He replaces Al Arrigoni who relinquished the post because of the demands of his job as the director of The First Tee of the Sandhills.

Ragsdale teaches drafting and begins his fourth season as the head wrestling coach of the Vikings. Last year's grapplers won the conference regular season and conference tournament championships.

He's excited about beginning practices with a girls' squad that sent three freshmen to the 1-A/2-A/3-A state championships last year, finishing 10th out of 20 teams.

"I just know we've got some dedicated girls who have been playing in the off-season," Ragsdale said Wednesday. "I hope we can continue getting better, and get back to the state tournament."

Dale Buie, Union Pines athletic director, appreciates the contributions made by Arrigoni. Rising sophomore Robert Hoadley, who finished seventh in last spring's 3-A state tournament, as well as a number of the other members of the Viking boys' and girls' squads, have been participants in The First Tee program.

Buie also feels that Ragsdale, an avid golfer, is the right person to replace Arrigoni.

"Matt has a pretty good golf background and was excited about the chance to take the job," Buie said. "He's done a very good job with the wrestling program."