2025 TSSAA Officials Rankings (updated 2/25)
- Ryan Simmons (MTWOA) – Every prep school in the state will be happy to see him this weekend showcasing his gift.
- Tater (CWOA)- Now you know who has been occupying the #2 spot, he is the present standard for the CWOA and the state in general.
- Travis Wright (CWOA) – The future standard for the CWOA. I predict he will one day be running things down in Chattanooga.
- Chris Coover (KWOA)- another solid ref who D2 programs will be happy to see this weekend. This might be one of the strongest officiating crews assembled for the D2 Championships.
- Bret Selph (MTWOA) – Sadly not at D2 this weekend but you have to save some of the best for the Public schools.
- Geno Baughn- (CWOA)- 3rd official on this list that will be assembling at MBA for the D2 championships.
- Mke Craft- (CWOA)- Senior ref who is likely calling his 50ish state tournament next weekend.
- Andrew Hedges (MTWOA)- He cracks the list as yet another ref who will be at D2 and someone pointed out to me that he is also going up with Coover to call the preps which merits a ranking.
- Dr. Ben Smitherman (MTWOA)- What other wrestling official in the state of TN is a doctor?
- Micahael Scott (MTWOA)- Did yall see this guy getting warmed up at the duals? Love it! He does a great job and is always in position.
Honorable Mention. Eddie Davis- Solid official. Hope this is not the last we have seen of him. Rumor has it he is hanging up his whistle after this season. Mike Arnold- (MTWOA)- Falls out of the top ten but not due to him slipping, just others outshining. Sid Mason-(UE) knocking on the door but the one thing he lacks is the decades of experience that the ones in front of him have. Ronald Campbell (KWOA) – Another ref that will be at D2 that rounds out a solid crew. Carlos Calloway (MTWOA)- hoping to see a locked in and dialed in Mr. Calloway at state in a week. If so he might climb into the top ten with a strong finish. Wes McGaffin ( MTWOA) – His growth in his calling has been great but he still needs to fully round out his calling with a little more demonstrative demeanor. Tom Herring- (CWOA)- he is another bright spot in a new wave of officials that are developing down in Chattanooga. Joe Moser- (CWOA)- I was confused at the duals, does he also officiate softball as well? Did anyone else notice his jacket? Anthony Lewis (MTWOA)- Will he be on the mat again this year for one of the most talked about finals? Only time will tell. Tom Marking- (MidSouth)- Frisbee and pinning skills.
Noteworthy others without a note – Jake Sewell, Greg Linderman, Austin Marcum, Jake Lowry, David Heffington, David McGinley, Greg Linderman, David Davenport, Jeremy Lowry, Andrew Dennison, Chad Cross, Kevin Adkins, Chris Trotter, Dylan Bryant.
2025 TSSAA Officials Rankings (updated 1/22)
- Ryan Simmons (MTWOA) – Rated “clinician”status at a recent Wilson Central dual meet. He was also spotted giving back along with most of the referees from MTWOA at their annual Grand Championships. Refreshing to see a top tier referee out on the mat for that event.
- Walt Vineyard (CWOA)- Prime time officiating of the McCallie/Cleveland match and no one is talking about the official inserting himself into the match, that is why he is one of the best.
- Mike Craft (CWOA)- The same reason Walt is ranked so high is also why Mike is up so far on the list. His accomplishments as an official are impressive.
- Travis Wright (CWOA) – one of fourteen refs selected to call two state tournaments. If there ever is a ref to call all three he would be on the short list for this task.
- Chris Coover (KWOA)- anytime someone is tapped to call the national preps they will be in the top tier on this list.
- Bret Selph (MTWOA) – Solid tournament at Johnnie Drennen, Might have had some disagreements with McCallie but they will come around.
- Geno Bagh- (CWOA)- Solid referee who doesn’t seem as if he has aged a bit. He continues to be coming into his best days of officiating.
- Eddie Davis- Solid referee that in addition to his sage like officiating when he is the lead official. He is probably the best assistant referee in the state. He simply does not take a match off in his duties as an official.
- Mike Arnold- (MTWOA)- Drops in the rankings primarily due to others have exemplary duals. He will be a solid ref at the two state tournaments he calls yet again this season.
- Dr. Ben Smitherman- (MTWOA)- Breaks into the top ten because in addition to his advanced studies he has remained a student of the sport and continues to improve as an official. Glad to see he will be at two state tournaments this year.
Honorable Mention. Ronald Campbell (KWOA) – Keeps improving out east knocking on the door of the top ten. Sid Mason- (UE)- the upper east association is one that I also rarely see but I do know this referee has spent a lot of time traveling to national tournaments and has become quite a good official. Looking forward to watching him in person for two state tournaments this year. Micahael Scott (MTWOA)- Back in the mid state after a coaching stint and a few years up north. I have tried to see him in person a few times but his matches keep getting cancelled. I will just have to wait till the state tournament(s) that he will be calling. Carlos Calloway MTWOA- Spent a bit too much time at the table at the Johnnie Drennen. Seemed in early season form as well. Wes McGaffin ( MTWOA) – a rising star in the MTWOA he surrounds himself with solid officials and because of that he has elevated his skills to their level. Tom Herring- (CWOA)- His hard work has paid off as he will be at the state tournament for his first time this year! Joe Moser- CWOA- another quiet official that most would be quite happy with in calling their match. Anthony Lewis (MTWOA)- Another ref that has to be mentioned he will be at two state tournaments and that is a notable achievement. Tom Marking- (MidSouth)- Dude can throw a frisbee a mile and drink any of these other refs under the table. Both are noteworthy abilities.
