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Chase High School Senior
Sammy Peticos,
brings home his third NCHSAA
Wrestling Championship
Never before, in the history of wrestling in Rutherford County Schools, has any student captured three titles.
"It feels great to be able to represent Chase High School and Rutherford County. Chase High has done so much for me that it was great to put them on the map as a great wrestling school" says Peticos on his most recent win. "Coach Dedmon has played a major role in my, and the teams, development in high school. My freshman year we had a dual team record of 2-23. Finishing my senior year we had a record of 46-3. This is because Coach Dedmon knows how to develop kids to get the most out of them. We also have a close wrestling team that makes us have great team chemistry. Team chemistry plays a big role in tough duals and tournaments. For me, personally, Dedmon has helped a lot. He stayed after practice with me, helped with my match strategy and pushed me to the max to get the most he could out of me. I would not be a 3 time state champion without him. I could not be more thankful for the opportunities Chase High school has given me."
What does it take to produce a champion? CHS Head Wrestling Coach Adam Dedmon tell us, "Intense physical and cardiovascular training is required to be championship material. The guys wrestle year round in tournaments and attend wrestling club practices to improve technique. All of the guys try to get 40-50 matches in the off season... wrestling season never ends. It is a lifestyle for our guys."
"Sammy and Chase High had a great year" said assistant coach, Sheldon Sisk, all while quick to point out that there have been several other notable athletes produced here in the county. "We had a very successful and exciting season at East Rutherford this year. Individually, we had two state qualifiers. Senior, Jonathan Laughter and Sophomore, Taylor Thorn. Senior, Dylan Epping also had a very impressive season finishing with a 38-4 record" reports ERHS Head Coach, Tim Bird, and RS Central Head Coach Rich Cox adds "We had two state champions this year and a runner-up. Caleb Spears was a state champion at 160lb. in only his third year wrestling. He was a state qualifier his first year as a sophomore, a state runner-up last year, and a champion this year. In his first full year of high school wrestling, Kanaan Brock was a state champion this year at heavy weight. Ramon Rodriguez was a state runner-up at 195lb. losing a heartbreaking 2-1 match in the finals. We were third in the individual state as a team. We have had four state champions in the last 3 years, and one of those was a two time champion, Austin Neal, who is wrestling in college. We expect to send three guys to college to wrestle this year which will make 5 guys going to college to wrestle in the last two years. We have a great group of young guys on the team with our two returning state qualifiers, Loki Ryan and Lukus Ferguson, along with many others that will perform well in the future. These guys are working really hard right now, and I expect them to just keep improving."
Aside from Sammy's historical wins, all 200 of them, Coach Dedmon expressed his pride in the accomplishments of fellow teammate, Chase Emory, who brought home a state championship in his weight class and set the freshmen career record at Chase High School, previously held by Sammy Peticos, with 53 wins. Hunter Dover and Dylan Thrift brought home 4th place finishes in the state tournament while Hunter Thompson,Thomas Taylor, Jacob Jenkins and Jordan Mode were all state qualifiers. "I really am going to miss our Seniors next season because they are the first guys I got to buy in what we are trying to accomplish here at Chase High School" continues Coach Dedmon. "I have to really thank all of my assistant coaches, Sheldon Sisk, Mark Emory, William Dover, and Brent Luckadoo for all the hard work they put into helping these kids succeed. All of this would not be possible without their time and dedication... Sammy Peticos and Chase Emory will be attending University of North Carolina at Pembroke to continue their academic and wrestling careers. I am really excited that they chose my alma mater and look forward to being a mentor and watching them succeed."
Chase High School won the 2017 2A West Regional Individual Tournament as a team. This was the first time in school history that Chase won the Wrestling 2A Regional Individual Tournament and finished second at the Individual State Tournament as a team.
Congratulations Sammy Peticos. Rutherford County is proud of you, your teammates and all of the fine young men representing us so well in the sport of wrestling. We wish you all continued success as your journeys unfold.
