By Rick Sheek
Dalton Callahan is the last man standing for Elizabethton’s wrestling team.
Bart Nave/www.bart.ifp3.com - Dalton Callahan stands at 30-10 on the season.
The junior in the 145-pound class is the only Cyclone still alive in the state tournament at Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Arena. Callahan lost in the round of 32, but bounced back with a pair of victories on Thursday night.
In the second consolation round, Callahan (30-10) pinned Science Hill senior and Region 1 champion Carson Schurlknight in 4:45. Last weekend, Schurlknight prevailed in that matchup.
“It was really great he was able to avenge that loss,” Coach Curt Malyar said from Franklin. “That was a really great match victory.”
Callahan wrestles Bradley Central junior Robbie Clark at 11 this morning.
“It’s going to be a pretty tough match,” Malyar said. “You’ve just got to wait and see. You never know how they’re going to wrestle.
“Luckily, his draw worked out for him. He did a good job, beating him like he did and doing what he needed to do. That’s why we need to wrestle.”
Elizabethton’s wrestling team got off to a rough start. All five Cyclones were defeated in the round of 32, and three were gone in the opening consolation round.
But Callahan and Tank Williams didn’t go away. The Elizabethton juniors stayed alive.
Callahan recorded an 11-2 major decision over Walker Valley sophomore Lawrence Cotton. Also in the first consolation round, Williams pinned Springfield senior Andy Browning in 2:51.
Williams (26-11) was eliminated by Northwest Clarksville’s Andrew Craft on a 2-1 decision. The coach insisted he and many of his peers had problems with the inconsistency of the officiating.
“It depends on the matchups,” Malyar said. “You’ve got to take the wins when you can.”
In the round of 32, Nick Malyar went down by an 18-4 major decision to Heritage junior Skyler Boring. Callahan was pinned in 2:17 by Soddy Daisy junior Turbo Smith.
Taylor lost by decision to Dickson County’s Ethan Webster 12-9. Williams was pinned in 3:55 by Wilson Central’s John Kramer.
Buck (31-10) lost by forfeit to Maryville freshman Chad Solomon and to East Ridge freshman DeAngelo Johnson.
Malyar (34-5) lost by decision to East Ridge junior Kendall Small 5-2 in the opening round of consolations. Taylor (25-12) was eliminated by Raleigh Egypt junior Martavious Hayshett 10-4.
The girls’ round of eight begins today at noon. Elizabethton’s Clarissa Ceffalo, the defending state champion at 185 pounds, drew a first-round bye.
Happy Valley’s Valerie Bradshaw wrestles Clarksville Northeast’s Maygan Reeves at 112. Also from the Lady Warriors: Amanda Hennessee meets South Greene’s Rebecca Shelton at 125, Lexi Oliver takes on Soddy Daisy’s Brittany Price at 148 and Kiara Coffey battles Science Hill’s Gillium Garman-Davis at 155.
The girls’ semifinals are set for 8 p.m.
