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State Runner-Up Tallassee High School
(Photo by Miles Hathcock)
Wrestlers state runner-up, Big Jake wins title

By Michael Butler

Tallassee is the state runner-up. Leeds is the champ. A string of individual THS champions continues. The future looks bright for Tigers wrestling.

Leeds and Tallassee were 1-2 in the AHSAA Class 1A-5A standings at the state tournament in Huntsville, the same order the two placed at the sectional tourney one week prior.

Junior Jake Baker won the finale over Josephus Smith (3-1) at the Von Braun Center. In an epic battle of heavyweights, Baker won in sudden death. Smith was 33-0 enter the title match. Baker finished the year 40-3.

It was the younger Baker, Andy, who was in Tallassee's first title match of the day, losing a heartbreaker 1-0 to Chase Rodgers of Weaver in the 195 match. Baker is a freshman.

Wrestling is a championship tradition in the Baker household. Drew was an individual and team champion in Tallassee's banner year of 2014.

Tallassee has had an individual champion for eight continuous years. Baker's championship presentation was the 28th blue trophy in program history.

In addition to the Bakers, five more wrestlers were on the podium on Saturday, each with fourth place finishes; Zak Hayes (106), Jonovan Miller (113), Bruin Hathcock (120), Jordan Price (126) and Jeremy Noah (182). Noah was the only senior of Tallassee's 10 state qualifiers.

"Words can't describe how proud I am of this group of young men. The determination and effort was unbelievable and our boys were at their best this weekend," Tallassee head coach John Mask said. "All 10 of our guys were awesome and played a part in this state runner-up finish. To place seven guys in the top four in the state in 1A-5A is an incredible accomplishment.

"Our men have trained so hard and have represented their school, community and families with class and pride. Jake Baker keeps our streak alive of champions, and every one of our guys is a champion in my book.  I am so proud of the team."

Tallassee High School Individual Champions

1997 (4A) - Brian Freeman, Brandon Redden
2001 (4A) - Justin Harris, Eric Cagle, Brandon Rigsby
2002 (4A) - Eric Cagle, Justin Harris
2003 (4A) - Jonathan Webb
2004 (4A) - Jonathan Webb, Mack Farrow
2006 (4A) - Jonathan Haynes
2009 (5A) - Sharrod Person, John Stuckey
2010 (5A) - Chris Adams, T. C. Robinson
2011 (5A) - Chris Adams, T. C. Robinson
2012 (5A) - Josh Epperson
2013 (4A) - Josh Epperson, Jesse Rowlen
2014 (4A) - Kennon Reese, Josh Epperson, D. J. Rivers, B. J. Thomas, Drew Baker, Davontae McKenzie
2015 (5A) - Kennon Reese
2016 (5A) - Jake Baker

Tallassee State Championship Results

1A-5A 106 - Zak Haynes (46-4) placed 4th and scored 16.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 46-4 won by fall over Dylan Hutchins (Madison County) 27-15 (Fall 0:45)
    Quarterfinal - Jailen Young (J.o. Johnson) 49-9 won by decision over Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 46-4 (Dec 7-2)
    Cons. Round 2 - Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 46-4 won by major decision over Braden Ray (Oak Grove) 58-21 (MD 14-2)
    Cons. Round 3 - Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 46-4 won by decision over Reed Hill (Ohatchee) 44-17 (Dec 4-1)
    Cons. Semi - Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 46-4 won by major decision over Jackson Howard (Saint James) 39-14 (MD 16-5)
    3rd Place Match - Jailen Young (J.o. Johnson) 49-9 won by decision over Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 46-4 (Dec 7-4)

1A-5A 113 - Jonovan Miller (43-10) placed 4th and scored 17.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Jonovan Miller (Tallassee) 43-10 won by fall over Mekhi Burdette (Madison County) 30-18 (Fall 5:14)
    Quarterfinal - Will Patterson (Moody Hs) 76-8 won by major decision over Jonovan Miller (Tallassee) 43-10 (MD 18-10)
    Cons. Round 2 - Jonovan Miller (Tallassee) 43-10 won by fall over Trey Gaines (Saint James) 13-16 (Fall 2:13)
    Cons. Round 3 - Jonovan Miller (Tallassee) 43-10 won by decision over Shawn Winland (Oak Grove) 53-20 (Dec 4-1)
    Cons. Semi - Jonovan Miller (Tallassee) 43-10 won by major decision over Tristan Watson (Holtville) 41-11 (MD 13-3)
    3rd Place Match - Will Patterson (Moody Hs) 76-8 won by fall over Jonovan Miller (Tallassee) 43-10 (Fall 0:41)

1A-5A 120 - Bruin Hathcock (37-9) placed 4th and scored 18.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Bruin Hathcock (Tallassee) 37-9 won by fall over Koby Edge (Ashville) 32-18 (Fall 3:50)
    Quarterfinal - Bruin Hathcock (Tallassee) 37-9 won by fall over Nevada Wages (Shelby County) 33-17 (Fall 3:54)
    Semifinal - Timothy Murphree (Fultondale) 67-2 won by major decision over Bruin Hathcock (Tallassee) 37-9 (MD 11-2)
    Cons. Semi - Bruin Hathcock (Tallassee) 37-9 won by fall over D`shawn Skinner (Moody Hs) 60-17 (Fall 2:36)
    3rd Place Match - Fletcher Swindall (Alexandria) 54-6 won by decision over Bruin Hathcock (Tallassee) 37-9 (Dec 7-2)

1A-5A 126 - Jordan Price (42-7) placed 4th and scored 16.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Jordan Price (Tallassee) 42-7 won by fall over Jagger Bahrik (Dora) 32-29 (Fall 1:30)
    Quarterfinal - Jordan Price (Tallassee) 42-7 won by fall over Austin Rhodes (Holtville) 33-18 (Fall 3:18)
    Semifinal - Chase Phillips (Hayden) 64-3 won by decision over Jordan Price (Tallassee) 42-7 (Dec 6-2)
    Cons. Semi - Jordan Price (Tallassee) 42-7 won by decision over Brantley Mchugh (Madison County) 15-5 (Dec 2-1)
    3rd Place Match - Paul Robertson (Susan Moore) 32-5 won by forfeit over Jordan Price (Tallassee) 42-7 (For.)

