AHSAA Mourns Loss Of Prattville Wrestling Great
The AHSAA’s member schools were saddened by news of the death of five-time Class 6A state wrestling champion John Hayden Countryman of Prattville. The 22-year old died unexpectedly at his home Sept. 22.
Countryman, who signed with Virginia Tech out of high school in 2009, compiled a 267-9 record at Prattville High School, winning state championships at 152 pounds in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 to become the only wrestler in state history to win five state titles in the same weight division. He is one of just six wrestlers to win five AHSAA titles.
The popular wrestler was 62-1 as a senior, 59-1 as a junior, 55-1 as a sophomore, 51-3 as a freshman and 40-1 as an eighth grader. He was 176-3 over his last three seasons for the Lions. He was ranked the nation’s 18th best prep wrestler as a senior according to Wrestling USA Magazine and earned NHSCA All America honors as a junior. Countryman had 95 pins in his final 123 high school matches.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Countryman family and Prattville High School,” said AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese. “John Hayden was an extraordinary student-athlete and true champion who represented his family, school and community well.”
The Countryman family has been one of the most recognized names in Alabama’s prep wrestling history. John Hayden’s older brothers Tyler and Jordan were also outstanding wrestlers. Their dad Cline, a former state champion in high school, has been an ardent supporter of the sport. His efforts helped bring the sport back to the forefront in the last decade.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Prattville.