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DEL.ICIO.USPope among trio of state’s finest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wrestling writer Kurt Aschermann Jr. ranks the top wrestling teams in the state, regardless of class: Week of Feb. 4.
Pin it down and rank the rankings: Let us know who YOUR Top 10 are and how they stack up against Kurt’s picks.
Collins Hill sits alone atop the Class AAAAA charts, and Union Grove stands a small step down from the Eagles. That much was certain for much of the year, but after this past weekend’s Cobb County Invitational, it’s clear Pope has established itself as one of the three best wrestling teams in Georgia. The Greyhounds outlasted Harrison and placed 11 wrestlers in winning the Cobb County title.
No surprise, Pope’s lower weights had a strong weekend — 103 Patrick Anthony and 112 Dexter Bushart won individual titles, while three others were runners-up. Harrison had one more champion than Pope (152-pound Josh Condon joined brothers Ryan (135) and Alex (140) Medved on top of the county podium) but struggled in wrestlebacks (four losses in third-place matches) and settled for a runner-up trophy.
Walton was a perfect three-for-three in the finals as Andrew Lanham and Phil Holloway joined Jeff Olsen (dominant 171-pound titlist) atop the podium, helping the Raiders finish third. Lanham won his fourth consecutive county title with an 8-4 decision in the 130-pound final, and Holloway was dominant in three matches on his way to the 130-pound crown.
The Cobb coaches picked Condon for Outstanding Wrestler; much deserved after toying with three wrestlers on his way to the 152-pound title. But the Pound-For-Pound editors couldn’t go against Walton’s Jeff Olsen, who picked up three first-minutes pins, then clipped Walker’s Chad Pair, 3-1 in the title bout for his first county title.
Pound for Pound Top 10 (Last week’s rankings in parenthesis)
1. Collins Hill (1) — No. 31 in Amateur Wrestling News Prep 40
2. Union Grove (2) — Four champions in North Metro victory
3. Pope (6) — Cobb County champions
4. Jefferson (3) — Dragons off to Sweet Onion Classic this weekend
5. Cass (5) — Crossbone Classic champs place 12
6. Harrison (4) — Wrestlebacks hurt Hoyas in runner-up finish at Cobb
7. Lafayette (7) — Ramblers roll in Walker Cup victory
8. Eastside (8) — Picked up dual wins over Salem and Whitewater
9. Ringgold (10) — Area 7-AAAA shaping up to be a fight in two weeks
10. Gilmer (9) — Bobcats seventh at North Metro
PFP Cobb County Accolades
Lightweight Outstanding Wrestler: Brandon Westerman, McEachern. Stayed unbeaten at 49-0 with two tech falls to reach the 119-pound final, then allowed three escapes in 9-3 decision over Pope’s Russ Crowe in final.
Middleweight OW: Holloway, Walton. Defending state champ now 42-3 after two, first-minute pins and a 12-6 decision in 130-pound title.
Heavyweight OW: Olsen, Walton. Gave up two escapes all weekend.
Pin it down and rank the rankings: Let us know who YOUR Top 10 are and how they stack up against Kurt’s picks. Talk wrestling here.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Pound For Pound
Comments
By quido
February 7, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Knarkill is my hero
By tom
February 8, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Kurt was just wondering why not do classification top 10 like baseball,football,and basketball.
email @ tomeriquezzo@yahoo.com
By Kevin Hill
February 11, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Toombs Co. has two undefeated returning state champions. Bryan Benton 135lb. 57-0 and Demery Hawkins 215lb. 49-0.