Ryan Wilson wins state title for Calhoun 02/20/07
Doug Hawley

“When you don’t succeed, try and try again.”

That adage well could suit Calhoun High senior wrestler Ryan Wilson. During his sophomore and junior seasons, he earned lofty back-to-back second place State AA finishes but still felt the emptiness of such closeness to state championships.

His frustration is no more, for Wilson captured the state 119-pound title last Saturday night at Gwinnett Center in Duluth.

“I didn’t want to leave Gwinnett with another second place,” Wilson said while reminiscing Monday afternoon amidst congratulations from teachers and students alike. “I wanted that state championship.”

His earlier runner-up division spots (following area crowns) came as a sophomore and junior at 103 and 112, respectively.

Sam Ball of Wesleyan, who opposed Wilson in the finals, certainly represented a familiar face.

“I wrestled him several times over the years,” Wilson said. “Probably five or six times over four years. It was overtime every time. I won every time.”

Again it was overtime. After a 6-6 regulation stalemate, the Yellow Jacket took the exciting one-minute overtime 2-0 to win 8-6.

“I was just really thinking of getting a takedown and winning the match,” Wilson said.

Chase Arnold, Calhoun’s first-year head coach – who assisted Dale Hales a year ago – said, “He improved a lot from his junior year. The difference to last year was the mental aspect. After getting second twice, there had to be something mental. We emphasized the mental thing early. He really was determined to win state this time.” Wilson basically agreed.

“It wasn’t really a physical part of it (going into the season),” he said. “I was ready physically. I knew that it was a mental thing. Coach Arnold, coach Hales (from a year ago) and Andrew Purser (Calhoun graduate who won state in 2005) all helped.”

Arnold cited his dedication.

“Wrestling is mentally and physically grueling,” the coach said. “He cut a pretty good bit of weight. It takes a disciplined person to keep the weight down.”

His career record was a sparkling 170-30 – including 96 pins. He went 45-6 this season.

Of Wilson’s fundamental style, Arnold offered, “He’s very aggressive. He’s very good on his feet, the neutral position. He really works hard. He’s one of those people who has gone pretty much year-round.”

That has included national qualifiers and U.S.A. tournaments in the summer. He also lifts weights several times a week.

Wilson began competitive wrestling as a seventh grader at Calhoun Middle School.

“It was coach Rigney (Eric) who got me started,” he revealed. “He just wanted me to try it.”

His best finish in the region meet was a second place as an eighth grader.

“I wasn’t even going to wrestle in high school,” Wilson said. “However, coach Hales convinced me to wrestle. I knew that he was a four-time state champion.”

How did Wilson celebrate that state crown?

“I ate a lot of pancakes at IHOP right after the match down the street from the arena,” he answered with a big smile. “I’ve already put a good bit of weight back on.”

Wilson also pins the academics in quality style with an “A” average.

His career goal is to be a fireman. He plans to major in fire science at Coosa Valley Tech.

The son of Lamar and Lynne Wilson (a teacher at Calhoun High School), Wilson attends the  Adairsville Church of God.