Jonathan Ragsdale '15 Recruiting Profile

3X State Champion, 2X NHSCA All American

Visit https://www.youtube.com/user/ragsman1 for videos.

I am Jonathan Ragsdale, and I’m a Senior at Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga, GA. I have a passion to take my athletic and academic abilities to the college level, where I have the potential to be a career 125 pound wrestler. I began wrestling when I was in the 3rd grade, and soon began training year around with Israel Silva at a kid’s club in Chattanooga, TN. My 7th grade year the club was taken over by Mike Hatcher, an Iowa graduate that trained under Dan Gable. I began taking private instruction from Coach Hatcher at that time as well, and have continued training with him ever since.

I began weight training in my 7th grade year with National Coach Steve Fauer. The weight lifting regimen is Olympic style, but tailored specifically for me to improve my wrestling skills. My freshman year in HS I tried competition weight lifting and became USA Weightlifting’s 50KG Youth National Champion. I was also selected as alternate to the Youth World Team. I no longer compete in weight lifting.

My 8th grade year I won a USA state title in folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco, earning the Georgia Triple Crown. That year I also won the SE Regionals in Freestyle and Greco, which earned me Georgia’s Five Point award for winning SE Regionals in both styles along with Georgia’s Triple Crown. Pre high school I placed in many national tournaments, including Super32, Georgia Grind, and Dixie Nationals.

I currently have a High School record of 162 wins and 8 losses, 7 of those from State Champions from other states and the other was a State finalist from another state. I am a 3X state champion, earning the title my freshman year at 106 lbs and my sophomore and Junior year at 113 lbs. My freshman year I placed 7th at the Kansas City Classic National Tournament. My sophomore year I earned All American status by placing 7th at the NCHSA Sophomore Nationals at Virginia Beach. I have recently won my 3rd GA HS state title. I also finished 4th at NHSCA Nationals in 2014 year to earn my second All American Title. My HS wrestling goal is to become Gordon Lee’s first ever 4X State Champion, and also to win a prestigious national tournament, such as NHCSA Nationals, before I graduate.

Academically I am also very capable. I have maintained a high GPA throughout high school, and continue to take honors and preparatory classes to help prepare me for college. I have not yet selected a major, however I am interested in science, technology, and mathematics. I also am considering a career in teaching and coaching.

I want to continue my wrestling career at the college level. I believe that I have the talent, the drive, and the work ethic to succeed as a college wrestler, both athletically and academically.  I want to find a college program that will help me be the absolute best that I can be, both as an athlete and as a student.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/user/ragsman1 to see more wrestling videos.