Hillsdale and Reading wrestling teams fall in team district finals rounds
HILLSDALE COUNTY — Give any team an opportunity to win a championship, and they will accept the challenge. Both Hillsdale and Reading wrestling clubs earned that challenge on Wednesday night. The Rangers had a one-on-one matchup with Hudson for a district championship, and the Hornets had to battle their way to face Eaton Rapids in the team district title dual.
Hillsdale first faced Olivet in the district semifinals, earning a 58-24 dual victory. Oliver Heckel starting things off with a pinfall win in period two of his match in the 106-weight class. Luke Webster, Devon Carver, Colton Wolf and Ethan Wolf all earned void wins.
Kaden Sorrell (144) earned a pinfall win near the end of the second period of his match. Miles Brown earned a void win. The dual was finished with three straight wins from Stephen Petersen (190), John Petersen (215) and Wyatt Wahtola (285). Stephen Petersen earned a major decision win of 14-2. John Petersen earned a win via pinfall. Wahtola earned a pinfall win after just 23 seconds in his match.
The semifinal win earned the team a shot to compete for the district title against Eaton Rapids. It was a tough battle between the Hornets and Eaton Rapids, but Eaton Rapids would win the title in a points differential of 45-34. (Scores and duel results were not available for the finals at the writing of this article and will be updated online when published)
The Hornets and the wrestling coaching staff will get ready for what should be a successful day at individual districts this Saturday, Feb. 10. The Hornets will head up to Williamston High School in Ingham County to battle for district medals and the right to move on to the regional round. Wrestling starts around 8 a.m.
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Over in Hudson, the Rangers had just one wrestling dual in their way of a district title. The Hudson Tigers are one of the strongest teams this season in team districts after another successful season of LCAA wrestling.
The Rangers and Tigers battle started at 106 where Jaxton Kimling of Hudson won via a 9-1 major decision over Reid Westfall of Reading.
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The Tigers would then win via pinfall in the next seven consecutive duels. Chase Clark (113), Nicholas Sorrow (120), Owen Loop (126), Julien Kimling (132), Cole Marry (138), Coy Perry (144) and Austin Marry (150) all earned pinfalls for the Tigers. Tiger Bradley Bertram earned a void victory.
Connar Rudy (165) would get the Rangers on the board with a 7-4 decision win over Jacob Pickford. Lukas Strine (175) earned a pinfall win over Devon Brigman. Logan Ryan of Hudson received a void win at 190. Isaac Westfall (215) got the Rangers their last win of the night. Cameron Miller (285) would close the night with a pinfall win over Cayleb Wright of Reading.
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Hudson would win the district title with 64-15 points final.
The Rangers now move on to the individual district tournament. Ranger wrestlers will head to Dansville in Ingham County to wrestle for medals.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale and Reading wrestling teams fall in team district finals rounds
