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Barnesville rallies to win Shamrock Duals

BARNESVILLE’S DAKOTA King celebrates after recording a pin to clinch the match with Sandy Valley and give the Shamrocks the team championship, 42-41, of the second annual Shamrock Duals Saturday.

BARNESVILLE — In order for Barnesville to win the second annual Shamrock Duals, it would need a comeback.

After recording four straight pins to open the final dual — which started at 132 pounds — Saturday with Division III rival Sandy Valley, the Shamrocks watched the Cardinals reel off victories in seven of the next nine bouts to take a 41-36 lead. However, Barnesville wasn’t finished.

With returning state-placer Dakota King (126) taking the mat, the hosts needed a pin to secure the team championship. King, who was sixth at 113 in 2020, didn’t let his teammates down as he put his opponent down for the count at the 3-minute, 51-second mark, giving the Shamrocks a 42-41 triumph.

Barnesville finished 5-0 on the day. It also defeated Akron North, 84-0; Greenon, 48-36; Tuslaw, 60-13; and Hurricane, W.Va., 54-21.

“The opening weekend is always tough. We had to have some kids come through right there and it came down to the end,” Barnesville head coach Jayson Stephen said. “We knew Sandy Valley had a good team.”

Dakota King, just a sophomore, was one of three Shamrocks who posted a perfect 5-0 record on the day. He and senior Griffen Stephen (120) both won all of their matches by pin, while sophomore Reese Stephen (120) won three by pin and received two forfeits.

“Those guys know what they have to do and it stinks when they get forfeits but it is what it is,” Coach Stephen said. “They usually try to get it done. This time they did.”

A trio of Shamrocks went 4-1. They were Johnny Huntsman (106/113); Skyler King (138) and Karson Milhoan (157).

“Overall, everyone is doing a good job. There are some things that we need to work on, and we’ll get back at it Monday.”

Hurricane and Sandy Valley both ended up 3-2, but Hurricane won the head-to-head tiebreaker to place second and Sandy Valley third. Greenon and Tuslaw both finished 2-3 and Akron North was 0-5.

Barnesville is next in action Saturday at the Rick Link Invitational at Union Local High School.

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