Collins Hill Trio Signed Monday

By Brandon Brigman
GNWA Correspondent

Collins Hill has had one of the most dominating wrestling programs since 2000, placing in the top three at the dual and traditional state tournaments every year.
The Eagles have produced dozens of state placers and plenty of state champions. Several of those wrestlers have even gone on to wrestle in college.

But the Eagles have never had a senior class like this season. T.J. Mitchell (Virginia Tech), Joel Smith (Arizona State) and C.J. Collins (Fort Hays State) will sign scholarships on Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the school's cafeteria.

The three scholarship signings in one year is a first for the Eagles' program and a rarity for Georgia high school wrestling.

"Three in one year, that's pretty special," Collins Hill head coach Cliff Ramos said. "That's just for the early signing period. We are not done. We feel like we got some other possibilities that could wrestle in college."

Smith was the most recent Eagle commitment, choosing Arizona State on Tuesday.
"They have a good coaching staff, which I think fits my style and it's just a great place to be," Smith said. "I visited last weekend. We checked out the facilities, hung out with the team and went to the USC-ASU game."

Smith chose ASU over offers from Maryland, The Citadel and Old Dominion.
"I've always wanted to go somewhere with warm weather and their coaching style fits me, so I had no problem going with them," Smith said. "They wrestle some of the best schools. That will get me ready for what I want to do, which is win an NCAA title."

Smith said he plans to major in Business and that ASU has the No. 3 business school in the country.
"I wanted to get it over with before the season started and not worry about deciding on a college," Smith said.

Smith was 54-1 last season as he won the 140-pound Class AAAAA state championship. He was second at state as a sophomore and finished fourth as a freshman.