The dual between Suburban White Conference rivals Grain Valley and Platte County came down to the heavyweight bout.
Grain Valley’s Maui Sua, a returning state qualifier, needed to at least get a win by decision against Platte County’s Max Shuey as the Eagles trailed 38-35 going into the match.
A decision would have forced a tiebracker, but Sua did one better by pinning Shuey in just 27 seconds to win the dual for his team as Grain Valley topped the Pirates 41-38 Tuesday at Grain Valley High School.
“It feels great,” Sua said of winning the dual for his team. “I was just focused and did what I was supposed to do.”
Grain Valley was able to win despite giving up 24 points to Platte County due to forfeits. The Eagles sat some of their main wrestlers, including junior Sjoeren Aumua, who won his bracket in the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference Tournament last weekend.
“It wasn’t perfect, but nothing bad. I can’t complain,” Grain Valley head coach Donald Horner said. “I know we didn’t win every match. It felt like we were in most of them. We had some guys step up. Zac Bleess bumped up to 144 and Jett Parks stepped in at 138 to help. I am pretty happy.”
Bleess was able to get a win despite bumping up a weight class. He got a unique pin against Chase Hulett in the 144-pound bout in the second period to help his team earn six points.
“We do flow wrestling often,” Blees said. “If we get to the sweep single, then we post and scoop the elbow. A lot of kids were doing that last year and I haven’t had the opportunity to do it. I felt him post his elbow, I scooped it and rolled to my butt. He held on for a little too long, so I was able to get the pin.”
Tyler Jones (132), a returning state qualifier, was also able to get a big pin for his team. He took down Ian Giese in just 48 seconds to earn another six points for the Eagles.
“I wanted to go out there and show my stuff and get the pin,” Jones said. “That match was pretty important so I wanted to get the pin. I used a wrist and a half to get the pin.”
Other Eagles to capture victories include Kaeler Byrd (106) by forfeit, Brady Jones (126) by a 15-0 tech fall over Liam Franksen, Jett Parks (138) by fall in 2:41 over Kaiden Byng; and Brody Braa (150) by second-period fall against Brady McDaniel.
The Pirates were missing some of their top wrestlers, as well. Defending state champion Jaxson Shute or returning state runner-up Cole Johnson.
They still managed to keep the dual close as they won three contested matches. Cade Crawford (113) rolled to a 17-0 tech fall win over Beckett Jones, Grant Fadler (157) defeated Brodie Davis 7-2 and Jack Johnson (175) pinned Dalton Burch in 2:16.
Gabriel Whittel (120), Hank Marriott (165), Cooper Hammontree (190) and Phin McMain all won by forfeit for the Pirates.
“We got some young kids who need to get a little more fight off their backs,” veteran Platte County head coach Reggie Burress said. “That way we can deal with some of the absences we have.
“Cole and Jaxson are hurt, but we hope to have them back within a week.”
Girls
The Platte County girls team had a 42-point head start because of seven open spots for Grain Valley that resulted in forfeit wins as it took a 45-30 victory.
Ariel Humphreys (100), Karrington Friddell (105), Harper Golden (110), Charley Sims (115), Gabriella Ciccarelli (120), Katelyn Newberry (125) and Leighton McGaughy (145) all took forfeit wins for the Pirates.
Nicole Fernandez (235) earned Platte County’s lone win in a contested match as she defeated Aubrey Boos 8-2.
For the Eagles Tairyn Blocker (130) pinned Noelle Williams in 1:31; Addy Burch (135) won by an injury forfeit vs. Mattie Blankenship; Lucy Dampf (140) pinned Ava Blankenship in 5:25; Brooklyn Koepkey (155) won by fall in 1:10 against Arieana De La Cruz; and Jayden Moehle (190) won by forfeit.
