By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Buchanan varsity wrestling team has had a thriller of a season so far.
The Bucks, now 27-4 overall, claimed the district title last week for the first time in 15 years and on Wednesday evening in Otsego, Buchanan won the regional championship for the first time since 1972.
The No. 8 Bucks blew by No. 5 ranked South Haven, 43-27.
Earlier this season, the Rams handed Buchanan a 43-21 loss at the Niles Invitational.
Justin Brown got things rolling at 215-pounds when he pinned South Haven's Paul Miller at the 3:26 mark.
The Rams were able to tie the match at six, but a pin from David Knisley at 103 against Cory Secard put the Bucks back in the lead for good.
The Bucks were able to grab four additional pins from Todd Taylor (112), Travis Reith (130), Auston Ferris (152) and Ryan Harrington (171).
Winning by decision were Tony Taylor (119) and Nick Wheetley (125).
In the semifinals, Buchanan grabbed an easy win over Maple Valley, 58-17.
The Bucks will now travel to the state quarterfinals on March 3 at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek where they will face the winner of the Allendale regionals.
On Saturday, Buchanan will send eight wrestlers, Todd Taylor (112), Tony Taylor (119), Wheetley (125), Reith (130), Medlin (145), Ferris (152), Jim Connors (189 and A.J. Long (160) to Delton-Kellogg.
Regional finals
Buchanan…43
South Haven…27
103 - David Knisely (B) p. Cory Secard, 1:43
112 - Todd Taylor (B) p. Adam Bastow, 5:43
119 - Tony Taylor (B) d. Bryan Bastow, 8-3
125 - Nick Wheetley (B) d. J.D. Kozlik, 15-2
130 - Travis Reith (B) p. Chris Monacelli, 3:28
135 - Andress Alcauter (SH) p. Drew Medlin, 3:17.
140 - Ruben Zuniga (SH) d. Bryant Miller, 8-3
145 - Michael Jackson (SH) d. David Medlin, 9-2
152 - Auston Ferris (B) p. David Hirsch, 2:24
160 - Drakkar Klose (SH) d. A.J. Long, 31-14
171 - Ryan Harrington (B) p. Neil Jordan, 1:40
189 - Celic Bell d. Jim Connors, 19-7.
215 - Justin Brown (B) p. Paul Miller, 3:26;
275 - David Harding (SH) p. Phil Metz, 1:13