HUNTSVILLE – Defending Class 7A state champion Thompson High School captured its seventh state championship Saturday while McAdory and Moody claimed each school’s first-ever state crowns in the Class 6A and Class 1A/5A divisions, respectively.
The Warriors of Coach Sean Weltzin, who had eight wrestlers in the finals Saturday, concluded with 180 points, shattering the previous state record set by Thompson (140) in 2015. Hoover was second with 116.5 points and Vestavia Hills was third with 97.
McAdory, coached by Blake Dutton, placed seven wrestlers in the finals with all seven winning their weight class titles and finished with 154 points. Wetumpka was a close second with 137.5 and Benjamin Russell was third with 136.
And in the 1A/5A division, Moody, coached by Greg Jefcoat, posted 148.5 points to nip defending champion Arab, which finished 8.5 points behind at 140. Scottsboro was third with 122.
Steve Bell of McAdory concluded his senior season pinning Benjamin Russell senior Robert Graham in the finals to close at 91-0 to earn Class 6A meet MVP honors – tying the NFHS national record for wins in a season. His win broke the state record (90-0) set by Macon Edwards of Fultondale in 2016. McAdory’s Turner Black also won the 182-pound title with a pin over Wetumpka’s Noah Barclay to finish the season 90-1 – tying Edwards’ previous mark.
Thompson senior Gabe Hixenbaugh (44-3) led the Warriors’ domination in Class 7A with his fifth state title with a technical fall win over Conner Dubble of Hoover in the 138-pound finals. Hixenbaugh finished his career 249-17 – only three matches in competition against AHSAA competition in the seventh grade and then went unbeaten in the state the last five seasons.
Chandler Akins (53-6) closed out his senior season winning the 126-pound title for his third state crown for the Warriors.
Moody had five wrestlers in the finals with three, Cory Land (47-0), Sage Hughes (66-7) and Rashad Clark (66-2) each winning state titles at 106, 145 and 152 pounds, respectively.
Senior Christian Knop (71-0) of Alexandria closed out his career with a pin at 195 pounds in 1A/5A over Corner sophomore Cole Fuller (48-7) to become the first AHSAA wrestler to win four state titles with undefeated records. The North Carolina State signee finished his career 235-0 to rank third nationally in consecutive wins. The national record for consecutive wins, according to the NFHS Record Book, is 260 – set by Hesperia (MN) wrestler Justin Zeerip from 2004-2008. Alex Tsirtsis of Griffin (IN) ranks second with 236. Knop’s total ranks him third. Knop had most pins (4 in 8:40) in 1A/5A and teammate Fletcher Swindallwas named most valuable wrestler.
St. John Paul II Catholic senior Jayson Spencer (39-2) defeated Hayden’s Colby Hallmark (58-5) 7-6 in what was judged as the best match of the finals in 1A/5A to win the first individual title in school history. The blind wrestler is a senior.
Clay-Chalkville’s Jack Jones had most pins in Class 6A for the meet (4 in 4:15) while the 152-pound match between Oxford’s Reed Hill and Benjamin Russell’s Saxon Coker was judged best match.
Grissom’s Tyler Ivey was named 7A MVP. Thompson’s Derek Hussey had most pins (3 in 8:13), and best match was Hayden McDonald of Mountain Brook vs. Hoover’s Jack White in the 195 pound finals.
Complete Saturday results:
CLASS 1A/5A
Team Scoring (Top 10)
Moody 148.5; Arab 140; Scottsboro 122; Alexandria 106.5; Southside-Gadsden 86.5; Saint James 86; Mortimer Jordan 80; Elmore County 69; Ranburne 67; Hayden 65.
Individual Finals
The complete championship pairings include:.
AHSAA Wrestling Championships
Saturday’s Championship Matches
CLASS 1A/5A
Team Scoring (Top 10)
Moody 148.5; Arab 140; Scottsboro 122; Alexandria 106.5; Southside-Gadsden 86.5; Saint James 86; Mortimer Jordan 80; Elmore County 69; Ranburne 67; Hayden 65.
