MOULTRIE — Randall Balch is trying to build a wrestling program at Darton College in Albany and says he thinks a pair of athletes from Colquitt County High can help.

Two-time Region 1-AAAAA heavyweight champion Antonio Sutton and Ricky Grier signed on Thursday to be part of Darton’s third wrestling team.

Balch, the former Colquitt County coach who is now leading the Darton program, said he was pleased to get the two Packers.

“I coached Antonio his junior year,” Balch said. “And I’ve gone and watched several matches. I’ve kept tabs on them.

“I think they’ve got some untapped talent. I just want to continue what was started here. They are going to be a good fit.”

Balch said he tried to get Grier on the mats last year. But it was current Packers coach Greg Tillery who persuaded Grier, who also was a fullback on the Packers football team, to join the wrestling team this season.

And in his first season, he posted a 22-9 record in the 215-pound class.

“I remember his first match when he got sick,” Tillery said. “But he bounced back and came in third at region.

“He was a huge surprise.”

Balch said he expects Grier to wrestle at 235 at Darton.

Sutton, a starting tackle on the Packers football team, was no surprise, winning region titles in both his junior and senior seasons and finishing third in the state in February.

“Finishing third out of 32 kids at state speaks for itself,” Tillery said.

Known as “Bear,” Sutton posted a combined record of 65-8 the last two seasons wrestling in the 285-pound weight class.

“We knew going in he was going to be the man in 285,” Tillery said.

Ironically, Sutton’s top competition in the region, Matt Seaman of Tift County, will sign today with Darton.

Tillery said that Darton College having a wrestling program is allowing Sutton and Grier not only a chance to continue their careers, but also to get an opportunity to complete their education.

“I’m glad they are getting a chance to further their education,” Tillery said. “That’s the biggest thing here today. That’s an opportunity a lot of kids don’t get.

“And I know they are going to represent Darton and our community well.”

Balch said he hopes to have between 49-52 wrestlers on his second Darton team.

“We’re looking to let people know there is wrestling in south Georgia,” he said.

Darton went 19-12 last season, finished seventh in the country and had three All Americans.