This makes him tough to score on and leaves him ready to capitalize when his opponents force a bad position.
7. Cole Moseley (Father Ryan)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 138/145
Projected College Weight Class: 141/149
Cole MoseleyGetting outside of the state Moseley has attended the NHSCA age group nationals twice. As a sophomore Moseley was 4-2 at 119 while as a junior he finished 3-2 with both losses coming to wrestlers who would place in the top six. Off-season injuries, including a rib injury this year, and other commitments have kept Moseley from seeing much out-of-state competition in freestyle or Greco-Roman.
A tactical and cerebral wrestler, Moseley wrestles a controlled and solid match against most competition. Moseley is not the type of wrestler to physically overwhelm many opponents and instead tends to force his opponents into positions where they make a mistake, and he is able to capitalize. An intelligent student to go along with his wrestling acumen, Moseley is a member of multiple honors societies and his college interests include the Air Force Academy, UNC, Princeton, Army, and Virginia.
8. Alex Ward (McCallie)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 138
Projected College Weight Class: 133/141
Alex WardWard hasn't competed outside of the state much aside from a few in season tournaments but did attend the Super 32 this past season where he finished with a 3-2 record. Ward also earned a third-place finish at the Southeast Prep School Slam during his junior campaign.
Ward is a wrestler who scrambles well and is solid from the top position. This Blue Tornado wrestler has shown a strong leg ride, power-half series and also commonly looks for tilts from top, favoring those that come from a cross-wrist ride. In neutral Ward uses his relatively lanky frame to his advantage using an underhook, throw-by to single leg and a front headlock series to pick up solid takedowns. Ward is an Eagle Scout and National Honor Society member who has expressed interest in heading west to continue his college career with interest in Utah Valley University, Boise State, and Cal Poly.
9. T.J. Holmes (Father Ryan)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 182
Projected College Weight Class: 184/197
T.J. HolmesHolmes has competed in only one major national tournament, the NHSCA Junior Nationals, where he compiled a 5-2 record while taking losses to the fourth and fifth-place finishers.
Like his teammate Moseley, Holmes is a smart tactical wrestler who controls the pace of his matches well. In moving up in weight over the last year, Holmes added a lot of strength which has complimented his style of picking and choosing his shots well. Not an overly aggressive wrestler, Holmes is comfortable winning a decision once he has built his lead against a tough opponent. Holmes hasn't made any college decisions at this point but is interested in continuing his career in college. It is this writer's hope that he finds the proper fit and continues his involvement in the sport.
10. Matthew Cate (Baylor)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 152/160
Projected College Weight Class: 157
Analysis: Matthew Cate has been one of the more consistent and hard-working wrestlers in the state over the past few seasons. While Cate is one of two wrestlers in this list not to win a state title he is a three-time DII state placer; finishing third at 140 as freshman, 3rd at 152 as a sophomore, and runner-up at 152 as a junior. Cate may not have picked up a state title yet but he has several quality wins including one over last year's state champion and defeating at least one Fargo All-American in the past season. Cate is a solid wrestler who doesn't surrender many points and is rarely out of a match ... in the previous two seasons Cate has only surrendered two bonus point losses, both major-decisions. Cate has compiled a record of 107-32 while wrestling for the Red Raiders which includes an 8-3 record competing at The Clash and a second-place finish at the Southeast Prep School Slam.
If you wanted to sum up Cate's wrestling style in one word it would probably be pressure. Cate's strong motor allows him to keep pressure on his opponent from all three positions. In neutral Cate uses active hands that are constantly pawing at his opponent's head and good foot movement to keep the pressure on his opponent. When found in the down position Cate keeps a fairly constant flow of motion and is rarely shy about looking for the reversal. From the top position, Cate looks for his spiral ride early and is often looking to trap the far triceps and switches quickly to a high-single should his opponent reach their feet.
Honorable Mention:
Patrick Benson (Bradley Central) -- DI state champion at 285, two-time placer
Jack Boone (Notre Dame) --Two-time runner-up, three time placer in DI
Barrett Gauger (Baylor) -- DII state champion at 285
Holden Schay (Houston) -- DI state champion at 171, two-time placer
John Shrader (Franklin) -- State runner-up, two-time placer in DI
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