There is something exhilarating about body slamming someone on a blue vinyl mat, according to a group of wrestlers at Lucy Addison Middle School.

Your chest feels like it's nearly imploding, they said, as you look in the eyes of your opponent and your heart races. Winning is triumph as their families cheer in the stands and they realize they've advanced beyond their physical limits.

Nothing beats a win, they said, and they always feel victorious as the first wrestling team in Lucy Addison's history as a middle school.

"We slammed everyone," said Eric Gravely. "They might have thought we were savage."

Eric, who weighs 140 pounds and wrestles students who weigh up to 150, helped the wrestling team during its rise to a perfect season while serving as a captain.

The 2007-08 Lucy Addison wrestling team was the first in the school's history to have an undefeated season. The group marks a return of the wrestling program to the school and the matches help instill school pride and respect, said wrestling coach Loren Newman.

The students are ruthless on the mat and respectable young men in public, Newman said.

"These guys are perfect gentlemen," he said of his new team.

Newman also established strict requirements for the team, including a dress code and academic standards. Wrestlers were required to wear shirts and ties, some of which were provided by the coach and Lucy Addison Principal Robert Johnson.

But organizing and preparing for matches was difficult, team members said. The group of 21 said some team members had difficulty purchasing equipment, and some students began to leave the team because of academics, among other issues.

The team persevered. Wrestler Ikeem Fraction said the sport is a breath of fresh air for some team members who come from areas surrounded by drugs and violence. On the mat, he said, they face no judgment, and as a team they encourage one another and feel strength in their numbers.

"Not everyone is perfect," Ikeem said about his team members' actions on and off the mat. "Not everyone will be successful in everything, but we say 'good job' to everyone."

The team brought back four gold, three silver and three bronze medals along with two city championship trophies that are on display in the school's office. Many of the team members said they plan to wrestle next year, and encouraged others who are interested.

"We try to show them you can do what you want to do," Ikeem said about encouraging others. "Don't give up."