SM-Tn Sports
After debuting at No. 9 in the Tennessee Wrestling Coaches Poll and moving up a spot last week, Summit slipped to 10th in this week’s 12-team listing.
The Spartans, one of five Midstate teams ranked, improved on a third-place finish at the inaugural Yellow Jacket Invitational at Fairview with a runner-up showing at the second Franklin Invitational tourney this past weekend. Summit advanced five wrestlers to the finals, with Luke Justice and Ryan Smith winning titles at 170 and 285 pounds, respectively.
Baylor continues in the top spot, with Cleveland, Wilson Central, Christian Brothers and Bradley Central rounding out the top five as they did in each of the previous polls.
Also ranked are Father Ryan, Blackman and Oakland, with Beech, Centennial, Clarksville and Montgomery Bell Academy also receiving votes.
Now in its 29th year, the poll is primarily a measure of dual-meet strength with some consideration given to individual tournament strength. Votes are cast by a statewide panel of high school coaches and are based on a maximum power ranking of 144.
This week’s poll, with power ranking points and previous ranking, follows:
1 Baylor 141 1
2 Cleveland 133 2
3 Wilson Central 117 3
4 Christian Brothers 112 4
5 Bradley Central 96 5
6 Father Ryan 61 12
7 Blackman 59 6
8 McCallie 50 7
9 Pigeon Forge 46 10
10 Summit 42 8
11 Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett 38 9
12 Oakland 13 NR
Also receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Beech, Centennial, Clarksville, Heritage, Montgomery Bell Acad.
2021 state wrestling sites set: Next month’s state dual and individual wrestling championship venues were recently announced by the TSSAA.
With the Williamson County Ag Expo being utilized for COVID-19 testing, the Franklin facility is unavailable for the tournaments, which have been held there since 2010.
Instead, state duals will be held at four other sites in Williamson County – Centennial, Independence and Nolensville high schools and Mill Creek Middle School. The Class AAA duals tourney will feature eight teams (rather than 16), with four teams advancing to the Class A/AA, Division II and Girls events.
All four tournaments will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, with the state individual tourneys to take place roughly two weeks later, on Feb. 18-20. Those will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center, with the Class A/AA event scheduled for Thursday, Girls and DII on Friday and Class AAA on Saturday.
More information will be available on TSSAAsports.com as the details are finalized.