Eight girls and six boys wrestled their way to the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships, to be held Friday, Feb. 21, and Saturday, Feb. 22, in Franklin, Tennessee.
Austin Peay hosted the girls’ sectionals on Fri., Feb. 14. The Lady Coyotes advanced eight wrestlers out of 12 weight classes with no one wrestling in the 100-pound class.
Wrestlers advancing to the Championships are as follows:
- Syriana Berrios, senior (114 lbs.), second place
- Elease Renken, senior (120 lbs.), first place
- Jes Barefiled, senior (126 lbs.), second place
- Lexi Dean, sophomore (132 lbs.), first place
- Mariana Bowen, junior (138 lbs.), first place
- Bella Laurin, freshman (152 lbs.), third place
- Irelynn Laurin, junior (185 lbs.), first place
- Jehiel Velez-Almodovar, senior (235 lbs.), second place
Barefield and Bowen brought home gold medals last year by placing first in their weight classes. Barefield is now a four-time state qualifier, while Renken and Bowen are now three-time state qualifiers. Bowen has brought home the gold in two weight classes. Dean finished runner-up last year.
Clarksville High School hosted the boys’ sectionals on Sat., Feb. 15. The Coyotes advanced six wrestlers out of 14 weight classes with no one wrestling in the 150-pound weight class.
Wrestlers advancing to the Championships are as follows:
- Colin Villaluz, senior (106 lbs.), third place
- Caleb Villaluz, senior (113 lbs.), third place
- Jamie Dexter, junior (120 lbs.), fourth place
- Willliam Avila, senior (132 lbs.), second place
- Ty Hutchens, junior (144 lbs.), first place
- Standford Thompson, senior (190 lbs.), first place
The Coyotes return two wrestlers to the State Tournament: Hutchens and Thompson finished third in their weight classes in 2024.
The State Championships will be held at the Williamson County AG Expo Park in Franklin beginning on Friday, Feb. 21. The address is 4215 Long Lane, Franklin, TN 37064.
