By Michael Butler

There was not much drama in Birmingham, just dominance. There would be no second place this time.

The Tallassee wrestling team beat St. John Paul II 63-16 and Oak Grove 69-11 for the AHSAA Class 1A-4A state championship in Birmingham on Saturday.

It was Tallassee’s third straight year in the final – and the third time was the charm.

The Tigers improved to 41-0 in duals matches on the season and claimed the program’s second state team title. The other came in 2014 under head coach John Mask, who was beaming with pride after being handed the trophy.

“I can’t express how proud I am of this team,” Mask said. “They have worked so hard and our senior leadership has been outstanding.”

Tallassee jumped out to insurmountable leads early in both matches with one pin after another. Midway through the match lineup, the outcome had already been decided.

“We wrestled our best matches of the season today,” Mask added. “Every Tallassee wrestler played a part in this championship. Watching our young men compete and develop over the years just brings so much joy to the coaching staff.”

There are still two more weeks in the regular season before the traditional post-season which opens the door for individual titles and possibly another team championship.

Championship Call by Mark Bell

Semifinal Results (Tallassee 63, St. John Paul II 16)

108 pounds: Thomas Patterson, Tallassee pinned Ethan Lowe St. Paul II, Fall 1:09
115 pounds: Mason Nelson, Tallassee pinned ,Sam Kostrzewam, St. John Paul II) Fall 1:30
122 pounds: Mateo Jimenez, St. John Paul II pinned Preston Parker, Tallassee, Fall 1:08
128 pounds: Dylan Price, Tallassee, major dec. Benjamin Santy, St. John Paul II), MJ 15-4
134 pounds: Aiden Bridgman, Tallassee pinned Cody Rye, St. John Paul II, Fall 2:48
140 pounds: Roman McWilliams, Tallassee dec. Trevor Cianfaglione, St. John Paul II, TF 17-1
146 pounds: Julian Lowe, St. John Paul II dec. John Creswell, Tallassee), TF 20-4
152 pounds:  Brady Adams, Tallassee wins by forfeit
159 pounds: Land Bell, Tallassee pinned Jacob Sweitzer, St. John Paul II), Fall 0:32
167 pounds: Tra`mel Moy, Tallassee pinned Peter Hildebrandt, St. John Paul II, Fall 1:31
177 pounds: Jaeson Bucio, St. John Paul II dec. Joseph Hooks, Tallassee, DQ
192 pounds: Zachary Crosthwait, Tallassee pinned, Brennan Bowling, St. John Paul II, Fall 0:16
217 pounds: Nolan Addeo, Tallassee pinned Carter Bennett, St. John Paul II), Fall 0:47
287 pounds: Jude Rogers, Tallassee wins by forfeit

Championship Results (Tallassee 69, Oak Grove 11):

108 pounds: Thomas Patterson, Tallassee dec. Kellen Mitchell, Oak Grove, TF 17-2
115 pounds: Mason Nelson, Tallassee pinned Christian Hill, Oak Grove, Fall 2:47
122 pounds: Micah Woodman, Oak Grove) dec. Karter Armstrong, Tallassee, TF 15-0
128 pounds: David Hill, Oak Grove pinned Dylan Price, Tallassee, Fall 3:36
134 pounds: Aiden Bridgman, Tallassee pinned Aiden Sumner, Oak Grove, Fall 1:28
140 pounds: Roman McWilliams, Tallassee pinned Kason Yancey, Oak Grove,  Fall 1:22
146 pounds: Avery Brantley, Tallassee pinned Brantley Thomas, Oak Grove,  Fall 0:32
152 pounds: Land Bell, Tallassee won by forfeit
159 pounds: Brady Adams, Tallassee dec. Ethan Jones, Oak Grove, TF 18-1
167 pounds: Tra`mel McCoy, Tallassee dec. Rylan Covin, Oak Grove, TF 20-2
177 pounds: Joseph Hooks, Tallassee pinned Brody Frederick, Oak Grove, Fall 0:37
192 pounds:  Zachary Crosthwait, Tallassee pinned Jackson Bonnett, Oak Grove, Fall 1:36
217 pounds: Nolan Addeo, Tallassee pinned Cooper Edmondson, Oak Grove, Fall 1:30
287 pounds: Jude Rogers, Tallassee pinned Knox Wilson, Oak Grove, Fall 6:57