By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Dowagiac's Jeromy Northrop and Cassopolis' Justin Tucker both placed in the top five at the Michigan High School Athletic Associasion Lower Peninsula Wrestling State Finals on Saturday.
The state finals were held at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Northrop (53-4) finished fifth at 145-pounds in Division 3, while Tucker (49-5) finished third at 135-pounds in Division 4.
Division 3
Northrop reached the quarter finals before falling into the consolation bracket.
Northrop defeated Jordan Young of Remus Chippewa Hills in the opening round with an 8-4 decision.
In the quarterfianals, Northrop was pinned by Montrose's John Fulger in 3:45. Fulger went on to finish second.
In the his first consolation match, Northrop pinned Jeff Bancroft of Grayling in 2:33. In the consolation quarterfinals, Nothrop decisioned Kyle Banard of Perry, 9-3.
Adam Rowe of Dundee edged Northrop 4-3 in the consolation semifinals to advance. Rowe ended up finishing third.
In the match for fifth and sixth place, Northrop won by default over Mike Maczynski of Harrison.
Division 4
Tucker reached the semifinals before being knocked into the consolation bracket.
Tucker defeated Matt Elston of Addision in the first round, 8-6, before edging Todd Barton of St. Louis in the quarterfinals, 2-1.
In the semifinals, Tucker was defeated by Josh Burtch of Whittemore-Prescott, who was the eventual state champion, 9-3.
In the consolation quarterfinals, Tucker defeated Elston again, 17-5.
In the consolation finals, Tucker defeated Travis Ferry of Bronson, 10-3.
Division 3
Finals
Weight: 145
Kyle Barnard Perry Dec Ben Boss Vermontville Maple Valley, 11-6
Jeromy Northrop Dowagiac Def Mike Maczynski Harrison
Adam Rowe Dundee Dec Jeremy Ashley Coloma, 15-4
Brandon Putman Caro Dec John Fulger Montrose, 4-2
Division 4
Finals
Weight: 135
Mike Stein Three Oaks-River Valley Dec Donovan Cantu Farwell, 10-0
Matt Elston Addison Dec Todd Barton St. Louis, 5-2
Justin Tucker Cassopolis Dec Travis Ferry Bronson, 10-3
Josh Burtch Whittemore-Prescott Dec A.J. Love Springport, 3-1