Michael Murphy has enjoyed wrestling from the moment he first tried it as a second-grader at Lookout Mountain Elementary. “I liked seeing who was the best,” he said.
Murphy now is in eighth grade and he is the best, at least in the 106-pound weight class at Baylor School. Coach Ben Nelson held open tryouts and Murphy earned his way.
“After the challenge matches, if you’re good enough, anybody has a chance to make it,” Nelson said. “I think that’s fair.”
Murphy may also be the best in his weight class in the city. He hopes to prove he’s the best in the state, at least in Division II.
Murphy is hoping to follow the path of Red Raiders teammate Zach Watson, who soon will have the opportunity to compete for his fifth individual state championship.
“Zach has helped me along the way, too,” Murphy said.
Being in the lightest weight class, Murphy primarily has gone against wrestlers close to his age. He has faced a few upperclassmen this year and has a 30-16 record on the season.
“He came to our wrestling camps first,” Nelson said. “He’s had great technique for years. He’s had to adjust his style in order to face competition at this level, which has made him wrestle smarter.”
Kelley Smiddie is a sports writer who has worked at the Times Free Press for 12 years. He covers high school sports and softball. Kelley’s hometown is Chattanooga, and he graduated from Brainerd High School and graduated Chattanooga State and UTC. Contact Kelley at 423-757-6653 or ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com.
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