MOULTRIE – The Colquitt County varsity wrestling team will open its 2008-2009 season today when it plays host to the first Packer Dual tournament.

The tournament will include eight teams, divided into two pools of four teams each.

After three matches, the top two two teams in each pool will face off for the tournmament championship.

Wrestling will start at 9:30 this morning on two mats at the Gladys Espy Memorial Gymnasium. The championship match is expected to start at about 5:30 p.m.

Valdosta is sending two teams to the tournament.

Teams from Thomas County Central, Crisp County, Bainbridge and Berrien also will take part.

Which teams will compete in each pool will be determined by a draw after the weigh-ins this morning.

“We wanted to give our kids something to be proud of to kick off the season,” said Colquitt County head coach Travis Torbert, who is taking over as the varsity head coach this year. He coached the middle school team for several years and was the varsity assistant to Greg Tillery last season.

Torbert’s 103-pounders are fresman Matthew Deal and sophomore Jose Zunun, who qualified for the state meet as a freshman last year.

“We’re expecting a lot from him,” Torbert said.

Sophomore Reed Lott, one of a number of newcomers, will wrestle at 112.

Kevin Lemire, another new member of the team, will be at 119.

At 125 will be junior Cason Conger and freshman Dejarion Spence.

Senior Jacorey Dillard is back with the Packers and will wrestle at 125 if he regains his eligibility.

Dillard wrestled for Colquitt County as a freshman and a sophomore, but moved to Tift County last year, where he gained eligibilty just in time to qualify for state.