1A-5A 145 - Nick Langston (18-6) place is unknown and scored 2.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Teague Berres (J.o. Johnson) 42-18 won by fall over Nick Langston (Tallassee) 18-6 (Fall 4:31)
    Cons. Round 1 - Nick Langston (Tallassee) 18-6 won by decision over Kyle Phillips (Dora) 37-19 (Dec 6-3)
    Cons. Round 2 - Nick Langston (Tallassee) 18-6 won by decision over Logan Burch (Saint Clair County) 24-7 (Dec 5-4)
    Cons. Round 3 - Dawson Anderson (Leeds) 53-6 won by fall over Nick Langston (Tallassee) 18-6 (Fall 4:42)

1A-5A 152 - Rio Reyes (32-12) place is unknown and scored 1.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Austin Foote (Madison County) 37-9 won by major decision over Rio Reyes (Tallassee) 32-12 (MD 10-2)
    Cons. Round 1 - Rio Reyes (Tallassee) 32-12 won by decision over Tate Smith (Oak Grove) 47-17 (Dec 22-18)
    Cons. Round 2 - Noah Howse (Hayden) 42-5 won by decision over Rio Reyes (Tallassee) 32-12 (Dec 11-4)

1A-5A 160 - Alex Daar (32-13) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Bragan Swindle (Mortimer Jordan) 50-15 won by major decision over Alex Daar (Tallassee) 32-13 (MD 15-5)
    Cons. Round 1 - William White (Leeds) 54-12 won by decision over Alex Daar (Tallassee) 32-13 (Dec 6-0)

1A-5A 182 - Jeremy Noah (41-12) placed 4th and scored 14.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Jeremy Noah (Tallassee) 41-12 won by decision over Chase Fields (Corner) 34-20 (Dec 7-4)
    Quarterfinal - Jeremy Noah (Tallassee) 41-12 won by fall over Chase Kelly (Moody Hs) 60-18 (Fall 3:18)
    Semifinal - Alex Nickell (Leeds) 42-3 won by fall over Jeremy Noah (Tallassee) 41-12 (Fall 3:44)
    Cons. Semi - Jeremy Noah (Tallassee) 41-12 won by decision over Brenen Gibbs (Madison County) 25-20 (Dec 6-2)
    3rd Place Match - Ethan Pippin (Westminster Christian) 31-2 won in sudden victory - 1 over Jeremy Noah (Tallassee) 41-12 (SV-1 5-1)

1A-5A 195 - Andy Baker (44-6) placed 2nd and scored 22.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Andy Baker (Tallassee) 44-6 won by fall over Richard Jones (Columbia) 22-8 (Fall 4:50)
    Quarterfinal - Andy Baker (Tallassee) 44-6 won by decision over Bryan Tutton (Saint Clair County) 50-12 (Dec 3-0)
    Semifinal - Andy Baker (Tallassee) 44-6 won by fall over Richard Williamson (Saint James) 48-3 (Fall 1:41)
    1st Place Match - Chase Rodgers (Weaver) 64-5 won by decision over Andy Baker (Tallassee) 44-6 (Dec 1-0)

1A-5A 285 - Jake Baker (40-3) placed 1st and scored 24.00 team points.
    Champ. Round 1 - Jake Baker (Tallassee) 40-3 won by decision over Reed Murphy (Corner) 38-13 (Dec 6-0)
    Quarterfinal - Jake Baker (Tallassee) 40-3 won by decision over Zach Turner (Oak Grove) 73-4 (Dec 6-2)
    Semifinal - Jake Baker (Tallassee) 40-3 won by fall over Zabian Smith (Lincoln) 40-8 (Fall 5:56)
    1st Place Match - Jake Baker (Tallassee) 40-3 won in sudden victory - 1 over Josephus Smith (Leeds) 33-1 (SV-1 3-1)

Class 1A-5A Team Scoring

Leeds 170; Tallassee 130; Weaver 105; Madison County 104; Deshler 98; Mortimer Jordan 82; Alexandria 76; JO Johnson 70.5; Moody 69; Oak Grove 63; Saint James 57.5; Hayden 54.5; Fultondale 54; Westminster Christian 50; Dora 46; St. Clair County 45; Cleburne County 41; Holtville 38.5; Piedmont 32; Saks 31; Montgomery Catholic 30; Susan Moore 29; Ohatchee 27.5; Beauregard 23; Montevallo 23; New Hope 22; Walter Wellborn 22; Alabama School/Blind 18; Lincoln 16; JB Pennington 15; Carver-Birmingham 14; American Christian 12; Corner 9; Helena 9; Columbia 8; Ranburne 6; East Limestone 4; Elmore County 4; Sumiton Christian 4; Ashville 3; Shelby County 3; Prattville Christian 1.

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