By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
EDWARDSBURG – The starting weight draw for the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 Team Tournament couldn't have set up any better for Buchanan against Dowagiac in the semifinals on Wednesday night.
The selected weight was 140-pounds, which meant the Chieftains had to go through the heart of the Bucks' order right off the bat.
Buchanan made the most of its opportunity, winning the first nine matches en route to a 50-15 win over the Chieftains, who finish the dual meet season with a 4-29 record.
Winning matches for the Chieftains were freshmen Ryan Smit (119), Daniel Crandall (125), sophomore Ben Luth (130) and senior Bobby Price (135).
Smit pinned Brent Brown in 1:43, while Crandall decisioned Andy Ketchum 8-6.
Luth decisioned Justin Fuller 12-5 and Price capped the evening with a 10-3 decision over Alex Darmos.
Buchanan advanced to the finals where it took on Edwardsburg, a 54-18 winner over Berrien Springs in the semifinals.
The Eddies rallied from an early deficit to edge the Bucks, 29-24.
"We're getting there," Dowagiac coach John Green said of his team's effort. "The four people we needed to win didn't. But they are wrestling fairly formidable opponents from Buchanan and you don't always get what you want. I am pleased that those four guys, 19, 25, 30 and 35, pulled it together and did their part of the job."
Buchanan…50
Dowagiac…15
103: Taylor Glavin (B) p. Cody Fairleigh 2:37
112: Jacob Hurd (B) d. Brian Delong 15-5
119: Ryan Smit (D) p. Brent Brown 1:43
125: Daniel Crandall (D) d. Andy Ketchum 8-6
130: Ben Luth (D) d. Justin Fuller 12-5
135: Bobby Price (D) d. Alex Darmos 10-3
140: Drew Medlin (B) won by forfeit
145: Adam Byrdak (B) m.d. Kasey Proshwitz 13-3
152: Tony Taylor (B) p. Dontrell Tucker 2:38
160: John Kuntz (B) p. Andrew Hurrle 2:41
171: David Ferris (B) d. Michael McNeil 4-0
189: Jacob Ferris (B) p. Pablo Pacheco 3:27
215: Mike Connors (B) d. Sinjin Ownby 4-3
285: Robert Riggs (B) won by forfeit
Records:
Dowagiac 4-29, Buchanan 32-7