The Michigan High School Athletic Association wrestling state tournaments are fast approaching, but some duals and invites are still on the docket before then.
Here is a roundup of West Michigan Conference wrestling reported to CatchMark on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, along with a heads-up about a couple of big invites this Saturday:
WHITEHALL
At Grant, Division 2 second-ranked Whitehall remained unbeaten in duals with a 68-3 victory over the host Tigers Wednesday. The Vikings are 17-0 on the season.
Nolan Taranko (103), Braedon Bond (119), Caden Varela (125), Riley Buys (130), Ryan Goodrich (135), Max Brown (145), Alec Pruett (152), Wyatt Jenkins (160), Nick Blanchard (171), Bradyn VanPatten (189), Shane Cook (215) and Ira Jenkins (285) all recorded wins for the Vikings.
On Saturday, Whitehall will host the Rick Champion Invitational beginning at 9 a.m. Whitehall, Reeths-Puffer, Byron Center, Caledonia and Belding will be in one pool of the dual-format tournament, while Hudsonville, Allendale, Howard City Tri County, Comstock Park and Otsego will be in the other pool.
MONTAGUE
At Kent City, Montague split a pair of nonleague matches on Wednesday. The Wildcats defeated Central Montcalm, 60-12, and lost to the host Eagles, 46-32.
Montague wrestlers who went 2-0 on the night include Chris Aebig (125), Landon Askins (130), Cale Coppess (135), Tristan Winkleblack (140) and Michael Moore (152).
On Saturday, Montague hosts the Randy Jacobs Memorial Duals beginning at 9 a.m. Competing schools include Alma, Cadillac, Fruitport, Hamilton, Montague, Orchard View and West Ottawa.
MASON COUNTY CENTRAL
At Mason County Central, the host Spartans enjoyed senior night festivities with big wins over Holton (52-18) and Ludington (48-24) on Wednesday.
Jacob Maidens (125), Carter Hirschfeld (140), Raiden Keefer (189) and Andrew Quinn (285) made the most of their respective senior nights by going 2-0 and winning their matches by fall. “I was happy that all the boys got matches and then that they all finished with pins is a big deal,” MCC coach Kendel Trim said.
Also going 2-0 on the day for the Spartans were Hunter Sanford (112), Zane McCabe (130) and Colter Kirchner (135).
RAVENNA
At Ravenna, the host Bulldogs swept a pair of duals against Muskegon Catholic Central and Oakridge on Wednesday. The ’Dogs and MCC tied at 36, but the host team won on a tiebreaker. In the other match, Ravenna defeated Oakridge, 54-6.
Ravenna wrestlers going 2-0 on the day were Norman Slade (119), Caden Marsman (135), Zeke Thompson (160), Juan Castillo (189), Brenden Forsythe (215) and Landen Goerbig (285).
