BY JESSE SMITHEY
The Greeneville High School wrestling program’s trip to the TSSAA State Tournament in Franklin, Tenn., turned out to be much more fruitful this time around.
Not only did the Greene Devils win a team state title, but they also had four individuals win state championships.
Greenevillle won the traditional Class A state championship with 166 total points, some 56 ahead of second-place Signal Mountain. Pigeon Forge was third at 96.5.
Greeneville finished runner-up to Signal Mountain in the Class A state dual wrestling championships three weeks ago in Franklin.
Kodiak Cannedy cemented his already impressive legacy with Greeneville wrestling this weekend by winning the 170 weight class bracket in Class A. He won his title match with a fall in just 54 seconds. He was named Most Outstanding Wrestler in the Class A division.
What’s more, his win Saturday gave him four individual state championships in as many years — and in four different weight classifications (126, 145, 160 and 170).
Cannedy has signed to wrestle at Arkansas – Little Rock.
His teammate Hunter Mason is on a similar trajectory of success. Mason, a junior at Greenville, won it all in 126 in 2020, in 138 in 2021 and then 145 on Saturday with a tech-fall decision.
Also winning individual titles for Greeneville were: Carson Dupill (freshman) and Colin Dupill (junior) in 106 and 152, respectively.
Alcoa junior Lance Williams may be known more for his football prowess as a three-time state football champion and Power-5 prospect, but he added some more credence to his wrestling ability this weekend, as well.
Williams claimed the Class A 285 championship with a fall over Fulton senior Seth Vaughn (a Tennessee Tech football signee) in 2:49. Williams won it all in 285 in 2020, too, but wasn’t able to compete in 2021 because of injury.
Other area wrestlings winning individual championships include:
Andy Cable (Pigeon Forge, junior) – Class A, 126 weight class
Hunter Strugill (Heritage, freshman) – Class AA, 132 weight class
Ella Murphey (Hardin Valley, sophomore) – Girls 185*
* – won state in 190 last season
DIVISION II
Just two weeks after winning a state duals team title, Lakeway Christian finished third on Feb. 19 in the traditional Division II tournament at MBA in Nashville.
Baylor claimed first while Father Ryan finished second.
Lakeway’s much-accomplished senior and Virginia signee, Keyveon Roller, won his final match of his prep career, taking the Division II 132 weight class championship in a 4-2 decision.
Fellow Lakeway seniors Brayden Ivey (145 class) and Colby Dalon (160) won individual state championships, as well.