Individual Finals
106 pounds: Cory Land, Moody (47-0), Fr. def. Jacob Holland, Arab (69-6), So. (dec. 8-2)
113 pounds: Jackson Elder, American Christian (34-1), Sr., def. Parker Dodd, Moody (58-11), So. (3-2)
120 pounds: Jacob Dease, Southside-Gadsden (59-5), So. Def. Will Jefcoat, Moody (34-5), Sr. (MD 13-3)
126 pounds: Fletcher Swindall, Alexanderia (63-1) def. Jackson Howard, Saint James (41-3), Sr. (dev. 7-0)
132 pounds: Jaden New, Alexandria (66-2), Fr. def. Cody Souder, Weaver (64-11), So. (MD 15-3)
138 pounds: Garrett McClendon, Arab (67-7), Sr. def. Evan Vieira, New Hope (35-6), Jr. (pinn, 1:38)
145 pounds: Sage Hughes, Moody, Sr. (66-7) def. Zeke Smotherman, Madison County (30-5), Jr. (dec. 12-10)
152 pounds: Rashad Clark, Moody (66-2), Sr. def. Zachary Williamson, Cleburne County (44-4), Jr. (pin 2:38)
160 pounds: Jayson Spencer, St. John Paul II (38-2), Sr. def. Colby Hallmark, Hayden (58-5), Sr. (dec. 7-6)
170 pounds: Gerrard McCarron, St. John Paul II Catholic (36-2), Sr. def. Damian Ramirez, Scottsboro (37-4), Sr. (SV-1, 3-1)
182 pounds: Kolton Clark, Scottsboro (36-1), Sr. def. Andy Baker, Tallassee (24-2), Sr. MD 12-1)
195 pounds: Christian Knop, Alexandria (71-0), Sr. def. Cole Fuller, Corner (48-7) So. (pin 3:21)
220 pounds: Skyler Mizzell, St. Clair County (59-4), Sr. def. Caleb Anderson, Scottsboro (31-7), Sr. (dec. 4-2)
285 pounds: Michael Barnes, Mortimer Jordan (40-5) Sr. def. Ronny Henderson, Dora (45-7), Jr. (dec. 3-2)
6A Team Scoring (Top 10)
McAdory 154; Wetumpka 137.5; Benjamin Russell 136; Oxford 122; Clay-Chalkville 110; Gardendale 90; Mae Jemison 86.5; Gulf Shores 84; Helena 82; Opelika 70.
Individual Finals
106 pounds: Xander McWilliams, Wetumpka (68-4), So. def. Blake Isbell, Pell City (45-11), Jr. (dec. 5-0)
113 pounds: Tyrique Simms, Mae Jemison (30-12), So. def. Michael Moran, Helena (45-7), Jr. (dec. 11-6)
120 pounds: Kyler Adams, Wetumpka (65-3), So. def. Gabriel Warren, Spanish Fort (73-8), Fr. (dec. 6-3)
126 pounds: Will Miller, Helena (50-6) def. Landon Burrage, Oxford (51-11), Sr. (dec. 6-0)
132 pounds: Steven Bell, McAdory (91-0), Sr. def. Robert Graham, Benjamin Russell (45-15), Sr. (pin, 2:40)
138 pounds: Deacon Cowart, Athens (34-5), Sr. def. Blake Crocker, Pinson Valley (26-14), Jr (MD 14-3)
145 pounds: Jakob Chisolm, Oxford (59-4), So. def. Desmond Pearson, Mae Jemison (38-3), Jr. (8-4)
152 pounds: Reed Hill, Oxford (59-3), Jr. def. Sason Coker, Benjamin Russell (63-9), Jr. (dec. 3-0)
160 pounds: Ryan Spradley, Benjamin Russell (65-10), Sr. def. Tracy Reed, Pinson Valley (28-6), Jr. (dec. 11-8)
170 pounds: Mason Blackwell, Wetumpka (72-2), So. def. Hezekiah Hunter, Benjamin Russell (42-10), Jr.(MD 10-2)
182 pounds: Turner Black, McAdory (90-1), Sr. def. Noah Barclay, Wetumpka (54-4), Sr. (pin, 5:24)
195 pounds: A.J. Talton, Clay-Chalkville (46-1), Sr. def. Braiden Williams, Baldwin County (44-2), Sr. (pin, 4:42)
220 pounds: Carlos Figueroa, Homewood (44-0), Sr. def. Nathan Dunaway, Helena (41-4), Jr. (pin, 3:18)
285 pounds: Jack Jones, Clay-Chalkville (44-1), Sr. def. Curtis Norris, Benjamin Russell (38-8), Jr. (pin, 1:34)
CLASS 7A
Team Scoring (Top 10)
Thompson 180; Hoover 116.5; Vestavia Hills 97; Bob Jones 92; Hewitt-Trussville 61.5; Spain Park 48; Grissom 40; Oak Mountain 38; Mountain Brook 36; Huntsville 33.
