GRAY DEYOSports Writer

Corbin Avans and Zachary Murphy, juniors on the Tullahoma wrestling team, are sure to make a big impact in their third year at Tullahoma High School.

The Tullahoma wrestling team put together an unbelievable season last year. They qualified as a team for the state duals, and they had nine wrestlers compete in the individual state tournament: Avans, Sylas McGowen, Carson Avans, Bob Tatum, Kameron Stafford, Sayvion Surles, Kiivon Butler, Murphy, and Nolan Stroop. The squad performed well in the state duals, but got a tough draw in the first round against Signal Mountain.

Signal ended up placing second in the tourney.

The Wildcats grabbed a win in the constellation bracket and lost in the third-place match against Pigeon Forge, and ultimately placed fourth. At the individual state tournament, the Wildcat wrestlers were putting together great performance, after great performance, and the two sophomores Murphy and Avans were especially standing out. Both qualified and made the state tournament as freshman and they showed in their second year at THS that they were not slowing down.

Murphy in the 132 weight class medaled for the second year in a row and grabbed a fifth-place finish. Avans also medaled for the second consecutive year and secured a second-place medal.

The two when they step on the mat bring an extreme intensity. They both execute their moves at a high level, and it is evident that it is because of the amount of extra work they put in when they are outside of the THS program.

Going into their junior seasons there is no telling what they can accomplish. But one thing is for sure, both of their main goals are aimed at that top spot of the podium at the Ag Expo Center in Franklin. Nothing less. That is just the type of athletes they are.