Area wrestlers advance to regionals

Tri-County hosted the Lakes 8 Activities Conference wrestling tournament on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Spring Lake won the tournament and Fremont placed second, followed by Grant in third place. Tri-County was fourth, Orchard View was fifth, Fruitport was sixth, Newaygo was seventh and Ludington placed eighth.

Fremont’s individual champions include Mike Dunbar (112 lbs.), Brad Jones (119 lbs.), Jordan Graham (125 lbs.), and Tim Carpenter (140 lbs.). Mike Stout (145 lbs.) and Dan Zeldenrust (152 lbs.) placed second. Third place medalists include Hunter Blake (130 lbs.), Reuben Schwartz (135 lbs.), Jace Kamphorst (171 lbs.), Tyler Gotts (215 lbs.), and Kyle Sams (285 lbs.). Nathan Sprague (103 lbs.) and Byron Hobbs (189 lbs.) placed fourth.

Grant’s two individual champions are Kevin Atwood (152 lbs.) and Juan Enriquez (215 lbs.). Garrett Carr (125 lbs.) and Alex Majeske (171 lbs.) placed second, while Mike Pearo (145 lbs.) and Jake Garza (189 lbs.) placed third, and Guy Gregory (140 lbs.) placed fourth.

From Newaygo, Austin Dingledine (119 lbs.) placed third, while Miles Ashcroft (145 lbs.) and Joe Ball (152 lbs.) placed fourth.

Tri-County’s champions include Bryan Birdsell (135 lbs.) and David Johnson (160 lbs.). Teammates Ryan Hojnacki (140 lbs.) and Rick Urban (152 lbs.) placed third, while Justin McKenna (125 lbs.) and C.J. Blanchard (171 lbs.) placed fourth.

Team Districts

Tri-County hosted Lakeviw, Central Montcalm and Grant for team districts on Thursday, Feb. 14.

In the first round, Tri-County faced Central Montcalm, winning the match 42-24. Wrestlers who won their matches include Justin Gray (112 lbs.), Bryan Birdsell (135 lbs.), Rich Urban (152 lbs.), Coty Taylor (160 lbs.), David Johnson (189 lbs.), Marcus Dekker (215 lbs.), and Josh Gorby (285 lbs.).

Lakeview defeated Grant by 56-24. Reed Isenhart (103 lbs.), Derk Bradley (119 lbs.), Mike Newton (135 lbs.) and Juan Enriquez (215 lbs.) all scored for Grant.

In the finals round, Tri-County faced Lakeview, falling 52-24. Wrestlers who scored for Tri-County include Justin Gray (119 lbs.), Ryan Hojnacki (135 lbs.), Bryan Birdsell (140 lbs.), and David Johnson (189 lbs.). Lakeview will now advance to regionals.

Hesperia wrestlers claimed their 13th straight district title in Montague on Wednesday night, Feb. 13. The Panthers rolled through their opponents, defeating Holton in the semifinals 65-9. Hesperia beat Montague 72-3 to advance to team regionals in Kent City on Wednesday, Feb. 20.

Wrestlers who won both matches of the night include Collin Zeerip (103 lbs.), Jordan Bosma (112 lbs.), Jon Hren (119 lbs.), Jordan Bates (125 lbs.), Derek Sibley (130 lbs.), Malcolm Martin (135 lbs.), Adam Wiseman (140 lbs.), Brandon Zeerip (145 lbs.), Mike Hamilton (152 lbs.), Dan Yates (160 lbs.), Jake Whelan (171 lbs.), Andy Murphy (215 lbs.) and Rudy Spaulding (285 lbs.).

Newaygo and Fremont wrestlers travelled to Whitehall on Thursday, Feb. 14. Whitehall won the title, defeating Newaygo in the semi-finals 75-3.

In the finals, Fremont fell to the hosts in a close match 40-26. Wrestlers who scored for the Packers include Mike Dunbar (112 lbs.), Brad Jones (119 lbs.), Jordan Graham (125 lbs.), Tim Carpenter (135 lbs.), Mike Stout (145 lbs.), and Byron Hobbs (215 lbs.).

Individual Districts

Hesperia wrestlers travelled to Holton for districts on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Holton advanced six wrestlers to regional competition, with one champion, Kevin Davis at 130 lbs. Wrestlers who placed third include Thomas Neff (125 lbs.), Zack Wiegand (145 lbs.), Steven Erickson (160 lbs.), and John Chalko (189 lbs.), while Avery Coon (119 lbs.) placed fourth.

Hesperia had eight champions, with four other wrestlers placing to advance to regionals.

Hesperia’s district champions include Collin Zeerip (103 lbs.), Jordan Bosma (112 lbs.), Jon Hren (119 lbs.), Jordan Bates (125 lbs.), Malcolm Martin (135 lbs.), Brandon Zeerip (145 lbs.), Dan Yates (160 lbs.), and Rudy Spaulding (285 lbs.).

Adam Wiseman (140 lbs.) and Jake Whelan (171 lbs.) placed second, while Mike Hamilton (145 lbs.) and Andy Murphy (189 lbs.) placed fourth.

Fremont, Newaygo, Grant and Tri-County travelled to Benzie Central for districts. Fremont advanced six wrestlers to regionals, while Newaygo and Tri-County advanced one apiece.

Fremont’s champions include Mike Dunbar (112 lbs.) and Tim Carpenter (135 lbs.). Brad Jones (112 lbs.) finished in second place, and Hunter Blake (119 lbs.) placed third. Mike

Stout (145 lbs.) and Kyle Sams (285 lbs.) both placed fourth.

Newaygo’s Austin Dingledine placed fourth at 112 lbs. and Tri-County’s David Johnson placed third at 160 lbs.).