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Lowell’s title run ends in semi final

Lowell’s match-up with the number one wrestling team in Division 2, and arguably in all of Michigan, was a huge challenge that required some juggling of the lineup, which the Red Arrows did. And it also required winning the close matches, there were five of them, which Lowell did not.

“We went after them and did what we had to do and they came out on top. They wrestled better today,” said Lowell wrestling coach Dave Dean. “Credit to them, they handled the adjustments.”

The result was 48-10 loss to St. Johns. The Redwings went on to defeat Greenville in the championship match, 52-18 to win their second consecutive Division 2 state title.

“Our kids wrestled well and so tough against Lowell. We got everything we needed from them,” said St. Johns coach Zane Ballard. “We knew Lowell would be tough. They line up good against us. We were able to win those swing matches. The ones you have to win to have chance.

The two most notable and significant lineup changes was Dean’s juggling of Andrew Morse and Dan Fleet. Morse was moved from 145 to 152 and Fleet wrestled at 145. Fleet lost in overtime 4-2 to Travis Curly and Morse was on the short end of a 7-6 decision to Jordan Wohlfert.

“Danny and Andrew wrestled their tails off  but just lost both matches.  We knew they would be tough matches. Those kids they were wrestling are very good,” Dean explained.

Wins at 145 and 152 started a stretch that saw St. Johns win six of seven matches against the strength of Lowell’s order. Many of the matches were just as tight. Wade Schlosser (171) lost a 4-2 decision to Mike Schafer.  Garett Stehley (215) fell in a 6-5 decision to Conrado Dominguez. That was followed by Luke Stephens 4-2 defeat at the hands of Taylor Pemberton.

“It was a huge challenge. We needed to win the close ones and just didn’t get that done today,” Dean said.

St. Johns dominated the lower weights (103-130), posting two pins, two technical falls and a decision.

Lowell’s wins were recorded by Gabe Morse (140). He major decisoned Payne Hayden 11-3. Gabe Dean (189) made quick work out of Adam Young in recording a pin in seven seconds of the first period.

” They are a very talented team. They have a lot of talented guys. They deserved to win,” Gabe Dean said.

Lowell finishes the team portion of its season at 25-7. The Red Arrows will have 10 wrestlers compete at the state individual tournament this weekend at the Palace.

“It was a heck of a season. The kids accomplished a lot and improved a lot. They gave us everything they had,” Dave Dean concluded.

#1 St. Johns (31-0) 48, #4 Lowell (25-7) 10

MATCH RESULTS

130 6 0 Josh Pennell (SJ) Fall Jake Stephens (L), 1:34

135 9 0 Rory Bender (SJ) Dec Kanon Dean (L), 7-2

140 9 4 Gabe Morse (L) Maj Dec Payne Hayden (SJ), 11-3

145 12 4 Travis Curley (SJ) Dec Dan Fleet (L), 4-2 (TB)

152 15 4 Jordan Wohlfert (SJ) Dec Andrew Morse (L), 7-6

160 20 4 Taylor Massa (SJ) Tech Fall Jake Stehley (L), 18-3 4:14

171 23 4 Mike Schafer (SJ) Dec Wade Schlosser (L), 4-2

189 23 10 Gabe Dean (L) Fall Adam Young (SJ), :07

215 26 10 Conrado Dominguez (SJ) Dec Garett Stehley (L), 6-5

285 29 10 Taylor Pemberton (SJ) Dec Luke Stephens (L), 4-2

103 34 10 Zac Hall (SJ) Tech Fall Bailey Jack (L), 24-9 5:50

112 40 10 Jacob Schmitt (SJ) Fall Scott VanOosten (L), :57

119 45 10 Brant Schafer (SJ) Tech Fall Kalvin Meyer (L), 16-1 3:59

125 48 10 Cameron Bender (SJ) Dec Zack Jeffries (L), 10-3