STEVENSVILLE — The march toward a third consecutive Division 2 state finals appearance for the Niles wrestling team got off to a strong start Wednesday.

The No. 3-ranked Vikings showed their depth in winning a fourth consecutive district championship.

Niles defeated long-time rival Lakeshore 54-11 in the semifinals and then totally dominated St. Joseph 70-11 in the championship match.

Niles (21-3) won 24 out of 28 matches, including 12 of them using reserves. The Vikings also recorded pins in 11 matches.

“We were able to get some kids in there and give them some experience,” Niles coach Todd Hesson said. “And the backups who were seniors had the opportunity to get out there. It doesn’t happen often, but it was nice to give them some matches. It also allowed us to rest some guys and prevent injuries to the lineup. In the past we would have forfeited out, but it was nice to get the others in there.”

Niles also had two wrestlers pick up their 100th career victories in the process.

Josh Dayhuff defeated Tony Williams of Lakeshore 9-4 to earn his 100th win, while Warren Smith received a forfeit for his 100th victory.

“That was nice,” Hesson said. “It was well deserved for both kids.”

The Vikings now set their sights on a third straight regional championship when they take on Parma-West in the semifinal at Gull Lake High School at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Coldwater will face Vicksburg in the other semifinal.

 

Division 2 Team District

At Stevensville

Championship Match

NILES 70, ST. JOSEPH 11

103: Andrew Flick (N) p. Austin Lieberg :38; 112: Cade Stephenson (N) won by forfeit; 119: Josh Dayhuff (N) p. Trey Cuellar 5:25; 125: Reese Gardner (N) won by forfeit; 130: Jacob Kelly (S) Jacob Kelly (S) p. Robert Glover 4:52; 135: Warren Smith (N) won by forfeit; 140: Davin Simpson (N) p. Mahze Elkhozai 5:19; 145: Chris Ahlgrim (N) m.d. over Caleb McIntosh 13-4; 152: Connor Myers (S) t.f. over Devonte Gaskill 17-2; 160: Adam Cole (N) won by forfeit; 171: Dayton Smith (N) p. Sukabir Singh 1:31; 189: Cody Thornton (N) p. Nathan Griesbaum 1:40; 215: Braulio Sosa (N) won by forfeit; 285: Carter Rausch (N) p. Kory McLaughlin 1:53.

 

Semifinal

NILES 54, LAKESHORE 11

103: Andrew Flick (N) p. Ian Beshears 1:00; 112: Austin Franco (L) t.f. over Cade Stephenson 17-2; 119: Josh Dayhuff (N) d. Tony Williams 9-4; 125: Brenden Hall (N) p. Stormy Priebe 1:15; 130: Mitch Findeisen (N) p. Kearri Myrick 1:40; 135: Warren Smith (N) p. Cody Carlisle 2:40; 140: Noah Hanau (L) won by forfeit; 145: Chris Ahlgrim (N) d. Matt Miller 3-2; 152: Devonte Gaskill (N) p. Corey Hampton 3:02; 160: Adam Cole (N) d. Aaron Spear 3-0; 171: Sean Craig (N) won by forfeit; 189: Wyatt Thornton (N) d. Tyler Hill 9-3; 215: Ted Jackowiak (N) d. Isaac Weir 3-2; 285: Alex Bata (N) d. Bryce Robinson 11-4