Kingsford varsity grappler Josh Peterson (right) sets himself before resuming action during a wrestling match in January at Kingsford High School. Peterson (175) is one of three Flivvers preparing to make the trip to Ford Field in Detroit for the MHSAA individual state finals on March 3-4. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News file photo)

KINGSFORD — After another hectic season, the Kingsford wrestling team has the weekend off.

Of course, they probably would rather be traveling and competing. But, as a team, the Flivvers fell short of earning a trip to the MHSAA team finals in Kalamazoo that started on Friday.

Still, a trio of Flivvers are using the time to work and prepare for the Division 3 individual state finals at Ford Field in Detroit on March 3-4.

Elizin Rouse (215), Noah Johnson (215) and Josh Peterson (175) all qualified to advance, with Rouse taking first in his weight class at the MHSAA’s 9-3 Regional tournament in Grayling last Saturday, while Johnson and Peterson both battled their way to third-place honors in their respective weight classes.

“Eli just kept the momentum from the previous weekend to this weekend,” Kingsford coach Darren Groleau said afterwards. “Just good smart wrestling and not putting himself into any bad positions.

“He’s very strong, but he’s become smart and patient out on the mat now,” Groleau added. “He’s becoming a more complete wrestler which makes him scary.”

Rouse will be competing with, and maybe against, a fellow Flivver in Johnson, who finished 3-1 at Grayling.

“Noah had a great day going 3-1 with 3 pins,” Groleau said. “We knew Noah could make it down to Ford Field, but he had to battle hard and that’s what he absolutely did. He’s been soaking everything in from us as a coaching staff and it’s been fun watching him and Eli practice together. They both push each other in the wrestling room.”

If either Kingsford wrestler wants to know what the state tournament is like, they only have to turn to Peters, who is now a two-time state qualifier.

Groleau said the senior grappler has battled injuries throughout the 2022-23 season, but that hasn’t stopped Peterson from achieving one of his preseason goals.

“He set a goal out to become a state qualifier at the beginning of the season and we accomplished that feat,” Groleau said. “That was probably one of the more emotional wins for us (last Saturday). We know, as a coaching staff, what he’s been battling, even during one of his matches he dug deep to qualify. We are so proud of Josh and it will be great to see him finish his outstanding high school career down at Ford Field.”

The Kingsford trio nearly had some company for their trip south, too. Tegan Ray (15-8) finished his freshman campaign just a win away from qualifying at 120 pounds.

“He made some great strides this season and has something to build towards going into next season,” his coach said.

Two other Flivvers — Reed Degroot (132 pounds, 24-15) and Izayah Reed (157 pounds, 16-20) — also gained valuable experience, Groleau said, by advancing to regionals.

“Izayah has had his best two weeks of wrestling these past two weekends,” Groleau added. “His only losses were to state qualifiers and they were both close matches. He impressed a lot of people with how he wrestled.”