By By NICHOLAS KOVACH / Niles Daily Star
GALIEN -- There weren't many surprises when Brandywine and Bangor locked up for the first round of the Division 4 Team Regional wrestling tournament Wednesday night.
The contest featured some of the area's toughest competitors that led to an exciting night of wrestling. Each weight division showed heart and endurance as there were only two wins by pin the entire evening.
In the end, seventh-ranked Bangor snuck into the championship match with a 31-27 win over Brandywine. The Vikings then went on to beat Watervliet 48-23 to earn the regional title.
Seven Bobcats will take part in Saturday's Individual Regional Tournament at Bronson High School. The top four wrestlers in each weight class of that tournament advance to the state finals, which will be held March 11-13 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Bangor registered both pins in the semifinal match. At 125 pounds, Bangor's Rahim Hodge stuck Jeff Bridges in 2:57. At 215 pounds, Bangor's Levon Mock pinned Brian Echevarria in 2:34.
Hodge's pin gave Bangor a 25-21 lead and the Vikings won the next two matches to clinch the victory.
Brandywine finished the season with a record of 15-7.
Bangor improved to 32-6 and will take part in the quarterfinals in Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena on Friday, March 5.