Marion wrestlers fourth at Burlington

The Marion wrestling team opened the season with a fourth-place finish at the Burlington Duals Friday.

“I thought the whole dual tournament went very well,” coach Tyler McMichael said. “We had some guys pick up big wins when we needed them and several matches go the whole length, and the guys didn’t give up.”

Four Warriors won all of their matches to pave the way. Ezra Darnall (126 pounds), Jarrett Johnson (132), Noah Albin (152) and Charlie Nordquist (182) each went 5-0. Darnall, Johnson and Albin each benefitted from one forfeit. Nordquist had two forfeits.

After going 3-1 in pool play, the Warriors lost to Washburn Rural, 42-39, in the third-place match.

Seven Warriors gained victories over Washburn Rural, including six by fall: Ethan Darnall over Lauren Meier at 120 pounds, Ezra Darnall over Blake Abram (126), Johnson over Cashton Taggart (132), Bryce Shults over Dominic Holthaus (138), Albin over Shawn Marquis (152) and Tyler Palic over Adrian Martinez (195). Charlie Nordquist won an 11-4 decision over Caden Cress (182).

Meanwhile, Brock Mitchell (145) and Jarrett McLinden (285) lost to their opponents by fall.

Marion forfeited matches in five weight classes: 106, 113, 160, 170 and 220.

In pool play results, Marion opened competition by defeating Eureka, 52-24. All 24 of Eureka’s points came via forfeit. Six Warriors won by fall: Ethan Darnall, Ezra Darnall, Shults, Mitchell, Albin and McLinden. Johnson won a 17-9 major decision. Nordquist and Palic won via forfeit.

Marion then defeated Royal Valley, 42-18. Only four Warriors wrestled matches, with Ezra Darnall and Noah Albin recording wins by fall. Ethan Darnall lost a 7-4 decision, while Palic lost an 8-7 decision.

The Warriors lost to Blue Valley Southwest, 42-31. Five Warriors earned victories on the mat, including Ezra Darnall, Charlie Nordquist and Tyler Palic via fall, Johnson by 7-3 decision, and Albin by 16-6 major decision. McLinden won via forfeit.

Ethan Darnall, Shults and Mitchell lost by fall.

Marion concluded pool play by defeating Garden Plain, 48-18. Six Warriors pinned their opponents: Ethan Darnall, Johnson, Shults, Nordquist, Palic and McLinden. Ezra Darnall and Noah Albin won via forfeit, while Mitchell lost by fall.

“The team as a whole did extremely well,” McMichael said. “I was very proud of their effort and results.  Unfortunately, we were very undermanned, giving up five out of 14 weight classes, and that caused us to give up quite a few points. The team did an excellent job of making those up to keep us close in the duals.”

Coming—Marion will compete at the Hesston Invitational Saturday. Matches are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

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