Warren County continues to make a statement on the mat this season. The Pioneers surged to their best team finish ever over the weekend in the TNAAU state wrestling tournament, placing sixth in the middle school division out of 64 teams.

Six Pioneers brought back medals as Huck Damon (130 pounds) and David Franco (250 pounds) took second in their divisions, Braxton Wingate (junior 205) and Burgess Galligan (110 pounds) placed third, Dean Wingate (160 pounds) was fourth and Nathan Luviano (220 pounds) was sixth.

"I'm so proud of these young wrestlers. They are committed to getting better and have really put Warren County on the map when it comes to wrestling," said coach Ben Matheney, who noted that the high school sending seven wrestlers to state is further proof of growth in the community. "This is the best finish we've ever had as a team in the state tournament. We're really building something great in Warren County."

Overall, the Pioneers qualified 18 wrestlers for the state tournament, which included divisions for younger wrestlers (bantom , midget and junior) and girls (grades 3-8). While they weren't able to make it to the final podium, Jensen West, Jaxon Watts, Wyatt Yaco, Camdyn Odineal, Kenley Mitchell, Declan McAbee, James Watts, Hunter Holt, Zaydon Lovvorn, Isaiah Keyes, Karlee Jones and Jamila Broden all were able to win their way into the state tournament and represent the Pioneers. 

The group of Pioneers combined to grab 25 victories across all divisions and Warren County took 27th out of 84 programs represented in the state's AAU tourney.