E.A. Sports Today

Looking for gold

Knop, Allison lead local contingent into high school nationals

By East Alabama Sports Today

History-making Alexandria freshman Christian Knop looks to add a national title to his resume and Weaver’s Caleb Allison looks to repeat as national champion as they compete in the NHSCA National High School Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach.

Knop is seeded No. 1 in the freshman 182-pound division and is among four Alexandria wrestlers at the event. He is joined by Valley Cubs teammates Lane Trapp (senior 113), Fletcher Swindall (freshman 120) and Aaron Whittaker (sophomore 132).

Knop went 56-0 this past high school season and outpointed a previously undefeated senior for the Class 1A-5A state title at 170 to become the Cubs’ first state champion in wrestling. Trapp was 33-6 and finished second in the state.

Allison is competing in the freshmen 220 division. Allison won his middle school division as an eighth-grader last year in his first tournament back from breaking his collarbone in practice the day before the Calhoun County Championships.

Cleburne County’s Tyler Mayfield also is in the event. He will wrestle in the junior 145 division. He finished second in the state at 152.

The event opens Friday.

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