The Dawson County wrestling team captured first place at the Amicalola Classic tournament held at Dawson County High School last week.

The Dec. 29-30 event was split into two parts. On Thursday teams were placed into two pools and wrestled each other. The winner of the two pools met in the championship match later that night.

Friday was a traditional individual weight class event. A winner was crowned at the end of a bracket designated by each wrestler's weight.

Eight teams participated in this year's tournament: Dawson County, Buford, East Jackson, Murphy, N.C, Towns County, Chattooga, Walnut Grove and Fannin County.

Dawson County dominated on Thursday and won the dual tournament.

The Tigers defeated Chattooga in the championship by a score of 72-6. Dawson was awarded 100 points, 25 per win, toward the team championship on Friday.

The Tigers also had wins against East Jackson, 66-16, Walnut Grove, 69-12 and Towns County, 54-17.

In the East Jackson match, Dawson won by way of pin in six matches.

Pinning their opponents were: Colton Chester (220 pounds), Justin Evans (106 pounds), James Evans (126 pounds), Zach Guy (145 pounds), Kevin Holtzclaw (152 pounds) and Preston Adams (160 pounds).

Against Walnut Grove the Tigers picked up points with pins by Justin Evans (106 pounds), Anthony Underwood (113 pounds), James Evans (126 pounds), Travis Dawson (138 pounds), Guy (145 pounds) and Holtzclaw (152 pounds).

Cory Jenkins defeated his Walnut Grove foe by a score of 9-2.

The last match for Dawson County in Pool A was against the Indians from Towns County.

Once again the Tigers ruled each weight class. Picking up points were: Keaton Toal (195 pounds)-pin; Colton Chester (220 pounds)-forfeit; Josh Gee (285 pounds)-forfeit; Jonathan Mulberry (120 pounds)-forfeit; James Evans (126 pounds)-pin; Cory Jenkins (132 pounds) in an 11-9 decision; Travis Dawson in a very exciting match with a 9-8 win at 138 pounds; Zach Guy (145 pounds)-pin; Preston Adams (160 pounds)-pin and Evan Kells (182 pounds) with a pin.

The championship with Chattooga was over early. Dawson posted six pins and six forfeits to take the title. Getting pins were Underwood (106 pounds), Evans (126 pounds), Jenkins (132 pounds), Dawson (138 pounds), Guy (145 pounds) and Holtzclaw (152 pounds).

Winning by way of forfeit were: Chester (220 pounds), Gee (285 pounds), Justin Evans (113 pounds), Gavin Brown (170 pounds), Kells (182 pounds) and Toal (195 pounds).

Friday each wrestler was placed in a tournament bracket. Points were awarded depending on which place the grappler finished.

Despite only winning one championship, Colton Chester at 220 pounds, the Tigers picked up numerous top three medals.

Taking second place were: Evans (126 pounds), Jenkins (132 pounds), Dawson (138 pounds), Guy (145 pounds), Adams (160 pounds), Toal (195 pounds) and Kells (182 pounds).

Capturing third place were: Josh Gee (285 pounds), Gavin Brown (170 pounds), Kevin Holtzclaw (152 pounds), Justin Evans (126 pounds) and Quade Buytendorp (113 pounds).

Danny Maciolek took a fourth place medal in the 170 pounds division.

Dawson County won the team title after all points were accumulated. The Tigers amassed a total of 310 points, which was 100 points better than second place finisher, Buford. The Wolves tallied 210 points.

The Tigers will wrestle at the Area Duals at Elbert County High School this Friday and Saturday.