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DEL.ICIO.USPound-for-Pound: A look back at state wrestling traditional finals
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the year of the Eagles, you just knew we’d start the final blog talking about Collins Hill, didn’t you? Collins Hill’s accomplishment of 12 placers and 140-point team victory is even more impressive considering the incredible depth of Class AAAAA. The usual suspects occupied podium spots — Virginia Tech signee Taylor Knapp won his third consecutive state crown at 152 pounds; 119-pound T.J. Mitchell won his second title, and Joel Smith, one of the most gifted athletes in the state, claimed the 140-pound crown.
But Eagles wrestlers few had heard of before last weekend’s tournament placed in perhaps the most difficult classification in the state’s history.
Sophomores Nick Holbert and Mac Bennett finished fifth at 171 pounds and fourth at 189 pounds, respectively, while Thomas Delain finished sixth in a difficult heavyweight class. Safe to say, Eagles coach Cliff Ramos was surprised at Delain’s finish.
“We were very concerned about him qualifying [for the state tournament],” Ramos said.
So, is this Collins Hill team the best in state history?
“I think there’s a great argument for that,” Ramos said. “I feel like we’ve done something important for Georgia wrestling, whether you like us or not.”
Traditional State news and notes
— Hard to imagine the Gwinnett Arena being more energized and exciting during a Traditional State wrestling tournament than it was during the 215-pound title match in Class AAAAA. Like the result or not — Valdosta’s Allen Scruggs escaped with two seconds left to nip Collins Hill’s C.J. Collins — the arena was no doubt the loudest it has been in its short history of hosting the state tournament.
— Alexander freshman Chad Starnes won the 103-pound title in Class AAAA, knocking off Cass’ Mason Martin. Some would say it was an upset, but not to Cougars coach Sean Moistner.
“He didn’t come out of nowhere to us,” Moistner said. “He’s been tough all year.”
— As the state tournament concluded, six wrestlers had Division 1 scholarships and each won a state title. Here’s the list:
Joey Lazor, Union Grove. Class AAAAA 135-pound champion, committed to Northern Iowa
Taylor Knapp, Collins Hill. Class AAAAA 160-pound champion, committed to Virginia Tech
Sam Kuntz, Peachtree Ridge. Class AAAAA 189-pound champion, committed to Rutgers
Jack Roberts, Union Grove. Class AAAAA 171-pound champion, committed to Brown
Alex Hudson, Sprayberry. Class AAAA 145-pound champion, committed to Tennessee-Chattanooga
Joel Stafford, Eastside. Class AAA 125-pound champion, committed to Liberty
— Tough loss for Jefferson’s Jay Fowler, who fell in overtime to Swainsboro’s Wade Farrow and was denied state title number four. On the flip side, McEachern’s Brandon Westerman and Toombs County’s Bryan Benton each won state title No. 4.
Said Westerman: “It feels awesome. I’ve really worked for four years.”
With all the hoopla surrounding Tony Van Horn’s retirement and Jason Faklaris becoming head coach and the Indians becoming an afterthought in Class AAAAA just two years after winning a state championship, it was a nice end to the season for the Powder Springs school.
— Great moment for Bremen’s T.J. Bell, who finally won a state title after finishing as a runner-up three consecutive seasons. Bell, who helped the Blue Devils capture the Class A championship, pinned Commerce’s Doug Maloch midway through the third period for the 119-pound crown.
— Hats off to Effingham County, winners in Class AAAA. The Rebels got titles at 112 (Josh Barnhill) and 119 pounds (Kevin Ulmer) and three others placed to help clinch the school’s first state championship.
— When we’re wrong, we can admit it. During our “Fearsome 14” selections at the beginning of the year, the Pound for Pound staff picked Walton’s Jeff Olsen over Sam Kuntz of Peachtree Ridge at 189 pounds. Four months later, Kuntz, the Rutgers signee, beats Olsen 6-4 in overtime for the 189-pound title in Class AAAAA.
— When we’re right, we can gloat; sort of. Of the 28 wrestlers we picked for our Fearsome 14 first and second-teams, 18 won state titles, six finished second, two others placed and two didn’t place at all.
Final AJC Top 10 All-Class State Wrestling Rankings
- Collins Hill
- Jefferson
- Union Grove
- Camden County
- Pope
- Eastside
- Centennial
- Kennesaw Mountain
- Lafayette
- Walton
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Pound For Pound
Comments
By Wrestlingfan
March 1, 2009 12:33 PM | Link to this
great work Kurt! We all appreciate your hard work and dedication.