Chiefs taken to task by state-ranked Richmond

Capac’s Aaron Smith worked to stay out from under an opponent. Photo by LISA PAINE CAPAC — It had to happen sooner or later—the BWAC battle between Capac and state-ranked Richmond — and last Wednesday was the day as the Blue Devils showed the Chiefs why they are among the best in the state, winning in convincing style, 51-18. Capac, 6-1 BWAC, 35-6 overall, also scored a 70-6 win over Mayville.

Against Richmond, Capac’s points came by way of voids to Thomas Bolday, Chris Bly and Pat White. In the win over Mayville, the Chiefs recorded eight pins, including Ed Niemi at 171 lbs., where he needed just 0:12 to beat David DeMott.

Nick Helzer, Matthew Schuman, Gideon Gaiter, Brandon Schalm, Brian Kulman, Derek Gottschalk and Bolday all had pins for the winners. Aaron Smith scored a 12- 3 major decision over Mayville’s Andrew Dumka and Bly scored a hard-fought 16-11 win over Cody Bryson in the 215 lb. division.

Mayville’s only points in the match came on a pin by Aaron Moody at 135 lbs. over Capac’s Dan Cornish.

IMLAY CITY

The Spartans dominated Algonac in BWAC action last Wednesday, rolling to a 55-15 win. Leading the way for Imlay City was 135 lb. stand-out Sam Lyscas, who carries his perfect record of 48-0 into the post season. Lyscas pinned his opponent in 3:59, one of seven pins for the Spartans. Other pins came from Josh Scillian, RJ See, Ray Murawski, Kyle Guerrero, Jake Scillian and Nelson Pena. Nick Nivison won a major decision, while Zack Greenwald and Matt Myers both won by decision.

LAPEER WEST

The Panthers edged Marlette, 39-36, and shut out Vassar, 60-0, last Wednesday. Vassar voided all but three matches and those three were won by West grapplers by pins. Dean Somers pinned his 112 lb. opponent in 2:20, Kyle Wymore pinned his foe at 125 lbs. in 1:50, and Cameron Drugich pinned his 140 lb. rival in 1:38.

When Marlette battled West, the entire series was close. West's Adam Nichols pinned Ronnie Nobel in 1:39 and Somers won on an 11-5 decision over Travis Noble, before Dakota Carie at 119 lost to Marlette's Matt Mata, and Wymore lost to Travis Webster. Alex McEvoy was pinned at 130 lbs. by Marlette's Marcus Noble and Trevor Smith was pinned in 1:36 at 135 lbs. by Robert Fingerle. Drugich pinned Marlette's Stuart Endres at 140, Beauallen Arms was pinned by Marlette's Bokree Bennett in 3:05 at 145, and Zane Schubert lost by injury default against Marlette's Tyler Steinkopf at 152. Kyle Bannister won by pin at 1:22 agaisnt London Jockhane, while JT Harris lost by pin in 3:12 against Marlette's Mike Wells. West picked up the final three wins by pin wtih Tom Koreleski ata 189 lbs. taking out Caleb Kararas, Nick Durst pinned Alex Haden in :51 at 215 and Aaron Seacrest pinned Conner Collins at the heavyweight position in 2:14.

MARLETTE

Marlette continues to gear up for the post season and flexed its muscles at the eightteam Frankenmuth tournament on Jan. 30, walking away with a first-place trophy. The Red Raiders won all five matches, including the title bout where they defeated the Swan

Valley “B” team to earn the championship.

Marlette beat the host Eagles, 48-28, behind six pins before crushing Vassar, 65-12. In another romp, Marlette destroyed Flint Powers, 75-6, with just three matches being wrestled. Marlette won the rest of the weight classes on voids. The Red Raiders went on to earn a 51-26 decision over Sterling-Standish on the strength of six more pins and then in the championship round, Marlette won, 48- 33.

Three Marlette wrestlers finished the day with perfect 5-0 records, including Matt Mata at 112 lbs., Travis Noble at 119 lbs. and Robert Fingerle, with four pins, at 135 lbs. Ronnie Noble, Bokree Bennett, Tyler Steinkopf, Justin Shaver and Conner Collins all compiled 4-1 marks.

MAYVILLE

The Wildcats dropped a 42-36 decision to Lanse Creuse North last Thursday in a hard-fought non-conference match that came down to the very end. Aaron Moody, at 135 lbs., continued his strong performance for Mayville, earning an 8-2 decision. Moody, 33-9 on the year, has been on a roll as of late, winning 20 of his last 22 matches. Maxx Lieber, who has compiled a 28-12 mark, won a 11-5 bout at 140 lbs. and Cody Bryson, 27-10 overall, won by pin at 215 lbs., stopping the clock in 3:47. The Wildcats won four other bouts on voids.

“We are still missing four starters,” explained coach Mark Cooper. “Hopefully by this weekend we can be back together.”

NORTH BRANCH

The Broncos competed in their TVC crossover last Wednesday defeating Carrollton, 58-22, and Alma, 58-24.

“We easily cruised past Carrollton so we got some backups into the lineup,” said coach Dan Ranger. “Against Alma, we jumped out to a 34-0 lead, but Alma fought back to 40-24, then Jacob Luke started a string of three pins to win going away.”

Going undefeated on the nights were Mike Laakso, Ryan Garza, Kyle Garza, Uriah Horton, Brandon Urchick, Lawrence Abbey, Cody Hunt and Ian McNulty.

“The boys are getting better each week and I am hoping we are peaking at the right time. We will see.”