FORD FIELD BOUND: Wrestlers Heading To States

The MHSAA individual wrestling regional tournaments were held across the state on Saturday. The top four wrestlers in each weight class qualified for the state finals, which are being held for the first time ever this March at Detroit's Ford Field.

In Division Two, Escanaba's Hunter Larson (pictured) won his second straight regional championship. He won the 135-pound title by beat Flint Kearsley's Trenton DiGenova on a 4-1 decision in the championshup match.

Earlier, Larson beat Jayden Rittenbury of Fenton, 7-0, in the semifinals, and pinned Caleb White of Linden in the opening round.

Escanaba senior Scout Wunder also qualified for states by finishing second in the 160-pound weight class. He lost to James Penfold of Goodrich High School, 13-2, on a major decision, in the championship.

Wunder won a tight 6-5 decision over Nick Brewster of Grayling in the semifinal, and beat William Greer of Holly, on a 7-2 decision.

Marquette's 103-pounder, Joe Lagrou, qualified for states by finishing third.

In Division Three, Gladstone's Adam Bruce won the 130-pound regional championship with a tight 4-3 decision over Mitchel Christiansen of Essexville-Hampton. Bruce started the day by pinning Jonny Dubke of West Branch Ogemaw Heights. Then he beat John Bodkins of Caro, 5-0.

Bruce is undefeated heading to Ford Field with a 42-0 record.

Gladstone's 215-pounder, Jared Demeuse, made it to the regional championship match before losing to Billy Koepf of Remus Chippewa Hills on a 2-0 decision. Earlier, Demeuse pinned Colse Stinson of Midland Bullock Creek in the semifinals.

Gladstone's 103-pounder, Lane Matzke, also advanced to states, despite having to retire from Saturday's third place match due to injury.

And the Braves' Cole Hansen finished fourth in the 140-pound weight class and will also be at Ford Field.

In Division Four, Westwood High School's 112-pounder Nathan Brewer was the U.P.'s only regional champion. Newberry's 152-pounder, Cameron Symonds, made it to the regional championship match before being pinned. He will still head to Ford Field.

Munising 119-pounder Nick Miles qualified with a fourth place finish, and Newberry's Alex Henry qualified with a third place finish. At 171 pounds, Ishpeming's Alaric Martin also qualified fourth, and at 189 pounds, Westwood''s Sam Gilles qualified third.

At 215 pounds, Ishpeming's Andre Walsh qualified fourth. And in the heavyweight class, Gwinn's Daniel Johnson finished fourth to earn a trip to Detroit.

Bark River-Harris had 285-pounder Wyatt Massie, 140-pounder Tyler Racicot, 135-pounder Mason Ray, and 215-pounder Devin Racicot participate in Saturday's regionals. None of them finished in the top four of their weight classes.