Ridgeway latest in a long line of state wrestling champions for Bob Jones

Griffin Ridgeway has his opponent in a headlock in the championship match
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)

HUNTSVILLE-  Three years is a long time between state champions for a wrestling program like Bob Jones that is accustomed to winning state titles. Saturday at the AHSAA  Wrestling Championships at the VBC Propst Arena that wait ended. Griffin Ridgeway dominated his match against Brewer Gilliland of Thompson to claim the first individual title for Bob Jones since Tyler Ratliff won the heavyweight division in 2011. Before that Anthony Bruno won back-to-back titles for the Patriots.

For Bob Jones wrestling Coach Jason Edwards the wait is over and he could not be happier.

“It feels good for sure,” Edwards said afterward. “It’s great for the program. To see him win it as a sophomore who didn’t place last year should give our other wrestlers inspiration to work harder and get after it. We’ve had kids in the finals every year. Step one you got to get kids there.

Griffin did a fantastic job. All the credit goes to Griffin. He really built his strength up this year. That was a defending state champion (that he defeated) on the state championship team (Thompson). He is one of their leaders and he is a senior. Anytime you beat a defending state champion it is a big deal. That was a big statement. Griffin deserved every bit of this championship.”

“It’s nice to see our program get the recognition we deserve,” Ridgeway said of what the championship means to him. “We have a great group of guys, one of the best coaches in the state, a great facility, and just a great support system at Bob Jones.”

Ridgeway scored a five point takedown with a roll of his opponent in the second period. He very nearly pinned Gilliland at that point. He held a commanding 12-5 lead after two rounds. He added to it with an escape in the third round and led 17-5.

With a big lead, Ridgeway “was just trying to hold on, keep him down, try and go for some moves but not get myself in trouble and get flipped over. He was a great wrestler; hard match, it was great to be able to wrestle with him and to be in this tournament.”

The dominating win took most onlookers by surprise. Talk began to circulate that Ridgeway could be named MVP of the 6A classification. He won the prestigious award after all the matches wrapped up.

This is the third year for Ridgeway to qualify for state. He placed sixth as a freshman.

Ridgeway won four matches at the AHSAA North Super Sectional to claim a top seed in the AHSAA Wrestling Championships.

Bob Jones qualified six wrestlers for the state tournament led by Ridgeway who was seeded first at 145 pounds.

Levi Hickson came in seeded fourth and reached the quarterfinals in the 182 pound classification. He finished in sixth place after dropping a decision to Logan Skinner of Mountain Brook in the consolation round. Hickson is the only senior of the six qualifiers.

Jordan Whalen came in seeded second but did not place. D’aisun Mitchell came in seeded fifth but did not place. Tyler Moulton came in seeded fourth but did not place. Collin Olivier came into the state tournament seeded second, won two matches and finished third at 132 pounds. Olivier and Ridgeway have been teammates since the seventh grade.

Griffin Ridgeway won a state championship in the 145 pound classification
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)

“It means a lot,” Olivier said of Ridgeway’s state championship. “I’m excited for him. I have seen him put in the extra work at practice so it’s good to see it pay off for him. We’re working non-stop all the time; always giving it our all. For one of us to get first is a huge deal. It’s an honor. ” Olivier lost to Robby Killough of Prattville on a pin in the second period.

Thompson won the Class 6A team title. It is fourth straight large-school state wrestling championships for Thompson as the Warriors posted 186 points to claim the 2014 AHSAA State 6A Wrestling title.  Vestavia Hills won four in row from 1998-2001 finished second with 150.5 points. Auburn and Prattville tied for third with 129.5 points each.