The Grain Valley boys wrestling team will have some momentum going into the Class 4 District 4 tournament on Feb. 21.
The Eagles had a big matchup with Fort Osage Tuesday as both were unbeaten in Suburban White Conference duals. Grain Valley got some big wins from senior Tyler Jones and sophomores Brodie Davis and Dalton Burch as it captured a 43-27 victory to earn the Eagles’ first conference title since 2023.
“This is really great for our team and it helps us with our confidence going into districts,” Davis said. “I think a lot of our guys can make it to state this year.”
Jones (132 pounds) helped jump start the Eagles to a conference title. He pinned Fort Osage junior Luke Steffens with a half nelson.
“I knew I could do it, I have pinned him before,” Jones said. “I knew I was going to have to wrestle smart. I knew I could beat him, I am better. I knew we needed a win for the conference title.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy win against Fort Osage.”
David (157) took very little time ending his match with Kalel Phillips. He locked up both of his opponents arms and earned a pin in just 45 seconds to get another important six team points for his squad.
“I took him down with a snap down go behind,” Davis said. “Then I did a chop and hooked the wing and turned him for the pin.”
Burch (175) sealed the win for his team and made the point spread too large for Fort Osage to overcome.
He got a quick takedown of Michael Hillmon and rolled him over with a head and arm for a pin in 55 seconds.
“It felt great to secure it,” Burch said. “I felt smooth and quick. All my moves are coming together.”
Other Eagles to pick up wins were
106 pounds: Kaeler Byrd pinned Dawson Lucas in 2:59.
113: Beckett Jones notched a 12-2 major decision against Brennan Leeds.
126: Brady Jones took a 11-5 major decision over William Dufour.
165: Sjoeren Aumua won by fall after using a wrist and a half to get Tyson Chapin on his back in 29 seconds.
285: Maui Sua used a throw and used his body weight to get Angelo Torres’ shoulders to the mat for a pin in 41 seconds.
Fort Osage was competitive in the dual and got some solid wins of its own against Grain Valley. For the Indians, Grant Dunn (120) edged Brody Mohart 9-8; Kaison Schreier (138) bumped up two weight classes to win a marquee matchup with Zac Bleess, 7-1; Antonio Martinez (144) used five takedowns to aid a 17-7 major decision victory over Kobe Hughes; Gabriel Allen (150) earned a 18-2 tech fall in 2:57 against Aidan Larson; Isaac Ward (190) got two quick takedowns before getting a pin of Joseph Hutson in 50 seconds; and Nathan Parker used an ankle pick to get a takedown and transitioned to a headlock for a pin in 1:32.