By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Niles' varsity wrestling squad opened its season Thursday evening in Vicksburg with two huge wins and a big accomplishment to go with it.
Bob Galvin, who enters his seventh year as head coach for Niles, reached his 400th win when his Vikes took a 73-3 win over Vicksburg.
Niles also defeated Mattawan, 55-10, to start the season with a 2-0 record and give Galvin his 401st win.
Galvin is one of the only coaches in the state of Michigan to get more than 100 wins at three different schools.
Before Niles, Galvin coached at Brandywine for eight years and Grand Rapids West Catholic for 14 years, posting a total record of 401-132-2 in 29 years.
But before Galvin decides to throw in the towel, he has to get through this season and one more.
Last night, his squad, who only lost five seniors last year, made it a point to start the season right.
The Vikes had a total of 20 pins on the night.
Winning two matches were Nate Allison, who pinned both of his defenders in the 103 pound weight class.
Jake Glueckert also won by two pins in the first period in the 112 weight class.
Andy Karsten won by a pin and a decision in the 125 class and Nate Heiermann grabbed two pins for victories in the 130 pound class.
Mason Stephenson and Todd Scansen both earned wins in the 135 and 140 weight classes respectively.
John Wregglesworth won by pin in his two matches at 145 and Ben Brandstatter won by pin and decision at 152.
Jake Groves, Alex Zanders and Chad Nichols also all won both of their matches at 171, 189 and 275.
Niles will host the Viking Invitational on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. See related story for more information.
Niles…73
Vicksburg…3
103 – Nate Allison (N) p. Mike Vander Bosch, .48
112 – Jake Glueckert (N) p. Tyler Connors, .12
119 – Ross Cousins (V) d. Bryce Flannery, 6-4
125 – Andy Karsten (N) p. Hayden Carr, :30
130 – Nate Heiermann (N) p. Eric Hetrick, 1:49
135 – Mason Stephenson (n) p. Klint Baughman, 1:27
140 – Todd Scansen (N) p. Nick Lint, 1:00
145 – John Wregglesworth (N) p. Alex Rose, 1:30
152 – Ben Brandstatter (N) p. Ross Becker, 3:02
160 – Dan Lawson (n) p. Ben Hetrick, 3:29
171 – Jake Groves (N) d. Brandon Laure, 12-2
189 – Alex Zanders (N) d. Jim Myers, 10-6
215 – Micah Barrett (n) p. Richard Magill, 5:54
275 – Chad Nichols (N) wins by forfeit
Niles…55
Mattawan…10
103 – Nate Allison (N) p. Colin hopper, 1:30
112 – Jake Glueckert (N) p. Bontgrager, 1:15
119 – Tumac (M) d. Bryce Flannery, 8-5
125 – Andy Karsten (N) d. Richard Conner, 10-1
130 – Nate Heiermann (N) p. Shane Baker, :43
135 – Mason Stephenson (N) d. travis Tullis, 20-3
140 – Todd Scansen (N) d. Nick brazeau, 12-2
145 – John Wregglesworth (N) p. Troy Masc, :40
152 – Ben Brandstatter (N) d. Ben Bedeck, 5-3
160 – Jordan Hall (M) d. Dan Lawson, 17-4
171 – Jake Groves (N) d. Nick Ballord, 7-6
189 – Alex Zanders (N) p. Ian McCaffrey, :59
215 – Justin Kahl (M) d. Micah Barrett, 6-2
275 – Chad Nichols (N) p. Kyle Perk, 1:39