Gordon Lee's Jonathan Ragsdale to wrestle for WVU

photo Jonathan Ragsdale

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. -- Sammie Henson has coached wrestling in nearly every corner of the country except the Southeast. That, however, hasn't prevented the first-year West Virginia University head coach from making a pair of northwest Georgia stars a part of his initial recruiting class.

Gordon Lee senior Jonathan Ragsdale, a three-time GHSA state champion and the 2013-14 Best of Preps Farr-Worsham wrestler of the year, will join Ridgeland's Caleb Mariakis at WVU next year after committing to Henson this week. Ragsdale said he was hooked right away after visiting the campus for a couple of reasons.

"Coach Henson is a really good wrestler and he's built kind of like me," he said. "His accolades and reputation as a coach played a part, but what really caught my attention is how he and his coaching staff and athletes are real family-oriented. It's also awesome having Caleb going up there with me. We talk all the time, and I called him and told him and he's really excited for me."

Henson has been a elite assistant coach for 17 years and helped bring in top-five recruiting classes to his last two stops, Oklahoma and Missouri. He's a multi-time national champion competitor and has coached 20 All-Americans on the collegiate level.

In three prep seasons Ragsdale has amassed a 162-8 record, with seven of the losses coming his freshman year. In the past two seasons he has 51 pins, 19 technical falls and 513 takedowns and has earned All-American status for his offseason success. Gordon Lee coach Brent Raby believes he will make an early impact in college.

"He's got all the tools he needs and the tenacity, technique and motivation to be successful in college," Raby said. "He had several offers, but he really just liked Coach Henson. Their body styles are similar and he will be able to help Johnny put on the weight he'll need at the college level. Really, West Virginia is just a good fit for him."

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.

Upcoming Events