CLAREMORE — The Donnie Morgan Memorial Dual Tournament is never about glamour. It’s about surviving a long day, firing off when the whistle blows, and stacking points however they’re earned. Mannford did exactly that on Dec. 19, piecing together wins across the lineup through a mix of contested bouts and forfeits.
Mannford finished sixth, landing squarely in the middle of a deep and diverse field that blended Oklahoma mainstays with out-of-state muscle. Carl Albert claimed the team title, followed by host Claremore in second and Chicago (St. Patrick), Illinois, in third, with Inola and Grove rounding out the top five. The Pirates slotted in just behind that group, ahead of Verdigris, Chanute (Kansas), Oologah, and Logan-Rogersville (Missouri), a placement that reflected both the grind of the format and Mannford’s ability to stay competitive across the lineup against a wide range of programs.
At 106 pounds, Peyton Sims was a constant presence for the Pirates. Sims picked up multiple victories throughout the day, including a 3–0 pin in 1:04 against Chanute and another pin in 1:39 over Inola. Several of Sims’ other wins came by forfeit, but when opponents did step on the mat, he finished decisively and quickly, setting the tone in the lightest weight class.
At 113, Colten Sims delivered some of Mannford’s most complete performances of the tournament. Sims earned an 8–4 decision over his Grove opponent, followed by a 6–1 win against a Verdigris grappler, showing control and patience in full-length matches. He later added a 3–0 pin in 1:09 against Oologah, combining mat management with finishing ability as the day wore on.
Axle Passmore competed at 120 pounds, contributing team points primarily through forfeits as the duals progressed. While those wins don’t draw cheers, they mattering points accumulation.
At 126, Ty Clark provided one of the day’s quickest momentum swings for Mannford, recording a pin in just 43 seconds against his Oologah opponent. The fast finish briefly energized the Pirates’ bench and underscored the value of capitalizing when the opportunity presents itself.
As the lineup moved into the middle and upper weights, Mannford kept stacking points behind a core group that refused to let the day drift. Chance Krumrey provided key finishes, recording pins against wrestlers from Claremore and Inola, while Boston Sconyers was relentless, turning multiple bouts into quick falls against Verdigris, Claremore, and Oologah. Jesse Gall mixed control with power, earning pins over Inola and adding a major decision against an Oologah opponent, while Terry Dougherty closed the door late with pins against Claremore and Verdigris. Combined with several forfeits that favored the Pirates as lineups thinned, Mannford’s upper weights became a steady source of separation rather than survival.While the tournament didn’t hinge on a single marquee bout, it highlighted something equally important for Mannford: depth. The Pirates showed they could collect points in different ways — quick pins, methodical decisions, and simply being available when others weren’t.
The Donnie Morgan Memorial rarely reveals final answers in December. What it does reveal is whether a lineup can endure a long day without fading. Mannford did just that, leaving with mat time, match wins, and the quiet confidence that comes from handling the grind — one bout at a time.