As of March 13, 2008 - The 2007-2008 Varsity Lions have broken another school record – most wrestlers named to the prestigious All-County Team. Congratulations to the following wrestlers for receiving All-County honors:
First Team All County:
Andrew Sartain
Kendall Albert
Second Team All County:
Matt Chapman
Sam Kuntz
Honorable Mention:
Chris Carter
Alan Gigolaev
Scholar Athlete:
Chris Carter
"FIVE FOR FIVE"...As of Feb. 23, 2008 - The unprecedented seven State Tournament qualifiers, Sartain, Bloodworth, Albert, Carter, Gigolaev, Chapman and Kuntz put together combined efforts that garnered 110 points at the 2008 State Championship Tournament. Coach Sinnott set a goal upon taking the helm of this program. That goal was to become a top ten 5A team. The amazing PRHS FIFTH season wrestlers have already hit that mark, finishing 8th out of 63 teams, 3 points out of 7th place. These wrestlers and coaches have gained a lot of respect from the rest of the state. As a result, Peachtree Ridge Wrestling’s impact and reputation has grown enormously and will most certainly become even greater for years to come. SO before moving on to what promises to be a very exciting and successful "Season Six", we are pleased to proudly honor and congratulate...FIVE (for season five)...
...PRHS 2008 STATE TOURNAMENT PLACERS
* STATE CHAMPION - ANDREW SARTAIN (112)
** STATE RUNNER UP - MATT CHAPMAN (160)
** STATE RNNER UP - SAM KUNTZ (189)
*** THIRD PLACE - KENDALL ALBERT (140)
***** FIFTH PLACE - ALAN GIGOLAEV (152)
ANDREW SARTAIN: 1st place - State Champion (112 lbs). Andrew took opponent Brian St. James (Centennial) down early in the first period and continued to ride him for the next 5 minutes. In between Andrew used a “washing machine” move to put St. James on his back erupting the Peachtree Ridge fans into thunderous cheers. Leading 5-0 going into the third period, Andrew - secure of a victory - gave up a last second reversal. Andrew won the state title by a score of 5-2!
MATT CHAPMAN: 2nd Place – State Runner up (160 lbs.) Matt hung closely with Bradley Banks (Union Grove), but was unable to overcome a strained shoulder. He fought hard, showing great determination and tenacity, but eventually ran out of injury time and had to default. We’ll undoubtedly see great things out of Matt next year.
SAM KUNTZ: 2nd Place – State Runner up (189 lbs.) Sam faced a tough opponent in undefeated Jordan Dukes of Hiram who has only given up 4 offensive points this season. Sam was not intimidated in the least by Dukes and gave it all he had. Sam was very close to turning Dukes at one point, but Dukes was able to counter it and ended up pinning Sam. It was a great fought battle and Sam never backed off showing great courage and strength. Sam will only get better and we can’t wait to be there as he shoots for a title next season.
KENDALL ALBERT: 3rd Place (140 lbs) After several weeks battling injury and illness, Kendall showed us all what true champions are made of. Despite a loss on Friday in the quarterfinals to Gerrard Spice (Kell) during which he aggravated his shoulder, Kendall came back with a vengeance. Crossing over into a tough consolation bracket composed of some of the best 140s in the state; he proceeded to dominate a slew of excellent wrestlers who were absolutely determined to stand in the way of his quest for that podium. On Saturday 2/22, Kendall's true grit performances were enough to beat the likes of John Matyac (Brookwood), Sam Hoppenbrower (Collins Hill), Michael Vasquez (Forsyth Central). He then went on to beat Spice in the rematch that earned him the 3rd place medal. Kendall’s examplary hard work along with his constant willingness to help teammates undoubtedly played a key role in the successes of all seven of our state qualifiers this year.
ALAN GIGOLAEV: 5th Place (152 lbs) What else can we say about Alan? He has the whole wrestling community talking. Coming in as a last minute alternate, Alan is now a state placer after beating three of Georgia’s elite: Bobby Dukes (Hiram) #3 in the state by pin; Blake Rainey (Murray Co.) #6 by pin; and Marc Rioux (Centennial) #5 by major. Alan pinned three opponents in the tournament and quickly became a crowd favorite. We simply couldn’t be more proud of Alan's accomplishments and his "never give-up" attitude. Certainly, the whole state wresting community will be watching “The Ridge Russian” next season as he shoots for the top.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COACHES AND WRESTLERS WHO WORKED SO HARD AND MADE US SO PROUD!
