Photo by Kim North Barnesville’s Skyler King works on the arm of Baldwin’s Keith Mincins during their 160-pound bout at the 27th annual “Clash of the Champions” all-star wrestling match Wednesday night inside the Brooke Wellness Center. King won by major decision, 1-0, and the OVAC snapped a two-year losing drought with a 40-18 decision.

WELLSBURG — The OVAC, with three NCAA Division I recruits in the lineup, ended two years of frustration Wednesday night with a convincing, 40-18, victory over the MAC during the 28th annual “Clash of Champions” all-star wrestling match inside the Brooke Wellness Center.

Trailing 15-11 after six matches, Barnesville’s back-to-back Ohio Division III state champions — Reese Stephen (152) and Skyler King (160) — did that again for one final time. Stephen, a two-time state champion who is headed to Cleveland State University to continue his academic and athletic careers, put the OVAC ahead for good, 17-15, with a 55-second pin. King followed with a 10-0 major decision and the lead was quickly up to 21-15.

“It started off a little slow for us,” Barnesville head coach Jayson Stephen said of the dual. “I don’t know much about any of those MAC guys, but Reese and Skyler came through again like they have their whole careers. It was all good.”

Reese said it was fun to wrestle in this type of environment.

“You just go out and wrestle. There was no pressure. You just go out and have fun,” he added. “It was nice to put the team ahead, especially with a pin to end my career.”

When asked what it felt like to watch his son compete for the last time as a high school wrestler, Coach/Father Stephen replied, “I tried not to think about it, but since you brought it up, it’s bittersweet, for sure. He’s got a whole other chapter of his life ahead of him, as do most of the guys on the OVAC team. He had a good high school career, as did all of my seniors, and we’ll wait and see what the future brings.”

Parkersburg South’s Gage Wright (172), the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 175 in the nation who is headed to Virginia Tech, also pinned his opponent in 55 ticks as the margin increased to 27-15. Southern Local’s Gabe Blissenbach (189) doubled the count at 30-15 with a 6-0 decision.

Harrison Central’s Lucas Thomas (215) rebounded from a tough loss in the state finals on Sunday night, with a pin in 1:46 as the lead ballooned to 36-15. He is headed to Clarion University.

“It was good to come out here and get a win to end my career,” Thomas noted. “It wasn’t good the other night, but I came out tonight focused and took care of business.”

Barnesville’s Johnathan Huntsman (114), competing for the second time on the night, posted a 11-0 major decision for the final four team points.

Other OVAC winners were Oak Glen’s Logan Davis (121) by 20-4 technical fall; Shenandoah’s Tristen Rossiter (127) by a 13-11 count; and Weir’s Shawn Young (144) by a 5-4 nod.

King was voted the OVAC’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. He was presented with a plaque by event director Danny Doyle.

“It feels good to be able to help the team,” King said. “It’s sad the season is over already, but it is something you have to deal with.”

Prior to the dual meet, Stephen was awarded the OVAC’s Ohio Wrestler of the Year, while Wright received the OVAC’s West Virginia Wrestler of the Year. Each was presented with a plaque by OVAC Executive Director Dirk Decoy.

With the lop-sided victory, the OVAC now leads the all-time series, 18-9. The MAC had won 26-25 in 2022 and 29-24 last year. Next year’s event will be held at a MAC school.