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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia High School Wrestling: AJC & Coaches Top 10 Rankings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the third consecutive season, Pound for Pound will be all over the mats, bringing you the sights and sounds from tournaments all over Georgia. But for Week One we’ll keep it simple with the first AJC Top 10 and this year’s new wrinkle — the AJC Coaches Top 10.
AJC Top 10 All-Class Rankings (Last year’s final ranking in parenthesis)
1. Collins Hill (1): Defending Class AAAAA Dual and Traditional champions, the Eagles are heavy favorites to win both titles again and should continue to charge up the national ladder with visits to the Midwest Wrestling Classic in Kansas City and The Clash duals in Minnesota. There’s nationally ranked talent all over the mat with junior T.J. Mitchell (103-pound champion, 2007; third, 2008); and senior middleweight kingpin Taylor Knapp (champ at 135, 2007) leading the way.
2. Union Grove (3): Although Collins Hill is the clear favorite to repeat as Dual and Traditional champions in Class AAAAA, the Wolverines could be the No. 2 team in the state. There’s plenty of depth, led by state champion Joey Lazor (unbeaten in 2007-08 at 130 pounds) and 2007 champion Justin Crozier, who had an injury default finish to an otherwise dominant 2008. Ryan Devita, nationally ranked Jack Roberts and Wesley Mena are all capable of winning golds.
3. Jefferson (4): Moving up to Class AA shouldn’t be a problem for the Dragons, who won each of the seven Class A Duals titles and eight consecutive Traditional crowns. Three-time state champion Jay Fowler, two-timer Cam Thurmond and two other champions lead a pack of 11 returning state placers.
4. Pope (5): Tough draws and inconsistent wrestling contributed to the Greyhounds’ ninth-place finish at Traditional last season, but lightweights Patrick Anthony and Dexter Bushart return to anchor a team once again capable of finishing in the top 3 in Class AAAAA.
5. Lafayette (T-7): The defending Dual and Traditional champions in Class AA move up a classification with virtually the same group from a year ago. State runners-up Preston McCalmon and Joe Franks head a group of six returning placers that should be in great position to win both titles again.
6. Centennial (NR): Junior Brian St. James, runner-up at 112 pounds last season and a Super 32 placer last month, returns to lead the Knights. Senior Kevin Konigsberg (4th at 125) is the only other returning placer as 103-pound runner-up Kyle Salone moved to Florida and two other placers graduated off a team that finished sixth at Class AAAAA Traditional.
7: Harrison (2): The Hoyas will have to deal with a lot of change. Three-time champion Josh Condon is wrestling at Chattanooga; the Medveds-Alex (140-pound champ) and Ryan (4th at 130) are also gone, and former coach Josh Stephen is an assistant at Collins Hill. New coach Tom Fiacco will still have placers Peter and Lucas Mosher, state runner-up K.J. Bell and a host of others looking to keep the Cobb school at the top of Class AAAAA.
8. Eastside (6): The 112-pound runner-up Jamarkus Griggs was one of three placers to graduate from last year’s Class AAAA traditional champion and duals runner-up, but 2007 champion Joel Stafford (2nd last year) and state placers Trevor Bailey (2nd at 135) and Jonathan Palmer (6th at 171) return.
9. Walton (NR): State champion Jeff Olsen is back, along with 2007 champion Phil Holloway and two-time placer Nolan Legg, to try and get the Raiders back near the top of Class AAAAA (they finished seventh last season after two, top-four finishes the previous two seasons).
10. Whitewater (NR): In a wide-open Class AAAA, the Wildcats appear to be the early front-runners. Four placers return, led by 160-pound champion Chase Penland and 2007 champion Jacob Williamson.
The AJC Coaches Poll
We asked nine current and former coaches to rank their preseason top 10. Here’s the week one poll.
(First place votes)
1. Collins Hill (9) 90 points
2. Union Grove 77
3. Pope 59
4. Jefferson 57
5. Centennial 41
6. Eastside 27
7. Gilmer 22
8. Walton 21
9. Lafayette 19
10. Harrison 14
Receiving votes:
Fayette County 12; Parkview 12; Kennesaw Mountain 11; Grayson 7; Whitewater 7; Camden County 6; Kell 6; Henry County 3; Northwest Whitfield 2; Loganville 1; West Forsyth 1
TAKEDOWNS…
They said it
“Everyone has a chance this year with Jefferson being gone.”