On Feb. 16th - PRHS qualified- SEVEN- 2008 STATE Title Contenders. They are: Andrew Sartain (2nd place-112); Josh Bloodworth (3rd place-125); Kendall Albert (2nd place-140); Chris Carter (4th place-145); Alan Gigolaev(4th place-152); Matt Chapman (2nd place-160); and Sam Kuntz (Region Champion-189). Congrats to all our Varsity wrestlers for a job well done and a great season so far. You've made us EXTEREMELY proud! NOW ONTO THE ARENA. *** GO LIONS!!! ***
The Varsity Lions competed at the Riverwood Invitational Saturday, February 9th. Undefeated wrestlers for the day were Andrew Sartain (112), Alan Gigolaev (152) and Matt Chapman (160).
Winning PRHS Varsity wrestlers against Hiram on Wednesday, February 6th, were Andrew Sartain (125) pin; Kendall Albert (145) pin; Matt Chapman (160) tech; David Whitfield (171) and Shaun Scruggs (285) pin.
Wrestlers winning against Parkview and Northview on
Wednesday January 30th, were Andrew Sartain, Chris Carter, Tyler Gregg, Matt Chapman and Sam Kuntz.
The Varsity Lions took 3rd place at The Last Man Standing Tournament at Eagle's Landing on Saturday January 26th with 5 placers including two tournament champs: 1st place - Andrew Sartain and Matt Chapman; 3rd place - Alan Gigolaev and Sam Kuntz; and 4th place - Geoffrey Stratton. Congrats to everyone!
Wrestlers winning against North Gwinnett on Wednesday, January 23rd were Andrew Sartain, Chris Carter and Sam Kuntz.
Chattahooche Invitational - "4" the record... Four PRHS Varsity Wrestlers climbed up and stood proudly upon the Chattahoochee Invitational's #1 podium spot Saturday, January 5th. The team's performance established a new school record for the highest number of Champions within one tournament. Congratulations to Andrew Sartain (112) - Fall; 1:48 over Jones of Parkview, Kendall Albert (140) - Maj. Dec. over. Bridges of Cherokee, Matt Chapman (160) - Maj. Dec. over Crosby of Jefferson, and Sam Kuntz, (189) - Dec. over Byerly of Chattahoochee. What's more? Every Lion that went to a championship match, won that championship match. These wins, combined with the solid performances of a number of other PR Varsity wrestlers to earn PRHS it's impressive 7th place overall finish out of the 18 strong competing teams. For full team and individual results see...
GWINNETT COUNTY TOURNAMENT:
The PRHS Varsity team finished 5th overall of the 18 teams in the Gwinnett County Tournament with 134 points. The strong PRHS Varsity showing was powered by County Placers: Kendall Albert -Champion (140), Andrew Sartain -Champion (112), Matt Chapman -Runner Up (160), Sam Kuntz -3rd (189), Alan Gigolaev -5th (152), Chris Carter (145) and Shawn Scruggs (215), 6th.
The team finished overall in 12th place (of 24 teams) with a total of 98 points at the 2007 McCALLIE INVITATIONAL. Tournament top placers were: 140 - Kendall Albert (Undefeated) - Champion by decision vs. No. 2 Mikey Fuller (Soddy Daisy), 9-5. 160-Matt Chapman (5-1), 3rd Place by decision vs. Ryne Miller (Father Ryan), 7-1. 189- Sam Kuntz (5-1), 3rd Place by decision vs. Sean Gaffney (Hillcrest), 1-0.
Varsity match winners at COLLINS HILL were Andrew Sartain and Matt Chapman.
LIONS DUALS: Dec. 7th & 8th - Undefeated wrestlers: Andrew Sartain 7-0 with 5 pins and 1 tech; Kendall Albert 7-0 with 3 pins and 1 tech and Sam Kuntz 7-0 with 4 pins. Honorable mention Matt Chapman, 6-1 with 4 pins. Andrew Sartain acheived his 100th career pin on Friday and was also named Tournament Outstanding Wrestler for Lightweights. Congratulations to all our varsity wrestlers. Everybody wrestled tough - - every match.
