|
Updated 3/20/08
Collins Hill High School has established
itself as one of Georgia's elite wrestling programs. Led by Coach Cliff Ramos,
the Eagles have finished in the top ten in Georgia's largest classification thirteen
consecutive years, including top 3 finishes each of the the last nine years and
State Titles in 2001-02, 2004-05, and 2007-08. The
Eagles have also wrestled to Region Championships nine of the past tweleve seasons.
In fourteen years of existance, the history of the
program includes an impressive array of individual achievements. Eagle wrestlers
have placed (top six) 87 times in the State Tournament, including 20 individual
State Championships, the most recent being Taylor Knapp's 2008 title in the 145-pound weight class. Knapp, a Junior, will be
vying for his 3rd title in 2009. In 2005, Tyler Parker became the first wrestler in Georgia AAAAA
history to win 4 Individual State Championships. Two former Eagle wrestlers,
Joey Guiler (class of 2000) and David Brunson (class of 2001) won 3 State Championships
during their careers. Nick Lukacs (class or 2004) finished his career with
2 State titles and three finals appearances.
The Eagles' 2007-08 season qualifies as one of the best in Georgia history. Collins
Hill was crowned both Dual Meet and Traditional State Champions and did not lose
to a Georiga team in any tournament or dual meet this past season. Third-place finishes
in prestigious out-of state tournaments in Kansas City and Virginia propelled the
Eagles to be ranked as high as #20 nationally. Additionally, Collins Hill sent nine
wrestlers to the podium at the Georiga State Traditional Tournament Championship, including 5 finalists and one State Champion.
Five varsity starters from the 2007-08 squad
will graduate including State runners-up
Nick Smith (189 lbs.) and David Coffey (285), along with
James Smithson (5th at
130), and 46-match winner Will Collins. The Eagle family will also bid farewell
to starters Cody Parker and Mike Mangrum, both of whom played key roles in the Eagles
success this past season. Eagle fixtures Karl Manning, David Carson, Luke Watkins,
Chris Pawlik, Kyle Kiem, Wynn Duncan, and Trey Walker will also be greatly missed.
Despite the losses to graduation, the 2008-09 season will feature a lineup that
includes nine State Qualifiers and
six returning placers.
Junior Taylor
Knapp picked up right where he left off in
2007 by compiling a 59-1 record enroute to his 2nd straight State Tile. Sophomore
Joel Smith followed up an outstanding Freshman campaign (4th in State) with his
first finals appearance. Gary Tiller, a Junior, also made it to the finals and wrestled
well against Josh Condon, one of Georgia's all-time greats.
Sophomore T.J. Mitchell set
the Collins Hill single season victory (60) and pin (36) records enroute to a 3rd-place finish at the Gwinnett Arena. Another sophomore, Allen Willard, had an outstanding
end to his season, finishing 4th at 119 lbs. and nearly upsetting eventual champion Brandon Westerman in the semi-finals. CJ Collins, yet another sophomore, burst onto the scene this past season with a 6th-place finish at 189 lbs. and will anchor the
Eagle's upper weights for the next two years.
Returning State qualifiers
Joseph Doyague, John Allgood and Sam Hoppenbrauwer all had excellent seasons and scored valuable team points
at the State Tournament and will be in the hunt to reach
the podium in 2009. The remaining 2008-09 lineup spots will be filled by members
of the state's top JV team. JV King of the Hill champions Bazell Partrige, Josiah
Connell, Caleb Sawchuk, Danny Wheeler, and Jamie Hertica will head a
strong group
of wrestlers who are sure to challenge for spots in the state's most hotly-contested
Varsity lineup.
Congratulations to the 2007-08 State Champions and farewell to our departing Seniors!
|