Barton rallies for victory over Labette

With each team all square having two weight classes open, the No. 19 ranked Barton Community College Wrestling team rallied from behind for its second straight match of the Cougars Duals coming up on the top side of a 19-17 score to nationally receiving votes Labette Community College.

The Cardinals increased their lead to nine through two matches receiving Barton's forfeit of the 125 division before taking the 133 pound class with DeKhale McFarland knocking off No. 6 Caysen Smith 11-6.  Smith took a 6-1 lead into the second period but McFarland escaped the bottom position earning four points with a takedown and near fall to tie it up at six.  McFarland would keep Smith scoreless in the final period while earning points on a reversal, another near fall, and a bonus point for riding time.

Following both teams forfeiting the 141 division, Sean Taborsky and Cody Foos battled to a six point tie after the first three minutes of the 149.  Taborsky gained an edge in the second getting an escape and reversal with a warning point being awarded for a 10-6 lead to the third.  Foos cut the deficit in half with a reversal from the down position but Taborsky would own the rest of the period racking up eleven points for the 20-8 major decision drawing the Cougars to within five.

Danny Conley opened up a five point lead into the third against Christian Rivas before holding on for a 10-4 decision putting the Cardinals back up by eight.

Kendall Biddle began Barton's comeback earning a 4-1 win in the 165 getting a first period take down, a second period escape, and a point awarded for riding time.  David Kelly then received the Cardinals' second forfeit squaring the match on open weight classes and giving Barton a 13-12 scoreboard advantage.

The lead was short lived as Devon Baker took the mat against the nation's No. 5 ranked Tristan Ramberg.  The Maryland sophomore blitzed Baker to the tune of a 18-0 first period tech fall putting the Cardinals back in front 17-13.

With just two matches remaining, Ethan Dean and Kevin Easterwood matched wits in the 197 division with each only to score an escape from the bottom position before Dean's takedown in sudden death left the dual hinging on the 285 division matchup.  Taking a 3-0 first period lead, No. 8 Brix Brickey gave up a reverse to begin the third period but managed to orchestrate his own reversal to hold off Chance Schooler for a dramatic match clinching 6-3 victory.