Blake Thomas gets lifted up on his friends' shoulders after his state championship victory.

Chege, who wrestled in the 140-pound weight class, is Ravenwood's first state champion wrestler. His head coach, Josh Peck, is very proud of how far he has come.

“He kept his cool and stayed with the game plan,” Peck said. “Something just clicked his junior year and now this.”

Chege’s opponent was Turbo Smith of Soddy Daisy High School near Chattanooga. Chege pulled ahead in the first period 4-1 with two take downs. One more take down and an escape put Chege ahead at the end for a 7-2 final decision.

“Chege and I met two years ago and now we go to church together,” said Croy, the 215-pound weight class champion. “David is the most humble and hard-working guy and it made my tournament to see my friends win.”

Thomas set the tone for Brentwood victories in the second Division I match of the night in the 112-pound weight class. Thomas could be seen pacing in the waiting area, completely focused on his match. Thomas lost in the last few seconds of the 2009 finals and the drama was high for BHS fans in the stands.

“This was such a big win for him. This has been driving him all year,” BHS head wrestling coach Joe Blair said. “He had a shoulder injury early in the season and has worked hard to get here.”

Thomas, who had not met his opponent before, prepared by watching his previous matches. A long and lanky Jericho Crutcher of Bradley Central never was able to get a good hold on Thomas.

“Blake deserved to win,” said Croy, a fellow All-American. “He worked so hard for this and I’m really, really happy to see him win.”

Thomas went up in the first period 2-1 with a takedown and one lost point for Crutcher’s escape. Crutcher tied it 2-2 with another escape but Thomas again gained two points with a takedown. Thomas was awarded one more point in the third period, leaving the final decision 5-3.

“I was so emotional after the match not because of all the hard work and the win,” Thomas said. “It was that it was (in Williamson County) and everyone was here. My friends and family were here to support me and I could hear them cheering me on.”

Croy also heard his share of cheers and not just from BHS fans. Wrestlers and families from across Tennessee stuck around to see Croy win his third state title and 113th consecutive win.

“It’s hard to be at the end of the night,” said Croy’s mother, Camille, who patiently waited through all the weight classes.

Croy himself didn’t seem too affected by all the expectation. He stayed calm and was even helping place wrestling mats in the warm-up area.

Croy, who is headed to Harvard University to wrestle in the fall, took on Tucker Bolton from Bradley Central.  Relying on his takedown abilities, Croy was never in danger of losing the match. In the first period alone, Croy had four takedowns and allowed four escapes, leaving the score 8-4 going in to the second period.

The final score showed yet another Croy takedown, leaving the final decision 10-6.

After having had 24 hours to take it all in, Croy said he is sad to be done with high school sports.

“It’s a small world where everyone keeps in touch with each other,” he shared. “But I’m excited about college wrestling. It is exciting that I don’t know what to expect.

“The wrestlers will be a lot better and I’m starting all over again being a freshman.”

Croy finished high school in stylem being awarded the TSSAA State Wrestling Tournament Best Wrestler Division I.

Much appreciated supporters surround Thomas after his win.

David Chege gets last minute advice from RHS Head Coach Josh Peck.

Chege takes two with a takedown of his opponent Turbo Smith of Soddy Daisy.

Chege works to keep Smith under control on the mat.

All smiles, David Chege heads over to the Ravenwood High School wrestling team after his victory.

Chege gets a victory ride on the shoulders of his RHS teammates.

Photos by Dave Gilfillan