ISHPEMING – Kingsford wrestlers concluded their regular season with a 10-9 record after splitting with Westwood and Negaunee last week.

The Flivvers defeated Westwood 35-33 before falling in a tough match to Negaunee 45-31.

Kingsford’s Elliot Johnson (215), Eddie Cardew (285), Josh Peterson (140) and Toby Wilcox (152) all went 2-0 on the day. The Flivvers were without some wrestlers due to illness.

Against Westwood, both squads bumped some guys around, and the Flivvers ended up winning some of the swing matches.

“Our leaders on the team all stepped up and got huge bonus points for us when it mattered,” KHS head coach Daren Groleau said.

Wilcox bumped up to 152 to take on Elliot Lemier and got the ball rolling for the Flivvers with a technical fall. Ben Stanish made 189 for the first time all season.

“I was a little disappointed they ran Jackson Vidlund from us at 189,” Groleau noted. “We feel like 189 will be Ben’s best shot at making a run to states.”

Trent Maki had a tough match again Luke Vidlund at 145 for Kingsford.

“It came down to his match and he needed to stay off his back for us to win and he was successful losing a close match 5-8,” Groleau said.

Against the Miners, the Flivvers’ lack of numbers hurt as they were forced to give up 30 points.

“We just can’t be giving up that many forfeits and compete against a team that has a full roster like Negaunee does,” Groleau said. “In the head to head matchups we did really well. But Negaunee wanted to get some revenge on us from earlier in the year and they got it. We’ll be seeing them again Wednesday. We take them on in the first round of team districts in Gladstone. It should be another great match that should come down to the wire.”

Kingsford faces Negaunee at Gladstone 5 p.m. (EST) in a MHSAA Division 2 district semifinal, with the winner moving on to face the winner of Gladstone and Menominee in the finals. District winner moves on to the regional on Wednesday, Feb. 19, with the site and time to be determined geographically by the MHSAA.