Individual Finals
106 pounds: Zaderian Toney, Bob Jones (21-0), Sr. def. Ryan Summerlin, Vestavia Hills (49-7), Fr. (dec. 5-1)
113 pounds: Dylan Lesueur Thompson (49-2), Sr. def. Nick Smith, Hoover (46-7), Jr. (MD 14-2)
120 pounds: Tyler Ivey, Grissom (47-0), Sr. def. James Latona, Thompson (57-12), Fr. (dec. 5-1)
126 pounds: Chandler Akins, Thompson (53-6), Sr. def. Sullivan Tipton, Oak Mountain (44-7), Jr. (dec. 6-0)
132 pounds: Cole Thomas, Oak Mountain (25-4), Sr. def. Jack Rivers, Spain Park (55-9), Sr. (pin, 4:26)
138 pounds: Gabe Hixenbaugh, Thompson (44-3), Sr. def. Conner Dubble, Hoover (27-14), Sr. (TF 4:48 27-2)
145 pounds: Stone Barden, Hewitt-Trussville (33-1), Sr. def. Maxwell Kauffman, Central-Phenix City (63-1), Sr. (dec. 6-5)
152 pounds: Cale Land, Hewitt-Trussville (39-5) Sr. def. Cole Williams, Huntsville (34-12), Sr. (MD 15-7)
160 pounds: Derek Hussey, Thompson (50-4), Sr. def. Gabriel Pittman, Bob Jones (29-10), Sr. (pin, 1:23)
170 pounds: Peter Dazzio, Vestavia Hills (45-3), Sr. def. Ashunti Perry, Thompson (36-17), Jr. (dec. 9-4)
182 pounds: Dylan Pearson, Auburn (33-0), Jr. def. Tyler Gilson, Thompson (36-17), Jr. (MD 11-2)
195 pounds: Jack White, Hoover (14-2), Fr. def. Hayden McDonald, Mountain Brook (26-4), Sr. (dec. 8-6)
220 pounds: Isaac McAdams, Thompson (49-17), Sr. def. Bryce Carnes, Hoover (22-5), Sr. (dec. 7-4)
285 pounds: Jaxon Bast, Spain Park (58-5), Jr. def. Matt Burrow, James Clemens (19-6), Sr. (dec. 10-5)
CONSOLATION DIVISION
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
CLASS 1A/5A
106 Pounds
3rd Place: Daniel Farias (Fultondale) 74-9, So. over Andrew Maxwell (East Limestone) 45-10, Fr. (MD 11-3)
5th Place: Logan Samples (Saint Clair County) 39-20, 8th. over Travis Bellar (Weaver) 46-25, So. (MD 10-2)
113 Pounds
3rd Place: Trent Robertson (Susan Moore) 29-5, Jr. over Calan Staub (Southside) 47-22, Fr. (Dec 7-1)
5th Place: Evan Phillips (Hayden) 64-12, 8th. over Austin Silva (Arab) 55-13, Fr. (Dec 10-6)
120 Pounds
3rd Place: Bronson Jackson (Arab) 42-7, Fr. over Luke Richman (Westminster Christian) 36-12, Fr. (MD 12-1)
5th Place: Wes Christie (St. James) 37-10, Sr. over Jemari Harris (Montevallo) 41-7, Jr. (Fall 3:19)
126 Pounds
3rd Place: Ryan St. john (Hayden) 70-8, Sr. over Jacob Taunton (Elmore County) 49-10, Sr. (TF-1.5 4:20 (18-2)
5th Place: Jacob Richman (Westminster Christian) 32-12, Sr. over Carlos Chavez (Dora) 45-6, Sr. (For.)
132 Pounds
3rd Place: Sebastian Oswalt (Mortimer Jordan) 49-10, Jr. over Zack Haynes (Tallassee) 37-4, Jr. (For.)
5th Place: Patrick Lawler (Arab) 77-14, 8th. over Trent Gilliam (Springville) 52-28, Fr. (Fall 1:55)
138 Pounds
3rd Place: Maney Havis (Jasper) 49-13, So. over Chase Cunningham (Fultondale) 76-13, Jr. (SV-1 3-1)
5th Place: Benjamin Sanders (Southside) 38-22, Sr. over Gabe Robbins (St. James) 41-7, Jr. (Fall 4:05)
145 Pounds
3rd Place: Chayanne Sanchez (Elmore County) 50-8, Sr. over Nathan Bahrik (Dora) 32-10, Sr. (Fall 2:51)
5th Place: Mathew Williamson (Cleburne County) 42-7, So. over Trey Gaines (St. James) 28-3, Sr. (For.)
