By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Six Niles wrestlers advanced to the Division 2 individual regional wrestling tournament by placing in the top four of their weight class on Saturday.
Jake Glueckert (125) and Alex Zanders (171) both placed second, Andrew Karsten (130) and Kenyon Ellison (285) placed third, while Derek Purcell (160) was fourth. The six will travel to Eaton Rapids on Saturday.
Other area teams to advance wrestlers in Division 2 were Lakeshore, who is sending eight. Three Rivers has six wrestlers advancing and Sturgis and St. Joseph each have two.
The Vikings will head to Allegan on Wednesday to compete in the Division 2 regional wrestling tournament, where they will face Three Rivers.
Division 2
Individual District Wrestling Tournament
At Three Rivers
Championship round
103: Matt Smith (Allegan) dec. Harley Ring (Portage Northern), 14-12
112: Nick Humes (Lakeshore) dec. Sean Tomac (Mattawan), 6-4
119: Steve Poffenberger (Allegan) maj. dec. Ricky Van (Portage Northern), 16-6
125: Andy Krcatovich (Allegan) dec. Jake Glueckert (Niles), 7-0
130: Max Smith (Sturgis) dec. Taylor Misel (Three Rivers), 5-2
135: Jeffrey Steele (Plainwell) maj. dec. Bryan Ammeson (St. Joseph), 11-1
140: Greg Courtney (Allegan) pinned Nick Brazeau (Mattawan), 2:46
145: John Rizgallah (Allegan) dec. Aaron Brew (Sturgis), 6-3
152: Tim Newman (Lakeshore) maj. dec. Doug Plews (Allegan), 15-6
160: Jacob Wilson (Allegan) dec. Ben Brandstatter (Niles), 10-5
171: Brandon Rhodes (Allegan) pinned Alex Zanders (Niles), 0:45
189: Cameron Simaz (Allegan) tech. fall Zach Jones (Three Rivers), 21-6 (5:25)
215: Dan Craig (Allegan) pinned Joe Riley (Plainwell), 1:29
285: Joe Rizgallah (Allegan) dec. Josh Droppers (Portage Northern), 5-0
Consolation round
103: Taylan Knobloch (Plainwell) dec. Matt Morrill (Three Rivers), 2-0
112: Jeremiah West (Gull Lake) dec. Jaylyn Bohl (Plainwell), 9-4
119: Tyler Humes (Lakeshore) dec. Ross Cousins (Vicksburg), 8-2
125: Wally Shaver (Gull Lake) pinned Elliot Lamson (Mattawan), 1:38
130: Andrew Karsten (Niles) pinned Kurt Risner (Plainwell), 1:46
135: Alex Bolt (Lakeshore) pinned Cyle Herendeen (Coldwater), 0:58
140: Jake Skivers (Lakeshore) beat Sam Bolen (Portage Northern), 9-7
145: Cody Smith (Plainwell) pinned Adam Tavernier (Three Rivers), 4:54
152: Jordan Hall (Mattawan) dec. Eric Shirley (Lakeshore), 6-1
160: Pete Wyman (Gull Lake) maj. dec. Derek Purcell (Niles), 13-2
171: Peter Stamos (Portage Northern) pinned David Sirk (Lakeshore), 3:50
189: Mark Lockwood (St. Joseph) pinned Jakob Berzins (Mattawan), 1:53
215: Rusty McClain (Three Rivers) won by default over Joe Spear (Lakeshore)
285: Kenyon Ellison (Niles) pinned Jason Hinn (Three Rivers), 0:57