Saturday, Jan. 3, was a historic day for Potomac Falls wrestling. Junior Spencer Hurrell and senior Forest Saunders won the championship in their respective weight divisions at the annual Spartan Slam wrestling tournament hosted at Broad Run High School. Senior Garrett Griffith attained his 100th varsity win in the tournament and won the tournament for his respective weight class of 160 pounds. The meet featured the top wrestlers from Loudoun County schools Broad Run, Freedom, John Champe, Park View, Tuscarora, as well as wrestlers from Armstrong High School (Richmond), Liberty (Fairfax), North Stafford (Stafford), and West Springfield (Fairfax).

The tournament included teams that Potomac Falls High School does not normally face, adding extra adversity to the already strenuous sport. In the final round, Saunders, in the 195-pound-weight class, faced a high ranking and accomplished wrestler.

“[My opponent] was from North Stafford and I had never faced him. He got second place at the NOVA Classic so I knew he was pretty good,” said Saunders.

Hurrell, a 120 pound class wrestler, faced a familiar foe in his final match. To win the tournament, he faced  his drilling partner from over the summer. Being matched up with a familiar opponent made the clash easier on Hurrell.

“I wrestled someone I practiced with all summer. He goes to Broad Run. I basically knew what he was going to do. At first I had trouble because he knew what I was going to do, but I caught him with a move. It was a match where I just grinded it out and won by four points,” said Hurrell.

Like Saunders, and unlike Hurrell, Griffith faced a wrestler from North Stafford who he was not familiar with. In his 100th victory, Griffith pinned his opponent in a mere 25 seconds.

Aside from the match itself, Hurrell faced an obstacle because the Spartan Slam was his first tournament back after tearing his meniscus and having offseason surgery. Despite the challenges, Hurrell savored the win as it was his first tournament victory in his three year wrestling career. Saunders enjoyed his own first tournament victory with Hurrell and Griffith’s 100th victory.

“It felt amazing to win my first tournament while having Garrett win his 100th match and Spencer win his first tournament back,” said Saunders.

Although elated after earning his 100th win, the significance of the moment did not come to him as quickly as it did for the other wrestlers or even his friends at the meet.

“I honestly forgot it was my 100th win until [Coach] Puterio announced over the speakers, because he was helping with the tournament. My friend at the tournament realized before I did,” said Griffith.

Winning the tournament was a significant milestone for all of the wrestlers, but Saunders is insatiable. This tournament was a remarkable victory, but he is looking towards the future.

“My goal is to make it to the state finals and achieve what I’ve been working for since I started wrestling,” said Saunders.

The future is on the mind of Griffith as well. Although earning 100 career victories was a goal of Griffith’s, there will be not let up until he reaches his ultimate goal of winning a state title.