MHSAA wrestling: Dowagiac’s Ben Luth wins opening match

Published 10:34 am Friday, March 5, 2010

Dowagiac's Ben Luth defeated Richmond's Pat Baruth 4-2 in his opening match of the state high school wrestling finals. (The Daily News/Ron Harner)

Dowagiac's Ben Luth defeated Richmond's Pat Baruth 4-2 in his opening match of the state high school wrestling finals. (The Daily News/Ron Harner)

From staff reports

AUBURN HILLS – Only four area wrestlers picked up opening day victories at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Individual Wrestling Finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Thursday.

All four wrestlers competed in Division 3.

Dowagiac’s Ben Luth edged Pat Baruth of Richmond 4-2 at 130 pounds, while Buchanan’s Adam Byrdak (152), Gage Hutchison (160) and Mack Green (215) were all victorious.

Byrdak defeated Jaden Sella of Fremont 4-1. Hutchison pinned Justin Johnson of Williamston in 4:35 and Green defeated Nick Lowe of Napoleon 8-2.

Also in Division 3, Buchanan’s Taylor Glavin (103) was pinned in his opening round match by Isaac Jewell in 2:48.

Mike Kempton (112) of Edwardsburg was defeated by Dustin Pitcel of Richmond 10-4, while Buchanan’s Jeff Mucha (130) was pinned by Darius Wass of Saginaw Swan Valley in 1:22.

Edwardsburg’s Terry Brasfield was pinned by Roger Wildmo of Durand in 1:14 at 140 pounds. Teammate Devin Bywaters was defeated by Remus Chippewa Hills’ Clayton Strong 9-5 at 189-pounds.

In Division 2, Niles’ Colin Burandt was defeated by Victor Vettese of Auburn Hills Avondale 12-5 in his opening match at 130 pounds.

Brandywine’s Ralph Sater may have not only lost his first match in Division 4, but sustained a season-ending injury in the process.

Sater was edged by Chuck Edwards of Iron Mountain in their 135-pound bout 9-7.
In the process, Sater suffered a shoulder injury.

Also in Division 4, the Bobcats’ Chanc Ravish was defeated by Henry McKeown of Olivet 12-9.

Wrestling continued this morning with the opening round of consolation. The championship semifinals are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Wrestling will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with the finals slated to get under way at 4:45 p.m.

MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals
At The Palace of Auburn Hills

Division 3
130
Ben Luth (Dowagiac) d. Pat Baruth (Richmond) 4-2

Darius Wass (Saginaw Swan Valley) p. Jeff Mucha (Buchanan) 1:22

140
Roger Wildmo (Durand) p. Terry Brasfield (Edwardsburg) 1:14

152
Adam Byrdak (Buchanan) d. Jaden Sella (Fremont) 4-1

160
Gage Hutchison (Buchanan) p. Justin Johnson (Williamston) 4:35

189
Clayton Strong (Remus Chippewa Hills) d. Devin Bywaters (Edwardsburg) 9-5

215
Mack Green (Buchanan) d. Nick Lowe (Napoleon) 8-2

Division 4
125

Henry McKeown (Olivet) d. Chanc Ravish (Brandywine) 12-9

135

Chuck Edwards (Iron Mountain) d. Ralph Sater (Brandywine) 9-7