Joplin North Middle School beat McDonald County, 60-48, in the finals of the Joplin Junior High Wrestling Tournament on Saturday at Joplin North Middle School to deny the Mustangs a repeat championship.
Picking up wins for McDonald County were Levi Smith, Blaine Ortiz, Fisher Sanny, Jared Mora, Billy Laughard, Junior Eliam and Levi Neale.
McDonald County opened the tournament with a 78-18 win over Joplin South.
Those winning matches for McDonald County included Cross Spencer, Smith, Ortiz, Jarek Jordan and Laughard to go with eight forfeit wins.
The Mustangs followed with an 80-28 win over Joplin East.
McDonald County was led by wins from Smith, Cody Dumond, Ortiz, Sanny, Mora, Malick Taylor, Weston Gordon and Brandon Armstrong.
Winning matches in McDonald County's 63-40 win over Frontenac, Kan., included Spencer, Smith, Ortiz, Sanny, Mora, Gordon, Laughard, Eliam and Neale.
In the Mustangs' final match other than the finals, McDonald County defeated Cassville, 74-27.
Those winning matches for the Mustangs included Jacob Owens, Spencer, Smith, Ortiz, Sanny, Brayden Burt, Mora, Taylor, Jordan, Armstrong, Dylan Shay and Laughard.
On Nov. 13, McDonald County beat Webb City and Joplin North at home to remain perfect in duals on the season. But on Nov. 14 at Neosho, McDonald County suffered its first dual loss of the season to the Wildcats before beating Joplin South.
The Mustangs rebounded on Nov. 16 with wins over Joplin East, Joplin South and Monett at Joplin South Middle School.
McDonald County's next match is set for Nov. 30 against Carthage and Carl Junction at home before the Mustangs end their season at the Seneca Junior High Wrestling Tournament on Dec. 2.
Sports on 11/23/2017