​Eagles wrestling takes conference opener over Belton, 54-16

by Michael Smith


The Grain Valley boys wrestling team was battle tested coming into its Suburban White Conference opener against Belton.

Some of their top returning wrestlers like seniors Gavin Barker and Colston Parks, junior Zac Bleess and sophomore Sjoeren Aumua competed in the Kansas City Stampede Tournament in late December, which had some of he best high school wrestlers from around the United States competing in it.

The competition was stiff as returning state qualifiers like Blees, Parks and Aumua did not place at the Stampede event. But matches like those the Eagles who competed valuable experience.

That showed in Wednesday’s dual against the Pirates as Bleess, Parks and Aumua all earned wins to help their team capture a comfortable 54-16 victory at home.

Bleess (132), a returning two-time state medalist, controlled his match from start to finish against Belton’s Kayden Vaught. He built a 6-2 lead before using an arm bundle to get a pin in 1:21.

“I really need to wrestle in a tournament like (the Kansas City Stampede),” Bleess said. “It really exposes my weaknesses. It’s cool winning matches like today where I get a quick pin, but I don’t get better that way. I like to have challenging matches like facing Ryan Shelton of Kearney or Tony Martinez of Fort Osage.

“Having those kids that can push me to be better is exactly what I need.”

Parks (138) had a similar experience at the Stampede as he said he learned from it. On Wednesday, he built a 10-1 lead in his match with Isaac Michalena before he used an armbar for a turn and a pin in 1:23.

“I think the competition is helping because I am getting used to wrestling 138-pounders,” Parks said. “I think my technique will help get me through it.

“I felt like (the match against Michalena) was pretty sloppy wrestling for me. I felt like I was getting to my stuff, but I stuck him and got the pin.”

Aumua (150) got to face one off against one of Belton’s best wrestlers in Diego Suarez. The sophomore got a headlock and throw and a four-point near fall in the first period and kept his opponent at arm’s length from there as he ended up with a 12-4 major decision victory.

“It was there the whole time he was underhooking me,” Aumua said of the throw. “The big throw was there and once I got it, I leaned back and got back points.”

Grain Valley had some first-year varsity wrestlers who made big contributions, as well. Freshman Brody Davis (165) pinned Kavion Thompson in 1:48, freshman Kobe Hughes (144) won 8-0 and junior Justin King (126) earned a 11-3 major decision.

“We have kids who buy into what we’re doing,” Grain Valley head wrestling coach Donald Horner said. “We are lucky to have kids like Kobe Hughes, Brady Jones and Brody Davis who have wrestling experience coming in. Their coaches did a great job getting them ready for high school competition.”

Freshmen Kaeler Byrd (106), Grant Burd (190), Brody Jones (113) and Gavin Brooke (120) all had wins by forfeit.

Girls
The Grain Valley girls wrestling team split six contested matches with Belton but surrendered 30 points due to forfeit, which helped result in a 52-30 loss.

Junior Jayden Moehle (235) pinned Emily Kilpatrick in 34 seconds; senior Mackenzie Davis (125) used a chicken wing to turn and pin Mikaela Stewart in the first period and senior Adalia Del Real (155) was ahead 15-2 before pinning Karsyn Austin from the top position in 2:15.

Senior Evie Wyatt (170) and freshman Ella Hay (190) both had wins by forfeit for the Eagles.

From left Shorten Aumua, Kobe Hughes, Colston Parks, Zac Bleess and Justin King of the Grain Valley wrestling team all won their matches in a 54-16 blowout of Belton in their Suburban White Conference opener. Photo credit: Michael Smith