The penultimate match of Minot High's 49-17 handling of Williston was the antithesis of the West Region team dual.
When Demetreus Roby and Brandon Sandberg locked up at 220 pounds on Friday night at the Minot State University Dome, the touted grapplers went tit for tat in a crowd-pleasing session.
But Minot, which led 22-3 before running away from its Class A foe, saw top-ranked Roby clip second-ranked Sandberg 2-1 in overtime to add to an already sizable lead.
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Mike Kraft/MDN
Minot High School senior Jorey Bartsch, top, jockies for position against Williston’s Beau Bergeron during Thursday’s dual at the Minot State University Dome.
Other than that marquee match, Williston didn't inflict much damage in Minot's home opener.
"It's nice to see our younger kid start us off like that," Minot coach Nolan Spooner said of the early lead. "...As for Roby, that's how those kinds of matches go. (Roby) just showed a little more heart at the end and got it done."
Between Brody Armstrong's win at 106, a Williston forfeit at 113 and triumphs by Ethan Benham (120), Jesse Hoffart (132) and Gabe Nehlsen (138), the Magicians were in control early.
If not for the Coyotes' second-ranked Beau Bergeron's hard-earned decision over Jorey Bartsch at 126, it would have been an even bigger crevice for Williston.
"It's real tough to do anything when you spot your team that many points that early," Williston coach Chuck Rossol said. "At that point it doesn't matter how you match up the rest of the weights."
Bergeron, Paul Michaelson (160), Marcus Noeske (170) and Bret Sandberg (195) were Williston's only winners.
Minot came away with a bevvy of pins between Nehlsen, Cody Haugen (145) Dayne Haman (182) and Nick Nesdahl (285).
"Williston's obviously better than what the score indicated," Spooner said. "We just took advantage of the opportunities that were presented."
Minot (1-1) travels to the Jamestown tournament on Saturday.