Star Staff Reports
For the first time in 30 years, the Millington Trojan Wrestling team are Regional Dual Champions.
On Saturday, the Trojans outlasted Montgomery Central High School in the Sectional Round for a chance to advance to the State Dual Championship in Franklin. Millington entered the event as District 15 and Region 8 champions.
The Indians made the trip from Cunningham Saturday to the William L. Osteen Gymnasium with the matches starting at 11:30 a.m. By the afternoon, the 2023-24 Trojans achieved history.
“1994, 30 years ago, that’s how much time has passed since the Millington Trojans Wrestling team were Region champs,” Coach Jeremy Haley said. “That changed Thursday night at Munford, as the Trojans downed the host Munford Cougars 42-33.”
Because of the previous snow storm on Jan. 15, the District 15 and Region 8 matches were combined to a one-night winner-take-all format for a trip to sectionals.
“It was definitely additional pressure, wrestling for both titles at once, but our guys showed up tonight and made the hard work pay off,” Haley said, a former Trojan wrestler himself.
Halfway through the match, the Trojans found themselves down 27-12, and a long way to go to catch the red-hot Cougars. At that point, Ryan Ritter and Rylenn Keme were the lone bright spots for the Trojans, pinning their opponents to keep the Trojans within striking distance. Dalton Lopez started the Trojan comeback, pinning his opponent, which set the table for the rest of the match.
After Derrick Bolden won by forfeit, Will Howard earned a win to tie the match at 27. Dylan Chapman earned a major victory, and Noah Stevens pinned his opponent to put the Trojans on the brink of the titles.
The Trojans placed their hopes on the shoulders of senior Alejandro Gutierrez. Gutierrez delivered overwhelming his opponent for the entire first period.
In the second period, Gutierrez continued the onslaught until he secured his hold and earned the pin and the championships for the Trojans.
“Just a great feeling right now,” Haley said. “It’s been a long time coming and our guys have worked so hard, it’s great to see their perseverance and how they handled the pressure to earn the win. And we get to host the Sectional on Saturday.”
With the win against Munford, the Trojans earned the opportunity to host the Sectional match against Montgomery Central.
Saturday’s affair wa back-and-forth, with the lead changing hands multiple times. This time the Trojans started hot, winning the first two matches by major decision (Bolden and Howard) to take an 8-0 lead. Montgomery Central stormed back with three straight wins to take the lead 13-8.
Gutierrez started another win streak for the Trojans, followed by James Tuepker and Ritter, and the Trojans found themselves up 23-13. Two Montgomery Central wins later, the Trojans trailed 25-23.
“I was a little nervous, but we had three wrestlers left I thought should win and little Andy is scrappy, so I felt we had a great chance to get this done.” Haley acknowledged.
Elijah Whitby and Keme won by pin, and Lopez won by technical fall to clinch the Sectional title and send the Trojans to State.
106
Wilson Troyani (Montgomery Central) over Andy Rayo (Millington Centeral) MD 13-0
113
Dalton Lopez (Millington Central) over Noah Davis (Montgomery Central) TF 17-2 2:45
120
Derrick Bolden (Millington Central) over Jackson Key (Montgomery Central) MD 9-1
126
William Howard (Millington Central) over Christian Malavar (Montgomery Central) MD 9-0
132
Craig Sudderth (Montgomery Central) over Dylan Chapman (Millington Central) Fall 5:28
138
Jeremy Mills (Montgomery Central) over Noah Stevens (Millington Central) Dec 7-2
144
Reese Levendusky (Montgomery Central) over Rodrell Yarbrough (Millington Central) MD 11-1
150
Alejandro Gutierrez (Millington Central) over Dustin Basham (Montgomery Central) Dec 4-1
157
James Tuepker (Millington Central) over Levi Mayfield (Montgomery Central) Fall 5:03
165
Ryan Ritter (Millington Central) over Caleb Norfleet (Montgomery Central) Fall 4:53
175
Joshua Hodges (Montgomery Central) over Connor Martin (Millington Central) Fall 3:38
190
Immanuel Gilmore (Montgomery Central) over Aiden Flaugher (Millington Central) Fall 5:12
215
Elijah Whitby (Millington Central) over Logan Webb (Montgomery Central) Fall 4:54
285
Rylenn Keme (Millington Central) over Bruce Sergerson (Montgomery Central) Fall 1:27
STATE INFORMATION
Saturday, February 3, @ Williamson County Expo Center
The Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Park is located on 110 picturesque acres in historically rich Franklin, Tennessee, and is conveniently located at I-65 and Peytonsville Road (Exit #61).
Tickets
$12 per day if purchased in advance on GoFan.
$15 per day purchased with cash at the gate.
Everyone school-age and older must purchase a ticket.
TACA cards will be honored when presented with a matching photo ID at the pass gate to the right of the main entrance. The TSSAA ID card and TMSAA ID card will NOT be accepted for admission.
School administrators who are registered on the TSSAA Portal can sign-in for free admission at the pass gate to the right of the main entrance.
Parking
Parking is $5 per vehicle per day. Parking can be purchased in advance on GoFan or with cash upon arrival.
