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Thursday, December 13, 2007
Union Grove moves up, Hoyas drop
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wrestling writer Kurt Aschermann Jr. ranks the top wrestling teams in the state, regardless of class: Week of Dec. 10.
Pin it down and rank the rankings: Let us know who YOUR Top 10 are and how they stack up against Kurt’s picks.
The list of accolades continues to grow for Harrison senior Josh Condon. At the Walsh Ironman in Ohio, Condon eclipsed the 160-pound field, winning a 7-3 decision over Alex Munoz of Bishop Lynch (TX) in the final. It was Condon’s third consecutive win over Munoz after beating the Texas senior in each of the last two Super 32 tournaments. In the semifinals, Condon (20-0 in 2007) won a 6-1 decision over No. 1 seed Eric Cubberly of Pemberville Eastwood (OH), Wrestling USA Magazine’s No. 4 ranked 160-pounder. Cubberly could only manage a single escape point and Condon “just dominated,” according to Harrison head coach Josh Stephen.
“He was incredible; he wrestled outside himself,” Stephen said.
Harrison, which slipped to No. 3 in this week’s Pound for Pound Top 10, placed 22nd at the Ironman, getting solid performances from Ryan and Alex Medved, who were both one match from placing. Ryan (135 pounds) fell to Brecksville-Broadview Heights (OH) junior Kyle Lang in an early-second period pin and Alex (140) lost a 1-0 decision to Chris Burns of Troy Christian (OH).
It was a good weekend for the other two teams in the PFP Top 3. New No. 1 Union Grove dominated the field at the South Metro Invitational, sending eight to the finals and winning five individual crowns. Titlists Justin Crozier (125); Joey Lazor (130); Jacob Vinson (140); Tyler Floyd (145) and Bradley Banks (160) all won individual titles.
“We wanted to try and send a statement,” said Dinino. “We’ve still got some work to do (but) overall we had a good tournament.”
Tuesday, the Wolverines handed Eastside its first loss, 48-24.
No. 2 Collins Hill followed a 35-21 dual meet win over Baylor (TN) with a sweep of five matches at the Cleveland (TN) Duals. The Eagles have five unbeaten wrestlers, led by Taylor Knapp (14-0 at 145 and 152 pounds); T.J. Mitchell (14-0 at 119); Nick Smith (14-0 at 171); David Coffey (12-0 at 285); and Will Collins (10-0 at 215).
Rounding out the top 10
Nothing new at Jefferson where the No. 4 Dragons have competed in two tournaments — the Lumpkin County Duals and the Jackson County Invitational — and won both. Jefferson also tripped up Woodward Academy and Flowery Branch in dual No. 5 Eastside is 15-1, claiming a 39-35 victory in its first meeting with Stockbridge to aid in a strong start. The Eagles also own wins over Cass and Hardaway and finished second to Union Grove at South Metro before Tuesday’s loss to the Wolverines in a dual meet.
Stockbridge slipped to No. 6 with the loss to Eastside but finished sixth at South Metro despite missing three wrestlers, including 2006 state runner-up Nathan Allen.
Lafayette, an omission in the pre-season poll, checks in at No. 7. The defending Class AA traditional champions are 9-1 in duals, collecting wins over Class AAAAA teams Kennesaw Mountain, Kell and Peachtree Ridge and Class AAAA’s Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. Lafayette also won the Carpet Classic at Dalton High School.
Another team missing from the preseason rankings, No. 8 Pope, actually won eight of 14 matches in a dual with No. 3 Harrison but the Greyhounds came up with just one pin and lost a 30-28 decision. Coach Jim Haskin’s bunch also fell to No. 2 Collins Hill but holds wins over Walton, McEachern, Valdosta and Cass. No. 9 Gilmer is 12-2 and led by David Snider (Outstanding Wrestler at Jackson Invitational and Peachtree Ridge Duals), who helped his father, Sam, pick up dual meet win No. 200.
Centennial makes its debut in the poll at No. 10 after an 13-0 start. The Knights have picked up wins over defending Class AAAAA champion McEachern, Walton, Grayson and Murray County.
Coming Up: Tiger Invitational — Friday and Saturday
Stockbridge hosts its annual Tiger Invitational and like in years past, plenty of top teams will compete. The defending Class AAAA champion Tigers, Eastside, Cass, Dublin, Henry County, Union Grove and South Carolina champion Ft. Dorchester High School highlight a 36-team field.
Pin it down and rank the rankings: Let us know who YOUR Top 10 are and how they stack up against Kurt’s picks.
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