Blackman's Landon Fowler headlines DNJ's 2018-19 all-area wrestling team
Cecil JoyceLandon Fowler capped off a brilliant wrestling career at Blackman with a second consecutive trip to the TSSAA state duals championship in the 170-pound weight division.
While he fell to Science Hill's Shane Diehl in the final in 2019, Fowler left a his mark at Blackman.
The all-area wrestler of the year went 63-4 after capturing the state title a year ago. He also helped lead Blackman to a top eight finish in the state duals competition.
Following is The Daily News Journal's 2018-19 all-area wrestling team:
First team
Tyler South
Stewarts Creek, So.
Weight: 106
Why chosen: Medaled at the state individual tournament (finishing sixth) after winning the Region 5-AAA title.
Alex Rose
Blackman, So.
Weight: 113
Why chosen: Won two championship rounds and two consolation rounds at the state tournament after winning the Region 5-AAA title.
Gabe Pennington
Eagleville, So.
Weight: 120
Why chosen: Won a championship round and consolation round match at the A-AA state individual tournament.
David Medina
Riverdale, Jr.
Weight: 126
Why chosen: Won two championship round matches and medaled at the state tournament, finishing fifth. Finished second in the region tournament.
Kalani Meckes
Stewarts Creek, Jr.
Weight: 132
Why chosen: Won a championship round and two consolation rounds at the state tournament after finishing third in Region 5-AAA.
Cameron Henderson
Smyrna, Sr.
Weight: 138
Why chosen: The defending state champ in 132 reached the state final again, falling in the championship match. Won the Region 5-AAA title.
Trevor South
Stewarts Creek, Sr.
Weight: 145
Why chosen: Won three championship round matches and medaled at state, finishing sixth. Finished first at the Region 5-AAA tournament.
Jalen Brown
Blackman, Sr.
Weight: 152
Why chosen: Medaled at state and was leading his match for third place when he sustained a hand injury, forcing him to concede. Won the Region 5-AAA title.
Anthony Gomez
Blackman, Jr.
Weight: 160
Why chosen: Won a championship round and two consolation rounds at the state tournament. Won the Region 5-AAA title.
Landon Fowler
Blackman, Sr.
Weight: 170
Why chosen: The defending 170 state champ reached the state final again, finishing as runner-up. Won the Region 5-AAA title.
Brooks Sacharczyk
Blackman, Jr.
Weight: 182
Why chosen: Earned a state berth for the third consecutive season, reaching the state championship match after winning the Region 5-AAA title.
Luis Ramirez
Riverdale, Sr.
Weight: 195
Why chosen: Won two consolation rounds at the state tourney after finishing second in Region 5-AAA.
Bowdy Boyce
Blackman, Jr.
Weight: 220
Why chosen: Medaled at the state tournament, finishing fifth, after winning the Region 5-AAA title.
Jackson Riley
Oakland, Jr.
Weight: 285
Why chosen: Won two championship rounds and one consolation round at the state tournament after winning the Region 5-AAA title.
Second team
106: Chas Stokes, Oakland, So.
113: Tyler Vanderheyden, Oakland, So.
120: Kenny Harless, Stewarts Creek, Jr.
126: Liam Elam, Blackman, Sr.
132: Austin Marlatt, Blackman, Jr.
138: Andrew Farrar, Oakland, Sr.
145: Nathaniel Gray, Oakland, So.
152: Wyatt McLemore, Eagleville, So.
160: Dejon Glaster, Oakland, Jr.
170: Jason Dennis, Eagleville, So.
182: Nolan Cook, Oakland, Sr.
195: Caleb Perkins, Oakland, Sr.
220: Kameron Bingham, Oakland, Jr.
285: Hector Feliciano-Torres, La Vergne, Sr.
Girls Wrestler of the Year
Kortney Brinkley, Siegel, Sr.
Why chosen: Medaled at the state tournament for the second consecutive season, finishing third in the 103-pound division.
Coach of the Year
Ronnie Bray, Blackman
Why chosen: Led the Blaze to a top eight finish in the Class AAA state duals and sent multiple wrestlers to the state individual tournament.