Wildcats learn from dual

The Wildcats lost just two of eight duals to finish fourth in the Diamond State Duals over the weekend, but coach Eric Nolan said his team learned plenty from the eight duals.

Har-Ber lost a tight 36-33 dual to Nixa, Mo., which ultimately won the 16-team event. Nolan’s team lost 34-24 in the third-place match to Carthage, Mo., on Saturday, but he saw improvements.

“I felt like we learned lessons from the loss to Nixa,” Nolan said. “Even though we lost to Carthage, I saw kids staying in matches. They were trying to not get pinned, which ultimately was a big factor against Nixa. I think we showed a lot of toughness.”

Nolan said since Arkansas has a Dual State tournament, it’s important to learn different lessons from an individual tournament.

“Missouri doesn’t have a dual state where I was previously and it’s nice to have those ways to learn lessons, too. All in all, it was a good measuring stick for where we’re at.”

Senior Ben Fears along with teammates Trevor Davis and Max Salinas all enjoyed big weekends. Fears and Davis both went unbeaten and Salinas lost just once.

“Ben did well, he was kinda dinged up previously with a knee issue before Christmas,” Nolan said. “We didn’t take risks with him. Trevor as a little sick and we weren’t sure if we would use him or not. But he stepped up and scored and played a big part in a couple of those wins.

“Max showed a lot of toughness, lost just one to a ranked kid out of Missouri. Jackson Nichols lost one, but came back and had a little fire, a little edge to him.”