Nate Graham's left pink RUDIS shoe and Jay Hill's right black-and-gold WrestleBoutique shoe might not match, but they tell a story of friendship and fierce competition. At the Class A state wrestling championship, these mismatched shoes carried Graham to a title and Hill to a runner-up finish, marking the end of their high school careers with Station Camp.
Graham and Hill have been inseparable practice partners since their freshman year, and their bond was on full display at the TSSAA wrestling championships. Graham repeated as champion in the 113-pound category, while Hill finished as runner-up in the 120-pound division at the Williamson County Ag-Expo Center.
“He pushes me every day in practice,” Hill said of Graham. “Shooting on him is tough, so when I’m out here, it feels easier. He’s prepared me tremendously.”
Their tradition of swapping shoes began on a whim four years ago. Both wear the same size and decided to exchange shoes from their freshman collection. Over time, they added pink, red, and black shoes to their unique rotation.
“They’re inseparable,” said Station Camp coach Tyler Caron. “They encourage each other like brothers. It’s a relationship that will hopefully last a lifetime.”
While the shoes are symbolic, it’s their relentless practice that propelled them to the championship stage. Hill, who returned to Station Camp for his senior year after a brief stint at Spring Hill, credits Graham with helping him develop unique moves like the Jonesy tilt, a defensive play that can turn a match around.
Hill entered the 120-pound championship on a 15-match winning streak, showcasing his quick and athletic style. He pinned Jimmy Johnston in the first round and edged Sycamore’s Davyd Parker to reach the semifinals.
A decisive technical fall over Gabriel Oakley of Greeneville secured his spot in the finals, where he faced Upperman’s Jacob Stinnett. Despite a strong start, Hill fell to a last-second pin.
Graham, battling through a suspected torn left labrum, powered his way to the finals with victories over Hayden Durliat and Aiden Smith. In the 113-pound championship, he faced Luke Myhan of Soddy Daisy for the fourth time. Their previous encounters went to overtime, but this time Graham pinned Myhan in just a minute.
“I wasn’t expecting to pin him that quickly,” Graham admitted. “I just flowed with it.”
Beyond the mat, their friendship shines. Graham offered Hill advice before their matches and supported him from the sidelines.
“I love Jay,” Graham said. “He’s like a brother to me.
He worked so hard, and I wanted him to win so badly.”
Their journey, marked by mismatched shoes and shared victories, is a testament to the power of friendship and dedication in the world of high school wrestling.