​Eagles’ Barker takes emotional ride to first state wrestling tournament

by Michael Smith


Grain Valley head coach Donald Horner is someone who passionate when coaching his wrestlers at any dual or tournament.

Fans can often see him on his feet, leaning forward and shouting out moves for his wrestlers to do during a match. Last Saturday, he dialed up the enthusiasm and intensity even more than usual when senior Gavin Barker was wrestling in the bubble match of the 215-pound weight class in the Class 4 District 4 boys state
wrestling tournament.

Horner was on the edge of his seat, pumping his fist and shouting, “Yes!” each time Barker got a takedown against Fort Osage senior Isaac Fields. It was Barker’s last chance to qualify for the state tournament. A loss would have ended his season.

There was extra emotion in the match because Barker and Fields have been longtime friends and grew up wrestling against each other. On this day, Barker came out on top as he won 7-3 to clinch his first trip to the state tournament.

Barker, who finished fourth at districts after falling to Lee’s Summit North Barrett Lawless in the consolation finals, was one of three Eagles to earn their first trip to state as juniors Tyler Jones (120 pounds) and Justin King (126) both placed fourth to punch their ticket to Columbia.

Junior Zac Bleess (132), a two-time state medalist, finished second at districts to make it through; and senior Colston Parks (138) will make his second appearance at state following a second-place finish at districts.

Barker went over and gave Fields a big hug. After that, he gave a high five to assistant coach Reece Schaaf and hugged Horner after an emotional win.

“It was very overwhelming to say the least,” Barker said. “Horner has been my No. 1 supporter in the room. He’s never once doubted me. He said he knew I was going to make it to state. Having him in my corner is a confidence booster.

“It was really sad because Isaac and I didn’t want to knock each other out (of the tournament). He told me he’s passing the torch to me and now I got to do big things.”

Horner had high praise for his senior.

“It’s really special,” Horner said. “He’s not only an amazing wrestler but is a superb human being. He does everything right. It was really emotional, and I am really happy for him.”

Barker will be a No. 4 seed in the state and will face Francis Howell Central’s Garo Sams in the first round. His strategy is to outlast his opponents for 6 minutes.

“I need to push my pace and exhaust my guy to the point where they collapse on the mat,” Barker said. “That is when I am at my best.”

Like Barker, Jones will be making his first appearance. At districts, he pinned Fort Osage senior Kaiden Johnson in the bubble match to advance. Jones was on the junior varsity team for Lincoln College Prep last season and said he was close to quitting the sport.

His mother convinced him not to and it paid off as he will compete on the biggest stage in the  Missouri high school boys wrestling scene. He will take on Glendale senior Shawn Lang in the first round.

“I always knew I could do it,” Jones said. “For me, it’s a mindset thing. I didn’t start last year. I kept wrestling and wrestling and started to have close matches with guys who are ranked high. I thought, ‘They are not that much better than me. Why can’t I beat that kid?’

“My mom told me I got too deep into it to quit. I might as well stick to it. She told me I am better than I think I am.”

King will have his first state wrestling match against Lafayette Wildwood junior Callum Brown on Friday.
Bleess, who is No. 2 in his weight class according to the MissouriWrestling.com rankings, will see Rolla junior Carson Mickem in the first round.

Parks will have one last shot to earn his first state medal. In the first round, he will face Fort Zumwalt North’s Patrick Provost.