By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - It was deja vu Thursday evening when Niles and Lakeshore met on the mat, just as they did one month ago.
Only this time, it wasn't for the No. 1 spot in the Big 16 West Division, it was for the team district title.
The Lancer's not only claimed the championship with a 26-24 win over Niles, but also ended the Vikes' season.
While Niles head coach Bob Galvin would have liked his team to go farther, he is not hanging is head. His Vikes had one of the best seasons in school history, ending with a school best 28-4 record.
Todd Scansen put Niles on the board first when he decisioned Jacob Skivers 5-3 to give the Vikes a 3-0 lead.
John Wregglesworth (145) and Derek Purcell (152) both fell in their matches, giving Lakeshore a 6-2 lead.
Ben Brandstatter was able to bring Niles back within one point of the lead, 6-5, when he decisioned Zach Kretchman, 4-0. However, Matt Wittmann pinned Niles' Jake Groves at 171-pounds to give the Lancers the 12-5 lead.
Alex Zanders (189) was decisioned by Lakeshore's Greg Wharton, 6-5, extending Lakeshore's lead to 15-5.
The heavyweights brought the Vikes right back into the match. Micah Barrett grabbed a big win for Niles at 215-pounds when he decisioned Joe Spear 11-5.
Chad Nichols then exploded on the mat and got the only pin of the night for the Vikes against Kyle Burke to cut the lead to one, 15-14.
Nate Allison (103) and Jake Glueckert (112) were the next two Vikes to pull in wins and give Niles a 21-15 win.
The last four matches of the night were very crucial for both teams as they would determine the winner.
Bryce Flannery was decisioned at 119 by Zach Meyers, 7-6. Kyle Hammermeister took a 17-2 win over Andy Karsten in the 125 weight class and Nate Heiermann fell to Alex Bolt, 7-3, at 130-pounds to put the Lancers back in control of the match, 26-21.
It all came down to the 135-pound match where Mason Stephenson and Tim Newman went head-to-head.
Knowing he had to get a pin for his team to be able to win, Stephenson gave it his all.
After three periods of intense action, Stephenson took the 10-8 win by decision. Unfortunately, the win only gave Niles three points and Lakeshore claimed the victory.
Niles loses only two seniors, Stephenson and Groves, from the line-up.
In the semifinals, Lakeshore defeated St. Joseph 46-22 and Niles eliminated Benton Harbor 76-3.
Championship match
NILES 24
LAKESHORE 26
103: Nate Allison (N) d. Nick Forrester (L) 4-1
112: Jake Glueckert (N) Mike Davis (L) 9-0
119: Zach Meyers (L) d. Bryce Flannery (N) 7-6
125: Kyle Hammermeister (L) d. Andrew Karsten (N) 17-2
130: Alex Bolt (L) d. Nate Heiermann (N) 7-3
135: Mason Stephenson (N) d. Tim Newman (L) 10-8
140: Todd Scansen (N) d. Jacob Skivers 5-3
145: Josh Jackson (L) d. John Wregglesworth (N) 7-6
152: Brad LaValley (L) d. Derek Purcell 4-0
160: Ben Brandstatter (N) d.Zach Kretchman (L) 4-0
171: Matt Wittmann (L) p. Jake Groves 1:52
189: Greg Wharton (L) d. Alex Zanders (N) 6-5
215: Micah Barrett (N) d. Joe Spear (L) 11-5
275: Chad Nichols (N) p. Kyle Burke (L) 3:02