Lowell’s wrestling team moved easily through its Division 2 regional Wednesday night with a 49-24 verdict in the regional semi final against Hastings and a 66-12 win the final against Eaton Rapids.
“We started  good in the first match and by the second match of the night, the boys were wrestling really well,” said Lowell wrestling coach, Dave Dean. “The Eaton Rapids match went quickly. Every time I turned around someone was being pinned.
Lowell won its third regional title in six years. The Red Arrows return to Battle Creek in 2011 following a heartbreaking Division 1 regional final loss to Rockford last year.
Twelve of the 14 matches between the Greyhounds and the Red Arrows were finished by way of pin. The two matches that were decided by decisions both went the way of Lowell.
Wade Schlosser, 171, defeated Blake Marsh 3-1 and Luke Stephens (HWT) won 4-2 against Jason Kibiloski. “Wade is wrestling with some confidence. Marsh was a district champion on Saturday,” Dean said.
Eaton Rapids reached the regional final with a 49-21 win over East Grand Rapids. Lowell grappled its way past a gritty Hastings club, 49-24.
From 103 to 140, the Red Arrows posted five pins.
Bailey Jack (103) pinned Randy Rowley in 1:17 of the first period.
Zack Jeffries (119) pinned Jacob Stewart in 1:25 of the first period.
Kalvin Meyer (125) pinned Dom Yenden in 4:46 of the third period.
Kanon Dean (135) pinned Zeke Thompson at :39 of the first period.
Gabe Morse (140) put Nick Yerden on his back in 5:44 of the third period.
Red Arrow Garrett White (112) lost in a first-period pin. Jake Stevens (130) was pinned at 2:11 of the second period.
Stevens, getting approval to return from a shoulder injury, won his match against Hastings and then got caught in a cradle before losing to his Eaton Rapids opponent. “Jake looked good and we’re happy to have him back,” Dean said.
From 145 through heavyweight Lowell was supreme, recording seven straight wins, five via the pin.
Andrew Morse (145) recorded his in 49 seconds.
Ben Fleet (152) bested that time by 21 seconds as he pinned Thomas Griffeth in 28 seconds.
Jake Stehley (160) ended his match in 2:42 with a pin.
Garret Stehley (189) and Gabe Dean (215) recorded pins in nearly identical times. Stehley came off the mat in 57 seconds and Dean finished up in 59 seconds.
While nothing was definite following Wednesday’s regional team title, Dean feels his Red Arrows will face either Stevensville-Lakeshore or Allegan in the Division 2 quarterfinals at Battle Creek on Friday (Feb. 25)  in Battle Creek at 7:45 p.m.. The Elite Eight pairings will be announced on www.mhsaa.com at 6 p.m. Sunday.
“It’s going to be a pretty tough first-round match-up. We’ve seen Lakeshore, and we’ll see Allegan individually Saturday at Hamilton in the individual regional,” Dean said. “Generally, I was pleased with the way we wrestled tonight. The boys have worked hard and are moving in the right direction.”