Jan 14, 2023

JOHNSON CITY — Science Hill had six boys reach the finals and three earn championships in their weight classes at the 23rd annual Fandetti-Richardson Brawl.

Devon Medina, one of four Science Hill seniors to reach the finals, repeated as 195-pound champion of the home wrestling meet with an exciting sudden victory over Bryce Gadson of North Carolina’s Cox Mill.

Medina gutted out the 5-3 win despite being pushed around much of the match by Gadson, an explosive grappler with speed and power. Medina said at the end, it came down to what his family and coaches preached.“He was 100% one of the toughest guys I’ve ever faced. He was so strong,” Medina said. “My dad and Coach (Jimmy) Miller always say to have more heart than the other wrestler. I was exhausted. My lungs were going out, my heart was racing and my body was on fire.”

Junior Stiles Miller, who competes at 113, and freshman Chase Smalling (120) also won individual championships. The Hilltoppers tied for second with South Carolina’s Fort Mill with 136 points. Lakeway Christian took the team title with 158.5 points.

In the 120 final, Stiles pinned Jacob Nally from Fort Mill at 3:38 of the first period.

Stiles also reached a milestone with his 100th career win earlier in the day. Like his teammates who reached the mark, Stiles will be awarded pink laces for his wrestling shoes to celebrate the achievement.

Stiles and Smalling shared the most outstanding wrestler award for the lower weights.

“We had six in the finals, won three and lost three,” Coach Miller said. “Stiles started us off at 113 and ran through the tournament pretty good. He had a tough match getting out of the pool, but we wrestled the kid from Fort Mill a month ago. He won then and won today with a good scramble.”

Smalling captured a hard-fought 13-10 decision over Cole Gumlick of Lakeway Christian in the 120 final. The freshman is 33-1 on the season and has the Science Hill coaches excited about how good he can become.

“Chase has great offense on his feet and he’s very aware of where he’s at,” Coach Miller said. “I can’t ask for nothing better from that kid. He’s going to find his way on the podium.”

Three other Science Hill wrestlers reached the finals. All three lost to Pigeon Forge grapplers. Pigeon Forge’s Wyatt Howard pinned Jamie Beck in 2:57, Herbert Little pinned Perry Tate in 3:49 and Caleb Williams scored an 11-0 major decision over Keimel Redford.

GIRLS COMPETITION

Alex Costello pinned Delaney Nichols of Gibbs to win the girls’ 120 class. Sawyer Ward reached the final at 138 where she lost a 3-0 decision to Baylor’s Paraskevi Christopolos. Kay’a Robinson was runner-up at 152, losing a pinfall to Krickett Jones from Karns.

Other local champions were West Ridge’s Angel Coger, who captured first place at 165, and Greeneville’s Jenna Baines at 107.

THE TRADITION CONTINUES

The wrestling meet continues to bring out fields of strong fields of teams and grapplers in its 23rd year. It’s also a time to celebrate the memories of fallen wrestlers Scott Fandetti, Todd Richardson and Scott Moffat.

“We lost a few teams with the weather, but we had some great matches, great finals,” Miller said. “It gets better and better. We work months to go out find the teams and who the best teams are. We just keep wrestling.”