Valentine wins first two matches to remain in hunt for title at state wrestling tournament

Six Dickson County wrestlers remain alive after the first day of the TSSAA tournament in Franklin but only Fletcher Valentine remains unblemished after two rounds. On Valentine’s Day, Valentine got a first-round pin over Jacob Loveday of Seymour then advanced to the final eight in the 182-pound division with a 4-2 decision over Tarrick Walker of Centennial. Luke Humphreys at 160, Dakota Sullivan at 220 and Macon Webster at 170 all picked up first-round wins only to be knocked into the consolation bracket with losses in the second round. Beau Badon and Hunter Smith recovered from first-round losses to win back-to-back matches in the first two consolation bracket rounds to remain in contention for a medal. Cougar Shawn Vincent, who suffered a neck injury in the region tournament, was unable to compete. The state tournament continues today at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin.