By Michael Butler

The Tallassee boys and girls wrestling teams will have 17 total wrestlers in Huntsville for the AHSAA state championships this week. The Tiger boys finished first at the South Sectional in Montgomery last week. The girls were second.

The THS boys have already won the Class 1A-4A duals state championship in Birmingham and will go for the team sweep this week, a feat they accomplished last year.

Tallassee finished 41-1 in duals matches this year. Last year’s team was 43-0 and had five individual champions (Thomas Patterson, Mason Nelson, Land Bell, Tra’mel McCoy, Nolan Addeo). Patterson and McCoy are among the nine wrestlers on the boys’ team headed north this week.

“I think we’re the team to beat,” said Patterson, who is wrestling at 113 pounds this season. “I’ve always wanted to be one of the best to come through Tallassee. This is all I do. I hate losing.”

Patterson has only lost once this year. The junior is 52-1.

Avery Brantley looks to be at his best entering championship week. The senior won the 150-pound division in Montgomery. He is 46-7 this season.

“I think I’m peaking at the right time,” Brantley said. “I feel good. I was on my offense all weekend. Got to do it again when it matters.”

The boys’ qualifiers are Braxton Alvarez (106), Thomas Patterson (113), Dylan Alvarez (120), Dylan Price (126), Karter Armstrong (132), Avery Brantley (150), Brady Adams (157), Tra’mel McCoy (175) and AJ Henry (215).

Like Patterson and Brantley, Adams and McCoy placed first at sectionals. Adams is 50-1 on the year. McCoy is 47-0.

The girls’ team qualified eight for state: Maddie Tennyson (100), Abbi Carwile (126), Sparrow Sgarlata (132), Milly Crain (145), Kaitee Dempsey (152), Skylor Hall (165), Natalie Mote (185) and Kaylee Fannin (235).

Fannin (19-7) is the program’s first sectionals champion and making her second trip to Huntsville. Carwile and Crain are also two-time state qualifiers.

“This year was tough,” said Carwile, who is 23-4 this season. “I moved up a weight class and hurt my shoulder two weeks before sectionals.”

Injuries plagued some of the boys this week as well in Montgomery.

“Aiden Bridgman and Troy Kelly had knee injuries this weekend,” head coach John Mask said. “They pushed through and lost in the blood rounds. They were one match away. I can’t say enough about their heart and work ethic. It’s sad for them. I have faith in the nine we’re taking. They’re going to get after it.”

Alexandria qualified the most wrestlers for state with 11. Oak Grove, who finished second to Tallassee in the sectional has nine qualifiers. Weaver with eight qualifiers and Dora with seven are also contenders.

“It’s going to be a low-scoring event I believe,” Mask added. “Everybody’s got to score. We’re going to have to wrestle our best. If we get four in the finals and other guys to place, we’ll have a chance.”

Brooke Barron is in her first year as head coach in year two of the girls’ program.

“We had a total of 18 girls on the team,” said Barron. “All 18 played a part. They help prepare for these matches. Our record ended up being 14-3. I’m very impressed with that. We’re one of the schools who can send out a full roster in a dual.

“The boys’ team has helped us. We’ve had guys help with our practices. They coach them and show them moves. What we’ve been able to learn from the boys is very much appreciated.”

Mask concurred.

“Culture breeds winning and being around each other. Having a positive mindset and a winning attitude goes a long way. The girls have jumped in and expected to win just like we do.”

The boys will depart on Wednesday. Weigh-ins are at 7:30 on Thursday morning with wrestling at 9. The girls will drive up Thursday morning with weigh-ins at 2 p.m. and wrestling during the afternoon session.

Schedule/Results