Lowell’s wrestling team was represented in 11 of the 14 weight classes of the Division 2 Individual District championship round Saturday at Middleville.
Yet, 12 Red Arrows advanced to the regional. That’s because Gabe Dean and Garret Stehley working from opposite ends of the 189-pound bracket met up in the finals. They didn’t wrestle, as the freshman Stehley gave way to the junior.
“We had twelve wrestlers finish third or better,” noted Lowell wrestling coach Dave Dean. “All of our wrestlers wrestling in the consolation match, for third place, won.
Of the six district title matches Lowell wrestled in, it won four. They were:
- Gabe Dean (189) won via forfeit against Garret Stehley.
- Dan Fleet (152) won via injury default against Hastings’ Collin Ferguson.
- Andrew Morse (145) pinned Eaton Rapids’ James McCormick in :58.
- Gabe Morse (140) defeated Hastings’ Kenny Cross 21-6.
Gabe Morse, who missed nearly a month on the mat due to a fractured forearm, feeling better than ever was ready to push forward.
“It’s still a little sore, but not bad. I’m feeling better. I continue to get into better and better shape,” Morse said. “My goal is a state title.” The junior finished seventh in the state last year at 135 pounds.
Bailey Jack (103) and Kalvin Meyer (125) advanced to the championship match before losing. Meyer was pinned in 5:02 of the third period. Jack lost a 10-8 decision.
Winners of their consolation matches were:
- Luke Stephens (HWT) won 10-4 against Luke Smalley, Ionia.
- Zack Jeffries won 7-1 against Von Thang, Middleville.
- Kanon Dean won 3-1 against Brandon Piggott, Ionia.
- Jake Stehley won 3-2 against Tyler Walls, Middleville.
- Wade Schlosser won 7-0 against Dan Dykstra, Middleville.
“We wrestled well and we got some good draws,” Dean said. “In addition we had some wrestlers place.”
Lowell will host the team regional on Wednesday. The Red Arrows will wrestle Hastings at 6, with the winner taking on the winner of the Eaton Rapids/East Grand Rapids match.
