By Staff
BATTLE CREEK – The Niles varsity wrestling team went 5-0 at the Kellogg Center Arena to capture the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference Wrestling Tournament championship on Saturday.
The Vikings became the first team other than Lakeshore to win the team championship in the six-year history of the tournament.
Niles defeated the Lancers 27-18 in the championship match.
The Vikings also defeated Battle Creek Central (61-6), Sturgis (60-12), Portage Northern (40-23) and Mattawan (40-25).
The Vikes will travel to the Berrien County Invitational on Saturday.
SMAC Wrestling Tournament
Round 1
Niles 61, Battle Creek Central 6
Lakeshore 68, Coldwater 0
Kalamazoo Central 59, Lakeview 13
Jackson Lumen Christi 37, Portage Central 35
St. Joseph 84, Benton Harbor 0
Mattawan 66, Marshall 8
Harper Creek 78, Loy Norrix 0
Portage Northern 44, Sturgis 30
Round 2
Niles 60, Sturgis 12
Lakeshore 52, Lumen Christi 19
K-Central 72, Benton Harbor 12
Coldwater 45, Portage Central 24
St. Joe 71, Lakeview 6
Mattawan 78, Loy Norrix 6
Harper Creek 62, Marshall 15
Portage Northern 55, BCC 24
Round 3
Niles 40, Portage Northern 23
Lakeshore 73, Portage Central 3
K-Central 50, St. Joe 16
Lumen Christi 45, Coldwater 31
Lakeview 60, Benton Harbor 18
Mattawan 35, Harper Creek 34
Marshall 54, Loy Norrix 12
BCC 45, Sturgis 33
Round 4
Niles 40, Mattawan 25
Lakeshore 35, K-Central 29
St. Joe 34, Lumen Christi 16
Coldwater 42, Lakeview 32
Portage Central 72, Benton Harbor 18
Portage Northern 60, Harper Creek 18
BCC 39, Marshall 37
Sturgis 55, Loy Norrix 12
Championship round
Niles 27, Lakeshore 18
BCC 45, Coldwater 29
Harper Creek 60, Lumen Christi 18
Lakeview 46, Marshall 24
St. Joe 40, Portage Northern 32
Kalamazoo Central 31, Mattawan 28
Portage Central 45, Sturgis 41