Not long ago, it would have seemed unfathomable that Douglas County was anywhere close to winning a region wrestling crown. However, that is just what happened Saturday afternoon as the Tigers swept the 3-AAAAAA field for the 2012-13 Duals Championship.

“I am so stoked,” said DC coach Jereme Fountain. “I know the region isn’t as strong as other but our kids have worked their tails off. “

“It is a big milestone for these kids and a well deserved high five,” he added

The Tigers did not just win a region title, but dominated its opponents in the process. Douglas County opened the round-robin formatted tourney with a shutout of Westlake, winning 82-0. Against Langston Hughes in the second match, the Tigers won 66-16.

Newnan put up the best fight of the night but would fall to Douglas County 54-24. DC wrapped up the day with a 55-20 victory over East Coweta.

“Newnan was a little more stout than we had seen before and a little tougher opponent,” Fountain said. “East Coweta was the exact same way.”

Against East Coweta, DC clinched the region championship in a most auspicious way. DC went into the 220-pound weight class and all they needed to do was not get pinned. However, their normal 120 was not available. In stepped Zann Williams.

“”His mission was just don’t get pinned,” Fountain said. “He managed to roll around on the mat, move out of harms way, and only give up three points.”

“It’s funny how winning can sometimes come down to how you lose,” he added.

While the loss clinched the championship, there were also several wins along the way.

The Tigers were led by Kalum Lo Vargas, Solomon Green, TJ Beaird, Woodrow Kavanagh, Desmond Wareham, and Michael Parris, who all went undefeated in their respective weight class.

Green wrestled at 138 and managed to beat some tough opponents in the process.

“We always joke that he always seems to draw the toughest competition,” Fountain said. “He wrestled smooth, strong, and technically sound.”

Beaird wrestled at 170 and managed to put forth the effort doing it his way.

“He has his own personality and it worked for him today,” Fountain said. “He picked up two pins that we really had to have.”

Parris found himself constantly out-weighted at 220 but managed to go undefeated anyways.

“He is a relentless wrestler, stays with it and finds a way to pull out matches,” said Fountain.

Lo Vargas wrestled at 132 and Desmond Wareham competed at 182.

“We really needed a big day out of Demond and he came through,” Fountain said. “Kalum is a tough wrestler that does not quit.”

DC will now prepare for the AAAAAA State Dual tourney on Friday where they will face some of the best teams in any classification including Archer and Collins Hill.

“We can not let it be enough to just win a region,” Fountain said. “I want them to go to State and wrestle the best, smartest matches they know how to wrestle. We are not laying down for anyone.”