Noteworthy others without a note – Jake Sewell, Greg Linderma, Andrew Hedges, Austin Marcum, Jake Lowry, David Heffington, David McGinley, Greg Linderman, David Davenport,Jermey Lowry, Andrew Dennison, Chad Cross.
2024 TSSAA Officials Rankings (updated 12/16)
- Ryan Simmons (MTWOA) – Hawk Havoc head ref last week. Green Hill must have this guy on retainer…
- Walt Vineyard (CWOA)- Proved why he is in the top tier as he worked the inaugural TMSAA State finals Friday night then the Cleveland Duals on Saturday.
- Mike Craft (CWOA)- If only we could all be in as good of shape as Mike is at his age….
- Travis Wright (CWOA) – Finally we got to see Travis this year at a tournament. Calling the Cleveland duals is no small task. 7 rounds of high level wrestling for this veteran was a piece of cake.
- Mike Arnold (MTWOA) – Slam fest most outstanding official. (If they were to give that award) Mike’s military background makes him consistent and fair and also can cause him to crack a smile at inopportune times. Just ask Bradley Central…
- Bret Selph (MTWOA) – Fellow Hawk Havoc official from last week as well. How can two of the top 6 refs be in one location? Someone at Green Hill is living right.
- Chris Coover (KWOA)- got omitted from last rankings by accident solid ref that has consistently called multiple state tournaments on a yearly basis
- Geno Baugh (CWOA)- moves into the expanded rankings due to his consistent calling and a nod this past weekend as another TMSAA selection calling the state duals then the Cleveland dual the next day this past weekend.
- Eddie Davis- Another ref that had been thought to have retired but was spotted at Ooltewah two weeks ago. The state is lucky he did not hang his whistle up.
- Carlos Calloway- The rumors of him retiring are false. He was even spotted at a Metro match last week, which is a statistical anomaly.
Honorable Mention. Ronald Campbell (KWOA) – I don’t get out east, much so not much new to report on this front. Ben Smitherman (MTWOA) Relatively quiet 2 weeks out of Ben, which means he is doing his job. Wes McGaffin ( MTWOA) – Not only is he a solid official on the mat but has recently taken the lead with the MTWOA shoe program- he is ensuring that teams in that area have the equipment needed to succeed. Tom Herring- CWOA- former UTC wrestlers, college level coach, then coached at McCallie for years and now in his 3rd or 4th year as a referee, look for him to break into the state tournament soon. Joe Moser- CWOA- often gets overlooked due to the association he is in but calls a good match.
Others to mention but not say anything about- Jake Sewell, Andrew Hedges, Anthony Lewis, David McGinley, Greg Linderman, David Davenport, Keller Brown.
Rookie of the year watch- He’s not a rookie in the wrestling community but Nelson Shirley out of the Mid-South association has started donning the stripes in Memphis. He usually runs tournaments but after a successful couple of years in the freestyle world he is helping out in the land of Elvis and I am sure coaches in Region 8 are appreciative of that.
Update: 12/2/2024
2024 TSSAA Officials Rankings
- Ryan Simmons (MTWOA) – any high level match this man is cool as a cucumber. Look to see his talents showcased at the Johnny Drennan 85…
- Walt Vineyard (CWOA) assigner and leader of the Chattanooga referees and Cleveland utilities as well!
- Mike Craft (CWOA)– fell in the rankings just a bit due to lack of sample size this season so far.
- Mike Arnold (MTWOA) – sock pull, enough said
- Travis Wright (CWOA) – coming off appearance at the national preps also most fit official in the state. If he continues to call on the gridiron much longer he might fall out of the top 6.
- Bret Selph (MTWOA) – never met a coach he could not win over and see his call was in fact the correct one.
Honorable Mention: Geno Baugh (CWOA)- solid performance at who’s number 1 look for him to break into the top 6 really soon. Ronald Campbell (KWOA) – sure sighted and quick footed rising star in the East. Andrew Hedges (MTWOA)- ref’s quite often in middle Tn, consistent but doesn’t quite have the body of work to crack the top 6. Ben Smitherman (MTWOA) rising start out of Clarksville, needs more mat time if he is going to break into the top 6. Wes McGaffin ( MTWOA) – putting in the work and could be on the podium when the season is over. Rookie of the year watch- Keller Brown (MTWOA) great pick up for middle Tn was a two time state runner up in Georgia who is now giving back to the sport with taking up the stripes, look for him to continue to improve. If only more former wrestlers would follow in his footsteps.
Preseason Rankings:
- Mike Craft (CWOA)
- Ryan Simmons (MTWOA)
- Walt Vineyard (CWOA)
- Chris Coover (KWOA)
- Travis Wright (CWOA)
- Mike Arnold (MTWOA)
Honorable Mention: Carlos Calloway (MTWOA) Bret Selph (MTWOA) Jeff Ruffalo (CWOA) Eddie Davis (CWOA) Ronald Campbell (KWOA) Andrew Hedges (MTWOA) Ben Smitherman (MTWOA)
