Wrestlers begin state run

By ROB NUNLEY

Jon Paz and Aaron Thomas, pictured on the front page, advanced to the quarterfinal round of the TSSAA state wrestling tournament before falling into the consolation brackets.

The quest for the state wresting championship began Wednesday at UT-Chattanooga?s McKenzie Arena, and as of Thursday?s press deadline two of the Pioneers? five qualifiers had been eliminated, while the remaining three were battling in the consolation brackets of their respective weight classes.

According to TSSAA regulations, any wrestler who is defeated by an opponent who then advances to the semifinals may drop into the consolation bracket, with a possible shot at finishing third in their division.

Pioneer senior Jon Paz, wrestling at 215 pounds, just missed a shot at the semifinal round in the championship bracket, falling to Farragut?s Shane Reveiz 3-2 in their quarterfinal match. The loss moved Paz into the consolation round, where he was still awaiting an opponent as of Thursday?s press time.

Paz opened tournament play with a second-round pin of Davy Crockett?s Brian Johnson, then took a major decision (11-2) over Clarksville?s Steven Robinson to reach the quarterfinal round.

Fellow senior Aaron Thomas was in the same situation in the 160-pound division, after winning his first two matches before losing in the quarters. Thomas defeated TSB?s John Gentuso to open his tourney run, and downed Jacob Jordan of Clarksville in the second round before falling short against Ravenwood?s John Warren by an 11-5 decision.

In the 119-pound bracket, Warren County?s Casey Welch was pinned in the first round of his opening match, losing to Collinwood?s Blake Britcliffe. Welch found himself in the consolation bracket, however, as Britcliffe went on to win a pair of lopsided matches to advance to the 119 semifinals.

In his first consolation match, Welch pinned Knoxville Halls? Trent LaRue, needing 1:18 into the second round.

All members of the Pioneers? senior class, Paz, Thomas and Welch have a chance to make school history. According to WCHS coach Matt Turner, a third-place state finish would be the highest ever by a Pioneer, as the team has never had a wrestler finish higher than fourth place.

Rush Reedy and Bobby Rampp, wrestling at 140 and 145 pounds, respectively, were both eliminated from the tournament after losing their first-round matches. Reedy fell to Bolton?s Riley Hannah, who was pinned in the second round, while Josh Disney of Bradley Central topped Rampp, then went on to lose in the quarterfinals.

The state tournament continues today, with every wrestler who reaches today?s action guaranteed a medal.