City champs, 100-win wrestler highlights BC Central's Evans-McGinnis Invitational
BATTLE CREEK — With 19 teams coming into town, including some of the power wrestling programs in the state, to join all the city teams and several area squads, it was one of the visitors that took home the big prize at the end of the day.
But there was a lot for local grappling fans to see and celebrate as well during the annual Bill Evans-Jeff McGinnis Battle Creek Central Memorial Wrestling Invitational at Battle Creek Central High School on Saturday. That would include some individual heroics by some area wrestlers, a milestone victory by one of the hometown athletes and the crowning of a city champ.
Bill Evans-Jeff McGinnis Memorial Wrestling Tournament Champ
Rochester Adams finished first overall with a team total of 172.5, to hold off second-place Grandville at 170.5. The field included Westland John Glenn, ranked in the top 10 in Division 1, as well as Bronson and Union City, both ranked in the top 10 in Division 4.
Locally, Bronson finished fourth, Harper Creek was sixth and Union City was seventh.
The annual event traditionally brings out some of the top teams in the state, in honor of two Battle Creek wrestling icons associated with Battle Creek Central wrestling — Bill Evans and Jeff McGinnis.
Harper Creek wrestling coach Dave Studer, who has been on high school mats coaching for more than 50 years in Battle Creek, appreciates the meaning of the event.
"This is a nice tournament. A lot of good teams. A lot of teams we don't see during the year, so that's good for our kids. And it's good for our kids to wrestling well here. "Studer said. "I knew both of those guys — Coach McGinnis and Bill Evans — it's a nice tournament to honor those guys."
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Individual Champs
The city and area teams were well represented on the awards podium throughout the day.
There were two division champions from the city teams. Harper Creek's Devan Garcia was first place at 113 pounds and Lakeview's Dayveon Rupert was first at 150.
In the area, Layne Knisely took first for Bronson at 157 with Viking teammates Mason Lindsey winning at 165 and Jacob Britten crowned the champion at 190.
Harper Creek led the city in top eight finishes, led by Garcia's first-place result. Also medaling for the Beavers were Camren Brock (106) taking fourth, Brock Hibbs (120) in seventh, Jackson Pennock (126) in fifth, Israel Waite (138) in third, Josh Roe (150) in sixth, Landon Walter (175) in fifth, Ricky Johnson (285) in third and Carson Daugherty (285) in eighth.
Battle Creek Central was led by Angelo Williams, who made the championship finals at 175 and took second. Also placing for the Bearcats were Terrell Haddley (132) in fifth, Noah Nichols (157) in fourth and Cory Wells (190) in seventh.
Following Lakeview's championship effort by Rupert, the Spartan placers included Jacob Kellems (132) in sixth.
Pennfield's top finishes included Kaden Thomas (106) in eighth and Braylin Swank (120) in fifth.
Top four performances from area teams apart from the group of Bronson champions, included the Vikings' Gabriel Erwin (150) taking second, Alex Boyer (132) of Union City in third, Landyn Crance (138) of Union City in second as well as the Chargers' Aidan Taylor (144) in fourth, Montana Connell (150) in fourth and Maddox Miller (165) in third, as well as Marshall's Harland Begg (215) in third.
100-Win Club
A highlight of the day included Battle Creek Central's Williams, who earned his 100th career victory for the Bearcats. Williams came into the day two away from the milestone and, after a bye in the first round, took care of business after his first two times on the mat on Saturday.
His brother Kaijehl Williams earned his 100th win before he graduated a year ago at BCC.
"As a coach, this is just my second 100-win wrestler. To have him do it and his brother, that's cool. To have guys do it in successive years was great. Those guys came through our program, came through the middle school and shows the progress of our program," BCC coach Liam Knapp said. "Really excited for 'Lo to get his 100th."
City Champs
An event local wrestling fans also look forward to every year is the annual All-City Wrestling Tournament. That event was postponed a few weeks ago due to weather. After efforts were made to reschedule it, a decision was made that it would not be possible this season.
The city coaches came up with a solution to still crown a city champ as all four teams were at the Bill Evans-Mike McGinnis Memorial Tournament on Saturday. The team with the highest team score would also be named the City Champ for 2023-24.
Harper Creek earned that honor by placing ahead of Battle Creek Central, Lakeview and Pennfield on Saturday.
"I think we knew were going to win the All-City tournament anyway, because we had already wrestled against Lakeview in a dual and we beat Pennfield and we had faced a lot of the Battle Creek Central guys in tournaments," Studer said. "It's just too bad we couldn't get it done on the mat. But it was good to do something about it here today.
"It's important to us to be city champs. It's a nice title for us and the kids were looking forward to winning that today."
As for naming individual All-City champs by weight class, as is done every year at the tournament, there is no decision yet on how that will be determined. However, it might come down to records and head-to-head matches throughout the season or a vote by the city coaches.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: BCC's Evans-McGinnis wrestling tournament champions and results
