By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Senior Michael Johnson hopes to repeat as Big 16 Conference heavyweight champion on Saturday when he and the Chieftains compete at Portage Central High School.
Johnson defeated Steve Anderson of Lakeshore last year to win the title, 4-0.
Lakeshore will be looking for yet another team title on Saturday.
Dowagiac senior Darr Phillips will be looking to add Big 16 champion to his resume. Phillips, the new all-time victory leader at Dowagiac, finished second last year, losing to Coldwater's Nick Longstreet in the 112-pound finals.
Also placing in the Top 4 last year was Kyle Bennett at 160-pounds. Bennett lost to Roger Lanier of Kalamazoo Central in the consolation finals to finish fourth.
Among the Lakeshore Lancers who will be looking for individual titles will be Kyle Hammermeister at 103, Justin Agens at 112, Chris Forrester at 119, Drew Welke at 125, Nathan Broehm at 130, Ryan Kolberg at 145, Matt Wittman at 152 and Andy Gebhard at 160.
Broehm finished third last year at 125.
Among the Niles wrestlers hoping to bring home a championship are Matt Poehlman at 103, where he finished fourth last year, Kyle Isabel at 140, Wyatt Hickey at 160, Josh Henry at 171 and James Edwards at 215.
St. Joseph's Matt Arend returns at 189 pounds. Arend finished second last year as he was decisioned by Joe Clark of Battle Creek Harper Creek in the finals.
Weight classes 145, 160 and 189 appear to be among the toughest in the tournament.
Competing in those classes for the Chieftains will be Jeromy Northop, Bennett and Jim Kehrer respectively.