The King's Ridge Wrestling team has made tremendous strides this year and hit key milestones for the young, yet growing team. As they prepare for Areas on February 3rd and the continuation of their postseason, let's celebrate some of their accomplishments.

The King's Ridge Varsity Wrestling team’s successful end to last season attracted the attention of other schools and coaches. The team welcomed Coach Platzke at the beginning of the season, and he has been a great fit in growing the program. With the new addition, Coach Chau, Wilkes, and Platzke led the team through the team’s first home meet, which highlighted a glimpse into the future of the wrestling program.

The Junior Tigers program has also made tremendous strides this season. Last year the program consisted of 20 elementary/middle school wrestlers. This season the program consists of over 80 elementary and middle school students being coached by Coach Chau and Coach Morris. Rising high school wrestlers get their first chance to compete at their home turf on January 27th for the Kings Ridge Wrestling Invitational. The invitational also marks the GAPPS state championship for competing teams.

Coach Chau described the team's performance this season as “night and day” due to the team being “pushed in more challenging dual meets and tournaments than any season before”. Chau also attributed the success of the program to the chemistry of the team stating, “there is a team component when it comes to accruing team points... having difficult practices and difficult losses brings the team closer together. It may be an individual sport, but nobody wins by being individual; it requires a partner.”

One wrestler, Shaw Branch, is spotlighted as having an impressive shot at performing well in the upcoming postseason after acquiring a 12-consecutive win streak. Walker Harris, who has the second most wins on the team at 16, also looks like a tough contender coming into the postseason. His recent match with a former state placer gave other teams a glimpse at his potential in the postseason and in upcoming years.

Looking ahead to next season, the lineup will be mostly upperclassmen. Coach Chau’s ambitions are to “have a winning record and win areas and sectionals. Although these are lofty goals, I believe if we stick to our commitment to practice and conditioning, it is in our grasp”.

The wrestling season will conclude with the Area Tournament starting February 3rd, the Sectional Tournament on February 10th, and the State Tournament on February 17th. Wrestlers must qualify through the Area tournament to reach the Sectional and State Tournaments.