Wrestling: City district champs lead group of area grapplers advancing to regionals
BATTLE CREEK — An impressive group of city and area grapplers advanced out of the district round in the Michigan High School Athletic Association individual wrestling tournament, held at sites throughout the state on Saturday.
Division 1
Lakeview and Battle Creek Central each had one wrestler advance to regionals out of this individual district tournament at Jackson.
Lakeview's Dayveon Rupert finished as district champ at 150 pounds, earning an 11-3 major decision over Xander Coumeya of Bridgman in the finals. Rupert is now 49-2 on the season.
Battle Creek Central's Angelo Williams took third at 175 pounds with a pin in the consolation finals.
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Division 2
Harper Creek had a big day at the Division 2 district at Stevensville-Lakeshore with seven regional qualifiers, including two district champs.
The Beavers' Ricky Johnson and Devon Garcia both took first place in their division. Johnson won at 285 with a 9-7 win over Pennfield's Dane Harper in the finals. Garcia goes to 43-1 on the season after getting a 20-4 win by technical fall in the finals at 113 pounds over Thomas Fall of Jackson Northwest.
Also qualifying for regionals for Harper Creek were Landon Walter (175) and Israel Waite (138), each taking third place, with Jackson Pennock (126), Camren Brock (106) and Josh Roe (150) finishing fourth.
From the area, Marshall's Harland Begg (215) advanced with a third-place finish as Nick Ryan (285) was fourth.
Pennfield's lone qualifier was Harper (285), taking second.
Coldwater had a district champ in Tre Miller at 157.
In a Division 2 district in Lowell, Gull Lake had four wrestlers advance. The Blue Devils' Garrie Mann was a district champ at 215 and Rasler Warner took first at 126. Also qualifying for Gull Lake were Camden Miller (144) taking second and Carter Skinner (175) in third.
Division 3
Olivet had four wrestlers advance to regionals out of this individual district at Williamston.
Olivet had a single district champ in Tyler Schofield (165). Also advancing were Ben Kelenske (190) in third, Van Wirtz (138) in third, and Landon Bartley (157) in third.
Division 4
The state-ranked Climax-Scotts/Martin team competed at a Division 4 district at Schoolcraft, seeing 10 wrestlers advance to the regionals.
District champs for Climax-Scotts/Martin included Logan Gilbert (106) and Haylen Buell (132). Also qualifying were Sam Bleeker (215), Max Bleeker (285), Kristian Heighton (113), Cole Reitz (120), Logan Curry (126), Seth Toris (138), Jack Bagwell (144), Malcolm Smith (165).
A handful of area teams competed in a Division 4 district at Bronson.
Host Bronson had nine wrestlers advance, including weight division champs Jacob Britten (190), Gabriel Erwin (150), Owen Kimmons (126), and Carton Norton (175). Also moving on for the Vikings were Kestin Goodman (215), Logan Long (126), Collin York (144), Layne Knisely (157), and Mason Lindsey (165).
District champs for Union City included Mitchell Graham (113), Blayne Crance (106), Landyn Crance (138), Logan Mears (132), Aidan Taylor (144) and Maddox Miller (165). Also advancing for the Chargers were Alex Boyer (132), Kelub Miller (138), and Montana Connell (150).
Advancing for Homer were Hunter DePew (285), Alexander Miller (150), Addison Easter (157), Jacob Fisher (165).
Qualifying for Maple Valley was Jackson Burpee (190).
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Wrestling Roundup: Handful of city grapplers earn district titles
