By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Niles and Lakeshore have been neck-and-neck on the wrestling mats this season. But on Wednesday evening in Stevensville, the Vikings handed the Lancers a loss that truly counted and ended Lakeshore's season.
Niles walked away district champions for the first time in several years, ending a very long streak dominated by the Lancers. The Vikes posted a 43-23 victory in the Division 2 finals.
Niles' Gage Pearison got the ball rolling at 103-pounds for Niles. Pearison handed Ben Nowacki a 12-1 loss. Lakeshore's Nick Humes brought the Lancers right back in the match by taking a 13-5 win over Marcus Bricker 112. After that point, though, it was all Blue and Gold.
Nate Allison edged Lakeshore's Tyler Humes, 9-7, at 119. Jake Glueckert (125) and Andrew Karsten (130) both followed with pins, as the Vikes took a 19-4 lead.
Lakeshore won the next two matches as Alex Bolt (135) and Jake Skivers (140 defeated Niles' Eric Dulcett and Todd Scansen respectively.
John Wreggelsworth picked up the next win for the Vikes, decisioning Mike Humes, 16-13 at 145. Lakeshore's Tim Newman pinned Derek Purcell with 2:37 on the clock.
Ben Brandstatter got big revenge on Eric Shirley, pinning him with 3:26 on the clock to give the Vikes a 28-17 lead.
Alex Zanders also claimed a huge win at 171-pounds, decisioning Dave Sirk, 8-7.
At 189, Micah Barrett pinned Lakeshore's Zak Kretchman at the 3:29 mark.
And 285-pounder Kenyon Ellison (35-7) got the other Viking pin. Chad Nichols suffered a loss at 215-pounds when Hoe Spear won by pin.
Kenyon Ellison wrapped up the night for the Vikes, pinning Josh Noffke at the 3:37 mark.
The Vikings advanced to the final round after taking a 41-21 win over St. Joseph. Lakeshore defeated Benton Harbor, 75-0.
Niles, now 26-4, now advances to next week's Division 2 regional at Allegan, The Vikes will face Three Rivers in the semifinals.
Division 2 District Tournament
Finals
Niles … 43
Lakeshore … 23
103 – Gage Pearison (N) major dec. over Ben Nowacki 12-1
112 – Nick Humes (L) major dec. over Marcus Bricker 13-5
119 – Nat Allison (N) dec. Tyler Humes 9-7
125 – Jake Glueckert (N) pinned Aaron Belander 3:06
130 – Andrew Karsten (N) pinned Anthony Barbarino 1:45
135 – Alex Bolt (L) major dec. over Eric Dulcett 13-2
140 – Jake Skivers (L) dec. Todd Scansen 1-0
145 – John Wreggelsworth (N) dec. Mike Humes 16-13
152 – Tim Newman (L) pinned Derek Purcell 2:37
160 – Ben Brandstatter (N) pinned Eric Shirley 3:26
171 – Alex Zanders (N) dec. Dave Sirk 8-7
189 – Micah Barrett (N) pinned Zak Kretchman 3:29
215 – Joe Spear (L) pinned Chad Nichols 1:08
285 – Kenyon Ellison (N) pinned Josh Noffke 3:37
Semifinals
Niles … 41
St. Joseph … 21
103 – Gage Pearison (N) pinned Justin Zelmer :46
112 – Nate Allison (N) dec. Kevin Foster 8-4
119 – D.J. Vermilyer (SJ) dec. Marcus Bricker 4-3
125 – Jake Glueckert (N) tech fall over George Piggee 16-1
130 – Andrew Karsten (N) dec. Zach Becker 8-6 (overtime)
135 – Steve Imbordino (SJ) pinned Eric Dulcett 4:29
140 – Todd Scansen (N) dec. Bryan Ammeson 7-4
145 – John Wreggelsworth (N) pinned. Kyle Voors :37
152 – Jamaal Jackson (SJ) dec. Derek Purcell 5-4
160 – Ben Brandstatter (N) won by forfeit
171 – Alex Zanders (N) dec. Dustin Phelan 7-3
189 – Ivon Hays (SJ) dec. Kyle Garlanger 7-1
215 – Mark Lockwood (SJ) pinned Casey Wirick 4:33
285 – Kenyon Ellison (N) pinned Andy Rosenthal 1:54