Undefeated wrestlers at the WHITE COUNTY TRI-MEET were Andrew Sartain (119 lbs), Josh Bloodworth (130 lbs), Kendall Albert (140 lbs), Chris Carter (152 lbs), Matt Chapman (171 lbs), and Sam Kuntz (189 lbs) Undefeated wrestlers at the HOYA DUALS were Andrew Sartain (119) 4-0, Mike Chapman (130 pounds) 1-0, Kendall Albert (145 pounds) 4-0, Matt Chapman (171 pounds) 2-0, David Whitfield (171 pounds) 2-0, and Sam Kuntz (189 pounds) 4-0. Other notable performances: Josh Bloodworth (130 pounds) 2-1, Tyler Gregg (140 pounds) 3-1 and Shawn Scruggs (215 pounds) 3-1.
2007-2008: SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES:
THANKS FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE
Many thanks and kudos to all of the JV wrestlers, wrestlerettes and parent volunteers who helped make the Lions Duals Tournament weekend such a great success this year! The event was really a showcase of the great teamwork of everyone involved. .The following well-deserved testimonial was posted 12/9 on the varsity wrestling vent: "Very well run tournament. 6 mats with plenty of coaches working the event. Solid table workers. The event ran smooth and on time. Hospitality room had top notch food. The competition was excellent...We were able to get all our kids some valuable mat time against well coached teams." Thanks again to everyone who had a part in this for your hard work and dedication. Well done folks!
FOR "FEEDING THE LIONS", the PRHS Wrestling Program would like to thank several community buinsesses. All of the really great food served in the hospitality room at the 2007 PRHS Lions Duals, December 7th and 8th was donated by the following local businesses. Our season-long and most sincere gratitude for this very generous, not to mention, ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS support goes out to the following community-based restaurant and food-based establishments. In addition, the team would like to express extra appreciation to PANERA BREAD COMPANY for providing free bagels and other nutritous snacks to our wrestlers during a number of other meets and tournaments...
THANK YOU...
THANKS FOR OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT
ALAN GIGOLAEV
The JV Lions took 4th place at the King of the Hill Tournament on Saturday., February 9th. This very challenging tournament is considered to be the Junior Varsity State Championship. We had several placers including two tournament champions: 1st place - Nick Brownlow (145); 1st place - Zack Brownlow (189); 2nd place - Tyler Gregg (152); 3rd place - Jonathan Rodriguez; 6th place - Raymond Burgos (95); 6th place - Chad Sartain (140); 6th place Aslan Gigolaev (160); and 6th place J.J. Harry (171). Congratulations to all our JV wrestlers for a great season! We are so proud of you and your progress. You are our future and it is evident that it will be a bright one.
JV Wrestlers who won against Hiram on Wednesday February 6th were Drew Harrison (119), Jonathan Rodriguez (125), James Yun (130), Bradley Heugh (135), Aslan Gigolaev (152), Alan Gigolaev (160), and Jordan McDaniel (171).
Wrestlers who were 2-0 against Parkview and Northview on
Wednesday were Bradley Heugh, Nick Brownlow, Aslan Gigolaev, Jordan McDaniel, J.J. Harry and Zach Brownlow
The JV had several placers at The Freshmen County Championships at Dacula on Saturday, January 26th. 1st place – Zack Brownlow (4-0 with 4 pins); 2nd place – Chad Sartain (3-1 with 3 pins); 3rd place – Patrick Carter (4-1 with 4 pins); and 3rd place - Drew Harrison (4-1 with 4 pins). Derek Cox (2-2 with 1 pin) and Bradley Heugh (2-2 with 2 pins) also had great showings. Congratulations, guys! You made us proud!
Five wrestlers went 2 and 0 against North Gwinnett on Wednesday January 23rd. Congratulations Tyler Gregg, Chad Sartain, Wade Greer, Zack Brownlow, and James Yun.
The Freshman JV wrestlers competed against Parkview and Collins Hill freshmen at Collins Hill High School on Wednesday 1/16. The young Lions wrestled well and gained great experience. Wrestlers winning both matches were Drew Harrison and Zack Brownlow. Patrick Carter, Bradley Heugh and Chad Sartain were 1-1 for the night. Way to go guys! Next up: FRESHMEN COUNTY.
The PRHS Junior Varsity team placed Fifth at The Chattahoochee Duals at Chattahoochee High School on Saturday 1/5/08. Exceptional performances came from Jonathan Rodriguez 3-1; Chad Cox 3-1; Nick Brownlow 4-0; Jordan McDaniel 5-0 (all pins!); and Will Parrish - first career victory. Great job by everyone!
