by Matt Wright
Local resident and current AHS senior Reed Cannon won this year’s 120lb wrestling division for the state of Tennessee. The event was held this past weekend at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park in Franklin, TN. Reed ended his career with a 15-0 win over Collierville’s Andrew Artiles. He is the first state champion in the history of Arlington. Reed grew up in Oakwood Subdivision in Lakeland and attended Lakeland Elementary School.
Reed was coached by Head Coach Jonathan Simpson, and assistant coaches Andrew Sossaman and Thomas Schlater. He went in to the TSSAA State Individual Tournament as the number 1 seed and Region 8 Champion holding a 42-2 record this year.
Last year Reed was the runner up in the state tournament and he completed his career as a 4X state placer and 4X region champ. In fact, Reed is the first 4X state placer ever in the public school division in the Memphis area and surrounding suburbs. Lisa Cannon, Reed’s mother, said “No one has ever done that before. We’re excited for him.”
Facing a tough field, Reed wrestled his way through a 32-man bracket filled with the State’s best 120lb weight class wrestlers. To make it even harder, Reed and some teammates came down with the stomach flu just a couple of days before the tournament that severely weakened him. But as the old saying goes, “Pain is temporary, pride is forever.” Reed was able to amass an impressive record of 172-17 during his high school career.
Reed’s Future
When asked if Reed would continue his career into the college ranks, Lisa said, “He’s decided not to wrestle in college. He’s had offers but wrestling takes a lot of sacrifices… weight cuts, working out, etc. It’s been a grind and he’s ready to just be a college student. He has a scholarship to UT Knoxville but not for wrestling. He will probably club wrestle for the Vols and would love to coach youth wrestlers one day.”
… Photo courtesy of Lisa Cannon