- Bowdon coach Nathan Horsley on the seemingly wide-open Class A
Where we’ll be
Saturday, November 22 — The PFP staff opens the wrestling season at No. 6 Centennial for the Turkey Trot Duals. Joining the Knights will be Kennesaw Mountain, Henry County and Peachtree Ridge, among others.
Tuesday, November 25: PFP heads to Walton, where No. 4 Pope, Kennesaw Mountain and Whitewater will be for a quad meet.
Pin it down and rank the rankings: Let us know who YOUR Top 10 are and how they stack up against Kurt’s — and the coaches’ — picks.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Pound For Pound
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Comments
By knarkill
November 19, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Thanks Kurt, nice read.
By cnsmuck
November 19, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
great job Kurt
By cnsmuck
November 19, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Great job with Blog and the rankings. Collins Hill with all 9 first place votes, that may be the first time in history 9 wrestling coaches agreed on something.
By Josh Stephen
November 19, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Good job Kurt!!! Keep it coming!
By Roper165
November 19, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Very good read, hopefully we get more coaches reading and contributing to the poll. Are you guys going to have coverage of the Collins Hill vs. Pope dual I believe is this weekend?
By fatboyroll
November 19, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
This is good stuff Kurt. Keep it coming!!!! We love to read about wrestling.
By ECAAAShank
November 19, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Awesome! Cant wait for the next poll!!!
By granbymatman
November 19, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
This is great,thanks for the coverage. It will get interesting in the next two weeks to see how the polls change.
By Mark Moore
November 19, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
It is good to see some informed writing to go along with some opinions. Keep up the good work Kurt
By GuatPride
November 19, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Great Job!! Keep up the good work Kurt!
By David Mann
November 19, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
It’s good to see the AJC giving some well deserved publicity to Georgia High School Wrestling. I look forward to the continued coverage.
By RidgeWrestlingFan
November 19, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Much appreciated coverage, Kurt. Looking forward to more this season. Thanks!
By raider72
November 19, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
The Hill is loaded! Great to see wrestling get some pub. Is Jefferson really the third best overall?
By rassledad19
November 19, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Kurt, great job. We really appreciate the ink you give wrestling. Keep it up!
By Adrain Anderson
November 19, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Looks great. Thanks for all your hard work.
By HC Spectator
November 19, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Kurt thanks for the coverage. You did a great job last year.
By Ernie5
November 19, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
Jefferson is definetly #3 behind CH and UG.
Those boys can wrestle up there!
By chilidawg09
November 20, 2008 6:11 AM | Link to this
Great job Kurt! I for one will be anxiously looking forward to your coverage each week and will tell all my friends. Keep up the good work, thanks for the coverage and spotlight on a truly great sport!
By hammer
November 20, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Kurt, Glad to see Ajc expanding it’s coverage on a different high school sport. Wrestling fans tell your team takedown booster club so they can visit the site and spread the news.
By Rocky
November 20, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Great job Kurt. Looks like you are right on with the rankings. Should be a fun and entertaining season.
By nowyouknow
November 22, 2008 7:42 AM | Link to this
Cass High 4-A not ranked took the 2nd rank Union Grove to a two point match. Came down to the last match of the night. great wrestling.
Kurt thanks for the support for Ga wrestling.
By Thomas - WHS fan
November 24, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Woodstock deserves to be on the list because of our strong returning seniors and some juniors
By doctortruth
November 25, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Great job Kurt, keep it up.
By mce2x
November 26, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
kurt u are doing a great job love the coverage mceachern and the grove rules
By JOSEPH KOZLOSKI, JR.
January 8, 2009 3:53 AM | Link to this
I AM JOSEPH KOZLOSKI, JR. AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A LIST OF INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONS IN GEORGIA HIGH WRESTLING FOR THE YEARS 1956 AND 1957. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
JOSEPH KOZLOSKI, JR.
By JOSEPH KOZLOSKI, JR.
January 8, 2009 3:53 AM | Link to this
I AM JOSEPH KOZLOSKI, JR. AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A LIST OF INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONS IN GEORGIA HIGH WRESTLING FOR THE YEARS 1956 AND 1957. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
JOSEPH KOZLOSKI, JR.