Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Georgia Woods, Blankenship named RNT Co-Wrestlers of the Year
Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Rome, GA
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Woods, Blankenship named RNT Co-Wrestlers of the Year

April 21, 2017 | 342 views

Darlington's Colton Woods (right) flips around Commerce's Kole Burchett in the Class A 126-pound state championship match Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Macon. Woods used an escape to win 1-0. (Jeremy Stewart/RN-T.com)

Two-time state wrestling champions Dalton Blankenship (‘19) and Colton Woods (‘19) have been selected lead local group of top wrestling talent as part of the Rome News-Tribune All-Area Wrestling Team. 

The two sophomores had a very successful wrestling season, repeating their state titles for the second year in a row. 

Blankenship wrestled at 113 pounds for most of the season, winning matches by major decision most of the time and compiling a 23-1 record. Woods made the leap from 113 pounds to 126 pounds this season and went 41-2, winning the Mount Zion Invitational, Dragon Invitational, Jacket Invitational, Arab Invitational, and the Darlington Classic.

Both sophomores went from winning area, sectional and state titles in Class AA last year to repeating as champions at each level in Class A this year.

“Dalton and Colton both came really close to having an undefeated season. After dealing with possible season-ending injuries, their accomplishments were phenomenal,” said Kelly McDurmon, head wrestling coach. “They both followed the instructions of their coaches and doctors to be 100% healthy at season's end. There were so many parallels between their finals matches. Dalton won his match by a couple of points and Colton was victorious in a 1-0 match defeating last year's state champion. Off-season training coupled with strict adherence to doctor's orders allowed them to accomplish their goals.”  

Davis Peek (‘18) and Rhett McDurmon (‘19) were also named to the RN-T All-Area Wrestling First Team, and Elijah Ball (‘18) was named to the Second Team.