Jacob with coaches Bartolotta and Dunning

Jacob A. started the season off with a quest to become the third state champion in Central Gwinnett's history. This past Saturday night at the Gwinnett Center Arena, Jacob fulfilled this dream by capturing the 285 lb. Class AAAAA State Wrestling Championships.

On his way to the finals, Jacob recorded three pins and one decision and a perfect record of 56 wins and no losses. Most predicted he would capture the prestigious 285 lb. AAAAA State title, but to win a state championship for Central, he would have to capture five victories in a thirty-two man bracket.

At the tournament, Jacob pinned his first round opponent Austin R. from Mill Creek in 1:28.  In the second round, Terrence F. from Valdosta was pinned in about the same time. Jacob moved to the quarterfinals on Friday morning in a duel with Eric B. from East Paulding County. This was a big hurdle for Jacob, since he lost in the quarterfinals last year as a sophomore. However, this was a totally different Jacob, and his opponent from East Paulding was taken down early and pinned in the first period, guaranteeing a sixth place finish in the tournament. Thomas D. from Collins Hill, was picked by some to upset Jacob, but he was primed for this big semifinal matchup. Thomas wrestled nearly a perfect match, yet Jacob still came out on top by a score of 2 - 1. Jacob held him down for two minutes in the last period for the victory.  Jacob pinned his final opponent, Jerrod T. from Etowah County in the first period. Jacob made history as the first undefeated state champion from Central Gwinnett, finishing the season with a perfect 61-0.

Jacob set a county record with 51 pins on the year and 49 came in the first period. He collected nine forfeits, and had one judge's decision to round his 61 victories. Only a junior, Jacob is looking forward to improving this off season and becoming Central's first two time state champion. He also plans to become the best heavyweight wrestler in the country next year.

Central Gwinnett finished the season 24-9, and won two tournaments this year. Jacob has been an excellent leader for our program, and is a leader not only on the wrestling mat but in the classroom. Jacob currently has a 3.5 GPA, and plans on attending college in the future to study linguistics. "I have been blessed to have such a fine student-athlete here at Central Gwinnett in my first year [as wrestling coach]. Jacob is once in a lifetime, and he will exemplify hard work and dedication for all future student-athletes here at Central Gwinnett" said Coach Thomas Bartolotta.