The Darlington Classic is not only one of the biggest wrestling events of the year for Darlington, it is one of the biggest events Darlington hosts all year. The Tigers had a successful weekend, taking first place as a team and having five first place finishers individually, including junior Rhett McDurmon, freshman Luke McDurmon, senior Davis Peek, junior Garrett Sheffield, and junior Colton Woods.

“The biggest part of the tournament that happened was that as a team, we had won the whole thing by 18 points, which has never happened before,” Woods said.

This year’s Darlington Classic was a big milestone for the Tigers.

“It was the first time we have ever taken first place as a team at the Darlington Classic,” sophomore Tysen Dougherty said.

The tournament was not as successful for other people, but the team taking first place was most important.

“I think that my performance could’ve been better, but the team as a whole did pretty well,” Dougherty said.

Some individuals were not happy with their performance.

“I wrestled a match, pinned the kid, and then I started throwing up after the match and went home,” junior 2nd place finisher Dalton Blankenship said.

This tournament prepares the wrestlers for their upcoming area and state championship meets.

“It is really the boost and momentum we needed before Area and State coming up, so now we are all confident that we will peak when it matters most,” Woods said.

The upcoming state championship is the end goal in the Tiger’s minds.

”I think coming up this year we will have a lot of state champions,” Dougherty said.

Although the Darlington Classic was a successful tournament for the Tigers, it was only the beginning for them.

“This tournament was not our peak, we plan to peak at the state tournament when it matters,” senior Davis Peek said.