By Staff
Niles not only won the Brandywine Wrestling Invitational on Saturday, but took home bragging rights with a 39-20 win over the host Bobcats in the final round of competition.
The Vikings, now 22-3, went undefeated Saturday to claim the tournament title. Bangor went 4-1 to finish second and Brandywine finished 3-2 for third place.
Brandywine took an early lead in the city rivalry match when Matt Koller beat George Nelson 8-6 at 135 pounds to earn the Bobcats three points.
The tide turned quickly, however, as Kyle isabel pinned Robert Thompson at 140 pounds to give Niles a 6-3 lead.
Adam Ringler's major decision over Rodney Leneway at 145 pounds gave Brandywine a lead it held until the 189-pound match where Jarrod Collins beat Andy Daus 3-1 to push the Vikings ahead 15-13.
Niles never trailed again, winning five of the remaining seven matches to seal the victory.
Five Vikings went undefeated on the day while Brandywine had four wrestlers with perfect records Saturday. Niles' Matt Poehlman (112), Mason Stephenson (125), Isabel (140), Josh Henry (171) and James Edwards (215) all went undefeated as did Brandywine's John Farrell (119), Koller (135), Ringler (145) and Evan Smith (152).
Ringler and Smith each picked up their 100th career victories Saturday.
Niles returns to action Thursday at home against Dowagiac in a key Big 16 West Division match at 7 p.m.
Brandywine's next action is Wednesday night at Cassopolis in a Lakeland Conference showdown at 6 p.m.
Niles……………39
Brandywine….20
103: Jake Glueckert (N) pinned Ryan Horner :32; 112: Matt Poehlman (N) beat Mike Morrison 9-6; 119: John Farrell (B) beat Derek Purcell 18-4 (major decision); 125: Mason Stephenson (N) pinned Jeff Bridges :55; 130: Charles Nelson (N) beat Casey Grisham 2-1; 135: Matt Koller (B) beat George Nelson 8-6; 140: Kyle Isabel (N) pinned Robert Thompson 4:52; 145: Adam Ringler (B) beat Rodney Leneway 10-2 (major decision); 152: Evan Smith (B) pinned Robert Cinninger 4:46; 160: Josh Coffman (N) beat Billy Syrette 8-6; 171: Josh Henry (N) beat Bryan Daniel 10-8; 189: Jarrod Collins (N) beat Andy Daus 3-1; 215: James Edwards (N) pinned Brian Echevarria 5:53; 275: Josh Johns (B) beat Dustin Sullivan 3-2