The DCMS wrestling teams start to the 2014 season has been a positive one.

The Tigers picked up a resounding team victory in the first tournament of the season when they took to the mats at the Eagle Wrestling Classic on Saturday, November 1. Dawson outmatched nine competing teams compiling a score of 167. The nearest competition at the event was White County with 140 points. Lumpkin County finished third at the event with a score of 140.

The Tigers had 11 wrestlers in the finals at the event and 16 placers.

Jake Yother, Mason Askew, Wyatt Smith, DJ Mitchell, Caleb Carter, Chandler Wood, Levi Baggett and Ethan Smith each grappled their way to first place finishes at the Eagle Wrestling Classic. Ben McGinnis, Kelton LeBaron, Robbie Rarick and Kevin Arias each finished in second place at the event. Shawn Thomas, Andrew Menoche and Jack Cupp secured third place finishes. Iszaack OBryant captured fourth place at the tournament.

We have a lot of work to do, said DCMS head wrestling coach Thomy Edwards. But, were head and shoulders above where we were last year.

Edwards praised his assistant coach Christopher Doerrer for the teams turn around from last year.

Coach Doerrers technique and ability to connect with athletes has spurred dramatic growth and we are fortunate to have a cohesive working relationship.

The Tigers then lost a hard fought battle when they hosted the Indians of Lumpkin County to a dual on Thursday, November 7.

Dawson won eight of the 15 matches in the dual, but an early forfeit cost the team a win as Lumpkin took the dual 48-43.

We knew this would be a tight match and thats why we love wrestling Lumpkin, Edwards said. Tough matches make tough wrestlers.

The Tigers were able to win 23 out of 34 exhibition matches against the Indians before the dual.

Despite the loss, the kids and parents had fun, said Doerrer. We know what to fix. Its just a matter of putting in the work.

The Tigers bounced back from the loss to Lumpkin with a third place overall finish at the Junior Mountaineer Tournament in Lumpkin County on Saturday, November 8.

Perennial wrestling powerhouse Clear Creek Middle School won the event with White County capturing second place just ahead of Dawson.

The boys showed grit, Edwards said. I couldnt be more proud.

The Tigers had 13 placers at the event and four wrestlers in the finals. Askew and Wood both went undefeated on the day to capture first place finishes. Rarick and Cupp both placed second at the tournament with only one loss each on the day. Wyatt Smith, Ethan Smith, Joseph Bailey, LeBaron and Christain Harper each earned third place finishes. Phillip Padget, McGinnis, Mitchell and Christain Summers each wrestled their way to fourth place finishes.

These kids dont stop wrestling and theyre highly coachable, Doerrer said. Its exciting to watch them define themselves as a team.

The Tigers will hit the mats in hopes of improving their techniques and skills when they take part in a tournament at Union County Middle School on Saturday, November 15. First match will start at 9 a.m.