By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac Chieftain Wrestling Invitational returned with a new format and a bang on Saturday.
Mattawan edged Kalamazoo Central and the host Chieftains to capture the team title at Dowagiac Middle School.
The Wildcats, Giants and Chieftains all had 12 wrestlers in the finals. So the formula was simple. The team who came away with the most victories would win the championship.
Mattawan took a five-point lead into the final round and came away with four champions, three runners-up, two third place finishers and two fourth place finishers.
The result was a seven-point win over Kalamazoo Central. Mattawan finished with 204 points, while the Giants had 197 points and Dowagiac 195 points. Decatur finished with 170 points, while White Pigeon and Lakeshore's B team finished with 112 and 74 points respectively.
Kalamazoo Central ended up with four champions, three runners-up, four third place finishers and a fourth place finisher.
The Chieftains wound up with three individual champions, three runners-up, two third place finishers and four fourth place finishers.
Winning individual championships for the Chieftains were Richie Hutchinson at 135-pounds, Mike McNeil at 145-pounds and Nate Behnke at 189-pounds.
Hutchinson edged Alex Ematinger of Kalamazoo Central, 7-6. McNeil decisioned Ramon Espinoza of Mattawan, 4-2, while Behnke pinned Cory Mardsen of Kalamazoo Central in 4:24.
Finishing second for Dowagiac were Bobby Price at 119-pounds, Deshaun Baylor at 152-pounds and Drew Staley at 215-pounds. Taking third were Nathan Cottrell at 112-pounds and D.J. Tartt at 145-pounds.
Finishing fourth were Andrew Roden (103), Justin Richter (125), Zach Roden (135) and Terry Prowoznik (160).
"Not a bad day," Dowagiac coach John Green said. "I continue to be encouraged by my wrestlers. It would have been nice to see us score 10 more points, but that didn't happen. We are going to work to continue to get better."
Green also wanted to thank all those who helped Dowagiac hold the tournament on Saturday. He thanked all the workers and the parents who helped make the tournament a success.
Dowagiac is back in action on Wednesday when it opens up the Wolverine Conference portion of its schedule at Allegan.
Dowagiac will face South Haven in its first match and then take on the Division 2 state runner-up Tigers. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Chieftain Wrestling Invitational
Team Scores
Mattawan 204, Kalamazoo Central 197, Dowagiac 195, Decatur 170, White Pigeon 112, Lakeshore "B" 74
Championship Finals
103: John Fisher (KC) d. Bret Glaske (LS), 10-0
112: Sean Tomac (M) d. Colin Stivers (KC), 17-5
119: Sam Stivers (KC) d. Bobby Price (DO), 8-0
125: Adam Ibbotson (WP) p. Aaron Marner (D), 1:28
130: Elliot Lampson (M) p. Erich Studemann (M), :28
135: Richard Hutchinson (DO) d. Alex Ematinger (KC), 7-6
140: John Burns (D) p. Nicholas Brazeau (M), :42
145: Mike McNeil (DO) d. Ramon Espinoza (M), 4-2
152: Jordan Hall (M) p. Deshaun Baylock (DO), 2:40
160: Ben Bedeck (M) d. Jeremy Reingardt (WP), 7-2
171: Matt Johnson (D) d. Nickolas Ballard (M), 5-1
189: Nate Behnke (DO) p. Cory Marsden (KC), 4:24
215: Max Pohl (KC) d. Drew Staley (DO), 6-4
275: Jordan Rasmusen (D) p. Terrell Travier (KC), :28
Consolation Finals
103: DJ Harris (D) p. Andrew Roden (DO), 4:38
112: N. Cottrell (DO) p. Cameron Serba (D), 4:40
119: C.J. Nix (D) p. Matt Canen (WP), :58
125: Anthony Barbariono (LS) d. Justin Richter (DO), 5-1
130: Ameer Al-Gharib (KC) p. John Kocsis (D), 1:30
135 Richard Canner (M) d. Zach Roden (DO), 5-1
140: Mike Cridole (WP) d. Wade Balenger (KC), 16-9
145: D.J. Tartt (D) p. Deigo Gasca (D), 4:32
152: Travis Everitt (KC) d. Lome Rendell (M), 12-9
160: Cameron Kelly (KC) d. Terry Prowoznik (DO), 14-8
171: Robert Hall (D) p. John Polsy (WP), 1:11
189: Jakob Berzins (M) p. Jordon Morris (WP), 3:03
215: A.J. Travier (KC) p. Trevor Noonan (LS), 5:38
285: Mike Middaugh (WP) p. Christopher Munn (M), 2:37