COMSTOCK — The Dowagiac wrestling team finished seventh out of 11 teams at the Comstock Invitational on Thursday.

Senior Ben Luth was Dowagiac’s lone champion as he earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award as well.

Finishing second for the Chieftains was Spencer Calley, while Ryan Smit and Carl Grant were both third.

“I felt pretty good about the way we wrestled,” Dowagiac coach Matt Alward said. “Because I could put two kids in a weight class, I was able to get some freshmen some varsity experience. I thought they did a good job and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for a lot of these young men.”

Dowagiac is back on the mat on Wednesday when it travels to Constantine to compete in non-league action.

 

Big 16 Team Duals

BATTLE CREEK — The Niles wrestling team went 3-2 at the Big 16 Conference Team Duals on Thursday at the Kellogg Center.

Lakeshore captured its second consecutive championship at the tournament, which is being discontinued after this year because the season is being shortened by one week.

The Lancers defeated Portage Central 47-27 in the championship match.

The Vikings defeated Battle Creek Harper Creek (72-9), Benton Harbor (72-12) and Sturgis (42-36). Niles lost to Portage Northern (36-33) and Kalamazoo Central 42-36).

Going undefeated on the day for the Vikings were Colin Burandt, Robbie Legus and Donte Stevens.

Going 4-1 were Nicholas Zimmerman, Cole Allison, Casey Burandt, James Asmus and Mike Gentry.

The Vikings were missing starters at 103, 112 and 119.

“It was difficult to determine how we wrestled,” Niles coach Todd Hesson said. “I thought we lacked intensity. We didn’t get pins when we needed them and gave up way too many pins. The lack of intensity is my responsibility as a coach. I need to figure out a way to get the kids to wrestle at a higher level.

“In the end I felt we wrestled competitively and even with some kids out of the line-up we were a match away from wrestling in the finals. Now we get ready for a double-dual Wednesday at Buchanan. We will wrestle against the Wolverine Conference champion Allegan and then finish the night against Three Rivers,” he added.