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Damian Calhoun. Sports Newsroom Assistant.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 24, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

DANA POINT – Sammy Plumb proved that hard work does pay off.

The junior survived a couple of hair-raising moments in his 220-pound match Tuesday, eventually pulling out the victory by fall for sixth-ranked Dana Hills.

His victory tied the dual against eighth-ranked San Clemente, and Dana Hills received a forfeit at heavyweight to put the finishing touches on a 36-30 home victory for the Dolphins in the South Coast League dual.

The victory was the first for the Dolphins over the Tritons in 11 years.

“He got me on my back and I’ve worked too hard for this,” Plumb said. “I’ve worked months, cutting weight, working at the gym and I’m so glad it paid off.”

Plumb trailed, 2-1, entering the second period. He gave up a reversal and was on his back before he managed to roll through and ended up getting the victory by fall.

“I held him so hard, and I could hear the floor shaking from the crowd screaming,” he said. “I held it until I heard the smack (of the referee’s hand on the mat) and that was the pin.”

With the Tritons’ forfeit looming in the final match, Plumb knew he needed to avoid a loss for the Dolphins to have a chance to pull off the victory.

“Seriously, I thought it was over,” Dana Hills coach Reza Abedi said of Plumb’s match. “That match was all heart. He wrestled with his heart and he didn’t give up.

“He knew we needed (him) to win, so that gave him a boost. He’s a tough kid. He got caught and pulled himself out. It was amazing.”

The match started at 106 pounds and the Dolphins quickly built a 24-3 lead, winning five of the first six matches.

The Tritons won the next six matches, including four by bonus points, to take a 30-24 lead after 195 pounds, setting things up for Plumb at 220 pounds.

“We knew that if we start at 106, we would be able to score a lot of points,” Abedi said. “Some of the matches could have gone either way. (Mike) Marshall’s match (at 182) was big because we only gave up a major decision.

“We knew we were tough. We knew they were tough. It was a matter of who shows up and wants it more.”

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com