6 Flivvers qualify for regionals
(Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photos) Kingsford freshman wrestler Izayah Reed tries to break free from the grip of his Lake City opponent during his “blood round” match at the MHSAA District 17-3 tournament in Grayling on Saturday. Reed rallied to win the match with a pin and advance to the medal round.
While Saturday’s district tournament was about individual honors, senior Toby Wilcox yells out in support of Reed, while flanked by teammates Wyatt Westman and Elizin Rouse.
Kingsford varsity grappler Matthew Wilson, at left, battles Ogemaw Height’s Jake Morrison in a 285-pound match Saturday in Grayling. After losing his first match of the day, teammates helped rally Wilson, who then beat Morrison in an 8-4 decision and later earned a third-place medal.
(Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photos) Kingsford freshman wrestler Izayah Reed tries to break free from the grip of his Lake City opponent during his “blood round” match at the MHSAA District 17-3 tournament in Grayling on Saturday. Reed rallied to win the match with a pin and advance to the medal round.
While Saturday’s district tournament was about individual honors, senior Toby Wilcox yells out in support of Reed, while flanked by teammates Wyatt Westman and Elizin Rouse.
Kingsford varsity grappler Matthew Wilson, at left, battles Ogemaw Height’s Jake Morrison in a 285-pound match Saturday in Grayling. After losing his first match of the day, teammates helped rally Wilson, who then beat Morrison in an 8-4 decision and later earned a third-place medal.
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GRAYLING -- The 2021-22 season for a half-dozen Kingsford varsity wrestlers will continue after they fought to advance to the regional tournament by placing in the top four in their respective weight classes at the MHSAA District 17-3 tournament in Grayling on Saturday.
The Flivvers didn't have a champion on Saturday, but Kingsford grapplers did earn three second-place, two third-place and a fourth-place medals.
As he has all season, senior Toby Wilcox (28-3) led the way for the Flivvers with a second-place finish at 145 pounds. He was topped in the title round by Xander Kartes of Ogemaw Heights, losing a 9-7 decision.
"He was a little disappointed," said Kingsford coach Darren Groleau. "He had visions of being a district champion. … He sets high expectations.
"But we're focusing on the next goal of being a state qualifier."
Flivvers Josh Peterson (33-6) and Elizin Rouse (24-6) also wrestled their way to second-place medals at 171 and 189, respectively.
Wyatt Westman (17-11) and Matthew Wilson (29-9) earned third-place medals at 103 and 285, while Izayah Reed (23-17) took fourth overall at 152.
Groleau said Reed might have provided the surprise of the day for the Flivvers, with the freshman rallying to pin his Lake City opponent in the second period to earn him another shot at the medal round.
"He looked at us (during the match)," Groleau said. "He was like, 'I got this. I got this guy pinned.'
"Everyone was hyped," the coach added. "That, to me, was the confidence booster he could build on to keep things going."
Overall, Groleau said he was very pleased with his team's performance.
"Really successful weekend," Groleau said. "We sent nine wrestlers down. We can back with six regional qualifiers. That's pretty darn good for us.
"It was a great tournament and a good experience," he added.
The Flivvers should know the way to the regional meet on Saturday, with the event again being hosted by Grayling.
Dennis Mansfield can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 244, or at dmansfield@ironmountaindailynews.com.