152 Pounds
3rd Place: Jordan Kiley (Mortimer Jordan) 46-11, Sr. over Nick Miller (New Hope) 13-5, Sr. (Fall 2:23)
5th Place: Ethan Scrivner (Saint Clair County) 63-28, So. over Mason Bell (Tallassee) 57-11, So. (Dec 1-0)
160 Pounds
3rd Place: Daniel Vazquez (Moody) 64-8, Sr. over Connor Calfee (Scottsboro) 30-6, Sr. (Dec 6-4)
5th Place: Jack Burt (Montgomery Catholic) 55-7, Jr. over Spencer Jordan (Ranburne) 40-12, Jr. (Dec 4-3)
170 Pounds
3rd Place: Ethan Stevenson (Southside) 39-10, Sr. over Mark Stitt (Jasper) 56-18, Sr. (Fall 5:00)
5th Place: Cody Gilson (Tallassee) 52-9, Sr. over Mac Johnson (St. James) 39-6, Sr. (Dec 4-0)
182 Pounds
3rd Place: Kyle Hugley (Beauregard) 53-4, Sr. over Peyton Mullenix (American Christian) 29-8, Sr. (Dec 4-3)
5th Place: Ethan Bozarth (White Plains) 46-7, Jr. over Sam Atchley (Arab) 63-15, Jr. (Fall 4:36)
195 Pounds
3rd Place: Christian Smith (Ranburne) 43-6, Jr. over Rankin Allen (Montevallo) 27-6, Jr. (TF-1.5 3:17 (19-4)
5th Place: Riley Dothard (White Plains) 42-11, Sr. over Garrett Moseley (Elmore County) 52-10, Sr. (Fall 2:25)
220 Pounds
3rd Place: Sean Caleb Allison (Weaver) 69-4, Sr. over Logan Smith (Piedmont) 32-6, Sr. (Fall 3:46)
5th Place: Ben Buchanan (Ranburne) 24-8, Jr. over Brodie Vinson (Jasper) 43-13, So. (Fall 3:19)
285 Pounds
3rd Place: Bradford Womack (Scottsboro) 19-2, Sr. over Evan Cooper (Piedmont) 42-4, Sr. (Dec 4-0)
5th Place: Skylar Payne (Alexandria) 45-18, Sr. over Matt Brown (Elmore County) 35-18, So. (Fall 1:56)
CLASS 6A
106 Pounds
3rd Place: Peter Henderson (McAdory) 79-10, So. over David Miguel (Fort Payne) 35-12, So. (Dec 8-4)
5th Place: Melton Powe (Gardendale) 49-12, Fr. over Seth Mcgrew (Helena) 35-25, Fr. (Fall 4:14)
113 Pounds
3rd Place: George Vazquez (Pinson Valley) 33-3, Sr. over Gabe Sweat (Buckhorn) 37-13, So. (Dec 8-3)
5th Place: Mason Shell (Pell City) 57-14, Jr. over Alex Webb (Gardendale) 49-12, So. (Dec 10-7)
120 Pounds
3rd Place: Brody cross Earley (McAdory) 23-3, Fr. over Cote Blalock (Fort Payne) 46-10, Fr. (Fall 4:49)
5th Place: Ethan Mccord (Stanhope Elmore) 41-11, So. over Corey Jones (Shades Valley) 32-13, Jr. (For.)
126 Pounds
3rd Place: Bryce Wanagat (Pelham) 41-13, Fr. over Brady George (Gulf Shores) 43-10, Jr. (Dec 2-1)
5th Place: Donald Phillips (McAdory) 69-16, Fr. over Matthew Craig (Athens) 29-18, Sr. (Fall 1:56)
132 Pounds
3rd Place: JC Williams (Clay-Chalkville) 39-8, Sr. over Wesley Slick (Oxford) 46-10, Sr. (Dec 1-0)
5th Place: Toby Nguyen (Buckhorn) 30-16, Jr. over Seth Patrick (Hartselle) 23-25, Sr. (Dec 6-5)
138 Pounds
3rd Place: Gage Hudson (Gulf Shores) 56-6, Sr. over Kaleb Jones (Wetumpka) 60-18, Sr. (MD 12-2)
5th Place: Sebastian Berres (Mae Jemison) 24-10, Jr. over Keenan Wyatt (Gardendale) 43-13, Fr. (For.)
145 Pounds
3rd Place: Brandon Seawright (Minor) 37-3, Jr. over Micah Brasher (Gulf Shores) 35-11, Sr. (Dec 3-1)
5th Place: Ezell Wood (Park Crossing) 26-5, Jr. over Cole Blackwell (Wetumpka) 60-9, Sr. (For.)
