Uhorchuk, Smith win NHSCA wrestling national championships
At the rate Signal Mountain sophomore wrestler Joseph Uhorchuk is going he could have four TSSAA state championships along with six national championships by the end of his prep career.
As the youngest brother of the esteemed Uhorchuk wrestling family, which has produced 14 state titles, Joseph won his fourth consecutive national championship at the National High School Coaches Association Virginia Beach tournament over the weekend.
“I am so lucky to have the brothers I have. They have paved the way for me,” said Joseph, who went 7-0 over the weekend to win the 113-pound sophomore finals. “They are my role models. The way Daniel, Caleb and Ethan work, and their toughness and love for wrestling is what really pushes me to be great every day.
“Winning a national title and being able to represent my hometown and family is awesome.”
The Eagles superstar was not alone in bringing a national championship back to the Scenic City.
After becoming the first TSSAA state champion in Chattanooga Christian School history, Ryder Smith accomplished another major milestone by winning the 220-pound sophomore national finals at Virginia Beach.
“I have really worked hard for my dreams and goals this season,” said Smith, who went 42-0 for the Chargers this season. “I started wrestling for CCS when I was five. I dreamed of becoming a state champion and recently began aiming for even bigger goals on the national stage.”
Smith was able to dominate his way to a 10-1 major decision victory in Sunday’s finals over Pennsylvania’s Brody Rebuck. His road to the finals presented a tough test as Smith won his semifinal match, 9-6, and 4-3 in his quarterfinals. His other two victories in the tournament were 20-5 technical falls in the Round of 32 and 16.
Uhorchuk claimed his national title with a 1-0 victory over New Jersey’s Johnathon McGinty. His escape early in the second period provided all the scoring needed. Uhorchuk pinned his way to victory in his first three matches before landing a 10-0 win in the Round of 16 and then winning 8-4 in the second tiebreak period in the quarterfinals. He then followed with a dominant 6-0 semifinals victory.
“This weekend is a blessing,” said Uhorchuk, who is coached by Houston Clements, Sean Russell and TJ Ruschell. “None of this would be possible without my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Getting to the finals and being able to say I am from Signal Mountain, Tennessee is special. I wouldn’t choose to spend a weekend any other way than this.”
Also winning a NHSCA championship in the middle school ranks was Cleveland eighth-grader Mattox High.
Heritage High School senior Evan Wingrove finished as the runnerup in the Senior Finals at 195 pounds. The GHSA state champion defeated state champions from Ohio and Texas on his way to the finals, where he lost a 5-3 decision to twotime Utah state champion Trevyn Gates.
Other top local finishers at Virginia Beach, who became wrestling All-Americans, included: Signal Mountain’s Ethan Uhorchuk (third at junior 126); Ringgold’s Billy Hamillton (third at freshman 126), Cleveland’s Cy Fowler (fourth at junior 170), Lucas Szymborski (fifth at junior 195), Tyson Russell (seventh at junior 285), Gabe Moore (seventh at junior 220), and Soddy Daisy’s Braylan Cosper (sixth at sophomore 138).
Cleveland Lady Blue Raider Senna Grassman finished fourth at 107 pounds for an AllAmerican NHSCA finish. The Blue Raiders also had middle school standouts Rock Shurette and Dominic Cordero become All-Americans with third and fifth place finishes, respectively.
“Winning a national title and being able to represent my hometown and family is awesome.”
— JOSEPH UHORCHUCK