Three Lakeland students placed in the Tennessee Amateur Athletic Union (TNAAU) Wrestling State Championship Saturday (2.24.18) in Franklin, TN. The students compete through the Arlington Wrestling Club (AWC) which is a feeder Club to the wrestling program at Arlington High School.
Cameron Cavins, 8th grade at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) placed second out of the top 16 105-pound middle school wrestlers in Tennessee. He is the son of Jeff and Britteny Angotti. Mrs. Angotti said her son also won 1st at the City Championship and 2nd at Regionals. He goes to Iowa March 28 for Nationals.
Tramayne “TJ” Jenkins placed second out of the top 16 75-pound midget division wrestlers in the same tournament. TJ is a 4th grader at LES (Lakeland Elementary School) and is the son of Tramayne and Mimi Jenkins. This is TJ’s second year wrestling, according to his father.
Chase Buckalew placed second in the state in the 75-pound Bantam division. Chase is a 2nd grader at LES and is the son of Brian and Angie Buckalew. This is Chase’s first wrestling season.
Arlington Wrestling Club Head Coach Chris Nettleton said the club had 17 Bobcats compete in the TNAAU State Tournament. He states that the team delivered its strongest performance at a state tournament with 8 state medalists to include 1 state champion, 4 finalists and a 12th place overall team finish.
“We are proud of our teammates from the Lakeland area and encourage parents and kids to consider wrestling as sport. AWC is the feeder program for the Arlington High School wrestling team. We practice at Arlington High School and compete in both USAW and AAU events in TN and neighboring states. AWC was established in the fall of 2008 and is the local wrestling club for Pre-k through 8th grade in Arlington, Lakeland and surrounding areas.”
Aidan Bowers, an 8th grader at LMPS, placed first in the 130-pound middle school category. He is the son of Ben and Michelle Bowers and is a member of the Wave Wrestling Club at Christian Brothers High School. Mr. Bowers is wrestling coach at CBHS.
… Photos courtesy of Tramayne Jenkins and Brittney Angotti.
