Nash wins region; Smith also qualifies for state wrestling tourney

Max Nash is a region champion.

The Madison County senior wrestler captured the Region 8-AAAA title in the 132-lb class this past weekend, tying the all-time school record for wins in the process.

He has a chance to break Isaac Ruiz’s previous mark of 157 career wins this weekend when he travels to the state sectionals at West Laurens.

MCHS coach Ritchie Houston said Nash has had an outstanding career as a Raider but he had never won a region title prior to this weekend.

“That was one of the things we tried to motivate him with,” said Houston. “You’ve done all these great things, but you haven’t won region yet. He was pumped and wrestled well.”

Nash, who carries a 45-3 record this season, will be accompanied at sectionals this week by Eric Smith, a Red Raider who took fourth place in the 152 lb. class.

“He showed big improvement; he wrestled really well, the best he’s wrestled all year,” said Houston of Smith.

Houston said Smith has a chance to make noise in the state sectionals if he can maintain his consistency.

Nash and Smith nearly had some Red Raider company at the sectionals, but several teammates fell just short of qualifying for state.

Senior Donnie Harper placed fifth in the 138 lb. class, while Dylan Gaddis, 113 lbs.; Dylan Haney, 145 lbs.; and Vince Hix, 220 lbs.; all finished sixth in the region in their respective classes.

“We had a few guys who were really close,” said Houston. “Some of them were wresting really well and then messed up in the last few seconds.”