The PRHS JV finished 3RD overall at the Gwinnett County JV Championships! The top placers were: 1st - County Champions; Aslan Gigolaev (152) and Nick Browlow(160). 3rd - Derek Cox (103), Caleb Orr (135), Tyler Gregg (145), and Jordan McDaniel (189). 4th - JJ Harry (171). 6th - Chad Sartain (140) (after forfeiting matches due to injury) Congratulations to these wrestlers for a great showing.
COLLINS HILL - JV match winners - Levi Carter and Drew Harrison.
UP THE CREEK TOURNAMENT: Exceptional JV performances: Drew Barron 4-2 (1 match away from placing); Jonathan Rodriguez 3-2 (1 match away from placing); Wade Greer 3-1, and Caleb Orr 2-0. Special recognition to two freshman wrestlers, Drew Harrison 4-2 and Bradley Heugh 3-2.
BULLDOG JV OPEN - Saturday Dec 1. - 8 tournament placers: Drew Barron (130 lbs)1st place 5-0 with 5 pins; James Yun (135 lbs) 4th place 5-1 with 3 pins; Caleb Orr (140 lbs) 1st place 4-0 with 4 pins; Patrick Carter (140 lbs) 2nd place 3-1 with 3 pins; Chad Sartain (140 lbs) 3rd place 4-1 with 3 pins; Nick Brownlow (152 lbs) 1st place 5-0 with 3 pins; JJ Harry (171 lbs) 3rd place 4-1 with 2 pins; and Zach Brownlow (189 lbs)1st place 5-0 with 3 pins.
~*~*~*~*~
After a season of weekly accolades for the outstanding varsity and junior varsity wrestlers, The PRHS Wrestling Family would like to recognize our OUTSTANDING Peachtree Ridge Coaches. What they have accomplished during merely the school's fifth season is truly remarkable. Top 8 team in 5A, A state champion, 3 State Championship finalists, 5 state placers, 7 state qualifiers, 2 First Team All-County, 2 Second Team All-County, 2 All-County Honorable Mention, 4th place finish at JV King of The Hill. These coaches have sacrificed countless hours of their personal time, providing training opportunities during the long, hot dog-days of summer as well as holding in-season extra conditioning and tactical sessions at 5:30am on numerous frigid, dark, and nasty winter mornings! Your responsibilities and efforts have been enormous, TIRELESS and seemingly, endless. On behalf of all of the wrestlers and their families... "we salute our coaches" ... Danny Sinnott, Matt Oberstein, Joseph Bernstein, Sean Page, John Clendenen, Jason Blaylock, and Shannon Felix. THANK YOU!
OUR OUTSTANDING COACHES
THANKS FOR ALL SEASON-LONG SUPPORT
A huge 'THANK YOU' must go out to the entire Ridge Wrestling Family. What great turn-out we had for the State Championship Finals on Saturday night February 23rd. With So MANY of you there cheering, chanting and supporting the PRHS title contenders. It meant the world to the wrestlers and coaches to see you there. Thanks to many of you for your 3 gruleling, long, not to mention expensive days of heart-felt and dignified demonstration of school spirit and support for the individual wrestlers. We have high hopes that our younger wrestlers, having now experienced “the big dance”, will work hard and strive to be on that podium. This is a program on the rise and the support you have shown, both at the Arena and all season long can certainly not be an underestimated contribution to that fact.
2007-08 PRHS PRESS COVERAGE LINKS...
Gwinnett Daily Post feature article on Lions Wrestler Andrew Sartain
Gwinnett Daily Post article "Lions' Gigolaev Making The Most of First Trip To State
Article on the State Finals including quotes from Coach Sinnott
Link to view a webcast of the State Finals at Gwinnett Arena. For Andrew’s match, drag the bar to 1:13:00. For Matt’s match drag the bar to 2:21:23. Note: All 3 PRHS finalists appear in the introductions at the beginnning between 10:00:00 and 40:00:00
.
PRHS 2007-2008 SEASON RESULTS
PRHS is a Top Ten team as of the 2008 Traditional State Tournament. PRHS finished the season in 8th place with 110 points amassed by our 7 State Qualifiers, 5 State Placers, 3 State Finalists, 2 State Runner Ups and STATE CHAMPION, Andrew Sartain. All available digital pictures from the State Tournament and other events during the 2007-08 season are available for viewing, printing or downloading from the 2007-08 Photo Gallery page.