152 Pounds
3rd Place: Russ Boackle (Gardendale) 24-11, Jr. over Michael Flynn (Mae Jemison) 36-6, Sr. (UTB 2-2)
5th Place: Ian Singer (Park Crossing) 22-7, Sr. over Levert Jefferson (Clay-Chalkville) 35-17, Jr. (Dec 9-7)
160 Pounds
3rd Place: Jackson Stocks (Pell City) 49-5, Sr. over John paul Uter (Gulf Shores) 44-9, Jr. (Dec 6-2)
5th Place: Carson Kim (Gardendale) 34-12, So. over Joseph Chimento (Pelham) 30-10, Sr. (Dec 4-0)
170 Pounds
3rd Place: Sam Ingram (Chelsea) 60-5, Sr. over Noah Bauer (Spanish Fort) 58-12, Jr. (MD 11-2)
5th Place: Theo Maxwell (Clay-Chalkville) 42-7, Sr. over F F (Opelika) 26-9, Jr. (For.)
182 Pounds
3rd Place: Jordan Hunter (Buckhorn) 26-3, Sr. over Hakeem Stanford (Chelsea) 33-12, Sr. (Fall 1:37)
5th Place: Derrick Orvik (Gardendale) 31-10, So. over Timothy Tolbert (Opelika) 47-18, Sr. (Fall 4:42)
195 Pounds
3rd Place: Octavius Adair (Oxford) 16-7, Jr. over Riley Kuhn (Fort Payne) 45-8, So. (Fall 2:57)
5th Place: Diaris Donaldson (Mae Jemison) 32-12, Sr. over Trinity Vaughns (Opelika) 53-14, Sr. (Fall 2:39)
220 Pounds
3rd Place: Adam Portillo (McAdory) 79-12, Jr. over Bevin Williams (Opelika) 55-6, Sr. (Dec 4-1)
5th Place: Damien Lawry (Benjamin Russell) 32-9, So. over Dominic Ellis (Minor) 28-13, Sr. (Fall 1:28)
285 Pounds
3rd Place: Rasheed Todd (McAdory) 68-10, Sr. over Cameron Reese (Opelika) 45-7, So. (Fall 0:33)
5th Place: Avion Woods (Hueytown) 27-7, . over Terrell Barton (Buckhorn) 34-12, Jr. (Dec 7-4)
CLASS 7A
106 Pounds
3rd Place: Yanni Vines (Thompson) 60-14, Fr. over John robert Thompson (Spain Park) 27-6, 8th. (MD 17-3)
113 Pounds
3rd Place: Zaevian Toney (Bob Jones) 29-7, Sr. over Zander Fields (Huntsville) 29-15, So. (Dec 7-2)
120 Pounds
3rd Place: Logan Reaves (Hewitt-Trussville) 30-11, Fr. over Bryant Segars (Vestavia Hills) 45-21, Jr. (Dec 5-3)
126 Pounds
3rd Place: Samuel Jaggears (Gadsden City) 43-2, Jr. over Riley Huff (Hoover) 27-8, Sr. (Dec 1-0)
132 Pounds
3rd Place: Lucas Reaves (Hewitt-Trussville) 30-19, Fr. over Tyler Tanaka (Auburn) 38-14, Jr. (Dec 3-2)
138 Pounds
3rd Place: Nathaniel Nailen (Vestavia Hills) 49-12, Sr. over Abe Alrefai (Bob Jones) 22-8, Sr. (Fall 3:00)
145 Pounds
3rd Place: Jordan Whalen (Bob Jones) 35-6, Sr. over John Townsend (Mountain Brook) 47-7, Sr. (Dec 7-0)
152 Pounds
3rd Place: Raequan Mccray (Bob Jones) 30-8, Sr. over John Edwards (Vestavia Hills) 51-22, Fr. (Fall 4:58)
160 Pounds
3rd Place: Sam Willoughby (Vestavia Hills) 40-13, Jr. over Josh Reynolds (Hoover) 42-16, Sr. (Dec 6-3)
170 Pounds
3rd Place: Cal Francovitch (Bob Jones) 27-9, Sr. over J t Foster (Hoover) 33-19, So. (Fall 3:57)
182 Pounds
3rd Place: Jack Higgins (Mountain Brook) 42-8, Jr. over Dawson Rye (Hoover) 23-14, So. (Fall 2:05)
195 Pounds
3rd Place: Rob Barrentine (Vestavia Hills) 31-8, Sr. over Harrison Hemmerly (Grissom) 27-9, Sr. (Fall 2:16)
220 Pounds
3rd Place: Kyle Watson (Smiths Station) 51-14, Fr. over Cole Batson (Huntsville) 37-8, Jr. (Dec 3-2)
285 Pounds
3rd Place: Ellis Adams (Hoover) 11-3, Sr. over Reggie Fowler (R.e.) 17-4, Jr. (MD 8-0)