By By ADAM FISHER / Dowagiac Daily News
When Thursday's Big 16's team championship came down to Niles and Lakeshore, it was no surprise to Vikings' head coach Bob Galvin.
Much like the meeting between the two schools Dec. 16, it was a close, hard fought battle that came down to the final weight class. Unfortunately for Niles, the result of the conference final was the same.
When Lakeshore's Drew Welke pinned Niles' Todd Scansen at 140 pounds, the Lancers escaped Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena with a 32-28 victory and its third straight SMAC championship.
Dowagiac finished fourth in the tournament, but head coach John Greene would argue they should have been third. The Chieftains lost 34-32 to Kalamazoo Central in the third place match after leading 32-15.
For Niles, falling in the championship was the latest in a long string of losses to Lakeshore. In the earlier meet this season, the Vikings lost 36-35 after leading 35-30 heading into the final match. Niles hasn't beaten the Lancers since 1971.
The losses have been particularly hard to take lately. Five of Lakeshore's past six victories over Niles have been by four points or fewer.
Niles cruised to the final match by dominating its first three opponents. The Vikings beat Portage Northern 62-12 in the first round, followed by a 60-19 triumph over Portage Central in the second. In the semifinals, Niles defeated Dowagiac 57-15.
The Chieftains advanced to the semis by beating Mattawan 51-21 in the first round and then beating Battle Creek Lakeview 41-33.
Dowagiac lost in the third place match despite winning eight of the 14 weight classes. Greene said the difference against Kalamazoo Central was the inexperience of his four freshmen.
Greene said he didn't have a freshman win a match in any of the four Dowagiac wrestled.
Galvin said he was disappointed to lose such a close contest to Lakeshore again, but gave credit to the Lancers and head coach Brad Bittenbender, who won the 601st meet of his career by beating Niles. Bittenbender is currently sixth in the nation among high school coaches in number of victories.
In the semifinals, Niles senior Matt Poehlman earned the 100th victory of his career winning against Dowagiac at 130 pounds. Poehlman won his 101st match and remained undefeated this season by beating Lakeshore's Mike Davis in the finals.
Before the conference meet, Galvin said his team was out to gain respect. He said many people doubted the Vikings after graduating eight seniors from last year. While Niles proved their strength with their second place finish, they also gained the admiration from at least one opposing coach.
SMAC Duals
Championship round
Lakeshore….32
Niles………….28
103 - Brad Barker (L) d. Jake Glueckart, 4-3. 112 - Kyle Hammermeister (L) d. Bryce Flannery, 12-2. 119 - Matt Poehlman (N) p. Mike Davis, 2:48. 125 - Justin Ajeans (L) won by forfeit. 130 - Mason Stephenson (N) d. Alex Bolt, 8-2. 135 - Rodney Lenneway (N) p. Josh Jackson, 1:42. 140 - Drew Welke (L) p. Todd Scansen, 2:49. 145 - Ben Brandstatter (N) d. Eric Shirley, 17-8. 152 - Bob Cinninger (N) d. Brad Levalley, 5-2. 160 - Andy Gebhard (L) p. Dan Lawson, 2:52. 171 - Jake Groves (N) d. Ryan Middleton, 7-5. 189 - Matt Whitman (L) d. Josh Henry, 4-3. 215 - Joel Ealy (N) d. Tyler Blosser, 4-2. 275 - Kyle Berks (L) d. Chad Nichols, 16-7.