BARNESVILLE’S DAKOTA King, left, and Brendon Ralston display their awards for winning championships at the NuWay Summer Nationals in Atlantic City. King won at 130 pounds in the high school division, while Ralston finished first at 38 pounds in the 7-and-under division.

BARNESVILLE- Dakota King has established himself as one of the premier high school wrestlers, not only in the Ohio Valley, but in the state of Ohio, as well.

The two-time all-Ohioan and reigning Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Ron Mauck Tournament 126-pound champion recently captured a national title at the NuWay Summer Nationals inside Harrah’s Resort, but he wasn’t alone.

The junior-to-be at Barnesville this fall captured his title at 130 pounds and has been training and serving as a counselor for young, aspiring matmen at the Wrestling Mill in Belmont.

One of his proteges, Brendon Ralston, also stood high atop the podium following his run through the 7-and-under 38-pound weight class.

“He’s a tough little dude. He’s a stud,” King said of the 5-year-old Ralston, who goes by the nickname of ‘Beast.’ “He has really come a long way in a short time.”

Ralston was quick with his answers, just like his matches.

He went 4-0 in claiming his national championship, with all four matches ending in pins, including a 2-minute, 54-second fall of Zachary Santos-Schmidt of Cobra Trained Wrestling Club.

“It was fun. I did good,” he offered.

He said that working with King has really helped him further his skills.

“”It’s good. He’s nice.”

When asked what his goal is, he replied, “get pins.”

In addition to his win in the finals, he also recorded pins in 2:37, 22 seconds and 1:21.

Ralston also placed fourth in the 7-and-under at 38 pounds, and was a member of the Florida Scorpions Wrestling Club who finished fifth. He sported a 4-1 record with four falls, including a lightning-quick 8-second victory; a pair of 19-second falls and one match that lasted a whole 1:48.

“”He is a great kid who is very aggressive. He doesn’t wait around,” King said of Ralston. “He goes right after his opponent.”

“It was a fun time. I won four matches,” King said of his time on the East Coast. “It was a good experience for the upcoming high school season. I’m pumped. I can’t wait.”

King posted two pins and a major decision en route to his title.

“My toughest match was my first one,” he said of a 13-2 major decision. His second win came over a wrestler from Mechanicsburg.

After finishing sixth in the state as a freshman at 113, he improved to a third-place medal last season. However, he still hasn’t reached his ultimate goal.

“I’m chasing a title,” he admitted. “Nothing less this year.”

In his first two seasons, King has compiled a lofty 92-9 record, with four of those reversals coming in state tournament competition. He is a two-time Ohio Division III sectional and district champion.

According to the initial Borofan Ohio rankings for the 2022-23 season, King is penciled in the number four slot at 132 pounds. However, he’s not worried one bit.

“That ranking doesn’t mean a thing right now, but I do like being the underdog,” he said with a smile.

King is just one of seven Shamrocks to receive a spot among the top wrestlers in their respective weight classes. Skyler King, no relation, is ranked No. 1 at 144 while younger brother, Ayden King, is sixth at 150. Also receiving a No. 6 ranking is Reese Stephens at 138. Blake Hinkle (126-9th); Logan Tague (157-13th) and Johnathan Huntsman (106-13th) round out the list.

Harrison Central’s Lucas Thomas, the 215-pound champion at last winter’s OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament, also received a top ranking. His brother, Landen, is 19th at 285.

Martins Ferry’s Dylan Ward checks in at No. 12 at 120, while George Hulsey is 16th at 175.

River’s Marshall Bier (285-7th) and Brayden Strawn (215-23rd) round out the locals.

There were 19 total D-III wrestlers receiving mention.

In D-II, 16 grapplers were cited, with Steubenville’s Eric Williams getting the top nod at 190. He is a transfer from East Liverpool.

Steubenville’s Brody Saccoccia (132) and the Indian Creek duo of C.J. Spencer (150) Dom Paterra (157) all received No. 2 rankings.

St. Clairsville’s Brennan Stout checked in at 12th at 175.