MADISON- When high expectations are levied on an athlete extreme amounts of anxiety can spell havoc on any level of athletic talent. James Clemens wrestler Sebastian Davis is aware of his pre-season No. 1 ranking and the pressure that goes along with the honor and he’s steadfast about holding up to the ranking as the 2019-2020 high school wrestling season gets underway.

“I was actually a little shocked about the ranking, but it really makes sense as I’m the highest ranked wrestler returning this season,” said Davis.

Davis finished among the top six in the 138-pound division at the state meet last season, but due to normal growth during the off-season he’s competing in either the 145 or 152-pound division. The sophomore sensation is a team leader and is being groomed to be a state qualifier this season and an inspiration to others on the Jets’ team.

“As a sophomore, he is providing valuable leadership for the team and in addition he is a standout student as he’s currently taking advanced AP classes this semester,” said Kevin Pecor head coach of James Clemens. “I love having Sebastian on the team. He’s the most focused underclassmen I have ever coached.”

A world traveler due his family making home base at locations from Germany to Virginia before making a stop in Madison while he was in fourth grade, Davis began the sport of wrestling in the first grade at the suggestion of his father. His older brother, Spencer, took up the sport a year later and also wrestled for James Clemens where he twice finished fourth in the state. Davis and his brother helped one another through training for their seasons and that competition between them assisted both to success.

“After I started the sport I was hooked as wrestling is a different type of sport- it’s an individual sport and teaches me a lot about life,” said Davis. “I’m very independent and don’t like to depend on others. In wrestling it’s you winning or losing. Wrestling has taught me to face adversity and to get through anything that comes my way.”

As a freshman, Davis posted a 24-14 record and faced some of the top competition in the South. Winning has come a way of life for him participating for the Tennessee Valley Wrestling Club where he won state championships four consecutive years including a middle school division title in the State of Tennessee. Davis indicated his youth wrestling coaches Ken Clark and Todd Wheeler were big parts of his sport upbringing and “I wouldn’t be here without them,” added Davis.

He’s currently 5-2 on the current season including a 4-1 mark in a recent high-level competition in nearby Chattanooga, Tenn.

“My goal of course is to qualify for state like I did last year, but this time to win that state title and leave a legacy for our program,” said Davis, son of Ken and Bobbi Davis. “I believe I’m very quick on the mat and much stronger than I look. I am very aggressive and I shoot for the legs for a possible takedown.”

Once a soccer player and member of his church and school choirs, Davis is a member of several school organizations, including SGA, and loves showing off his culinary skills in his family’s kitchen. He entertains all waves which may come ashore his escapades in wrestling and is looking forward to facing the competition that awaits him in this, a high expectation sophomore season.