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FRA Wrestlers Celebrate Successful Season in 2005-2006

The FRA wrestling team officially closed the books on a successful 2005-2006 wrestling season Sunday night with its team awards dinner.

This year's grappling Panthers finished with a 26-10 dual match record, the team's third consecutive season with 20 or more wins. The team was Region and Sectional A-AA Dual Champions for the second straight year and runner-up in the Class A-AA State Dual Championships to Notre Dame. FRA finished third behind Franklin and Ravenwood in the Region 6 State Qualifier Tournament.

With two state medalists, the Panthers finished as the highest placing Class A team (24th out of 116 competing teams) at the TSSAA Traditional State Tournament in which all classifications (AAA, AA, A) participate. This marks the fifth consecutive year that FRA has finished as the highest placing Class A team at the State Tournament and its fifth year in a row to finish in the top twenty-five teams at the State Tournament as well.

In recognition of the success of this year's team, six wrestlers were selected to the Middle Tennessee Coaches A-AA All Midstate Dream Team, the most selections from a single school. Those selected were

Each of these wrestlers received a plaque at the awards dinner recognizing their selection.

Seniors Jeremy Carter, Jessee Murphy, Clay Looney, Maxx Cua, Bert Herring and Stephen Ball all served as team captains at matches this year and were recognized for their leadership with Captain's Plaques. With a 45-10 record this season, Jesse Murphy, FRA's first five time state qualifier and first two time state medalist, became the school's winningest wrestler with an astounding 153 career wins. Right behind Murphy is fellow senior Jeremy Carter, a three time state qualifier, who finished 41-13 this season giving him an impressive 135 career wins.

Junior Austin Marcum, with a 49-9 record, 27 pins, and a Region 6 Championship at 189, was given the Most Improved Wrestler Award. The Comeback Award went to senior Bert Herring, who worked his way back from late season knee surgery to wrestle in the State Duals ( where he pinned his Notre Dame opponent) and qualify for the state tournament with a third place finish at the Region 6 tournament.

Sophomores Joe Wharton and Chase Turpin were each given the Coaches Award for their dedication and unselfishness. The self-descriptive Baby Bull Award was presented to bullish sophomore Jasper Martin.

Senior Stephen Ball, who led the team in wins (53), pins (33), and team points earned (302) was selected as this year's Outstanding Wrestler. Ball won the Overton Fall Brawl, won the Greeneville Invitational Tournament where he was named Outstanding Upper Weight Wrestler, was the Region 6 champion at 215, and capped off his season with a 5th place medal at the state tournament. His 53 wins were one short of the school single season record held by Ball's "mentor", now graduated Chris Murray, but his winning percentage of 90% ( 53-6) is a school best. In addition to Ball, Murphy and Carter, this year's senior class included two wrestlers with 30 win seasons in Clay Looney (31-19) and Maxx Cua (30-19). Bert Herring (23-8) had 20 wins and appeared well on his way to almost 40 wins at the time of his knee injury.

With 105 team dual match wins during their 5 years on the varsity (all of this year's seniors wrestled up on the varsity as 8th graders), this year's class departs with the most team dual match wins of any class so far.

Two 8th graders, Carter Looney and Hunter Schoettle, received varsity letters for pins earned in varsity competition as did sophomore Nolan Davis, who had never wrestled before joining the team in the final two weeks of the season to fill the vacant112 weight class and picking up a pin win in the Sectional Duals.

As they do every year, the seniors gave awards to the coaches, with Maxx Cua and Jesse Murphy doing the honors for Coach Marc Taylor, Jeremy Carter and Bert Herring for Coach Chuck Russell, and Clay Looney and Stephen Ball for Coach Sammy Cribb. One of the presents was a 2006 calendar with pictures of this year's senior class in various poses for each month of the year. No word of when it might be in the FRA bookstore, but rumor has it that wrestling cheerleaders from other schools have already put in orders.

Head Coach: Marc Taylor
Assistant Coach: Chuck Russell

2004-2005 Season Review