For the fourth time in five years, the Niles wrestling team will compete in the Division 2 state quarterfinals.

The Vikings are 3-0 in previous quarterfinal appearances.

Niles defeated Tecumseh in 2013, Byron Center in 2014 and Tecumseh again in 2015.

The Vikings are 0-3 in the state semifinals after falling to Eaton Rapids 30-27 in 2015, to eventual state champion Lowell 43-16 in 2014 and to Lowell 31-26 in 2013.

Niles is seeded No. 6 heading to Mt. Pleasant and the McGuirk Arena on the campus of Central Michigan University.

The sixth seed came as a bit of a surprise to Niles coach Todd Hesson since his team was ranked No. 4 in Division 2 much of the 2016-17 season.

Niles (16-1) will face No. 3 seed St. John’s (25-1) in the quarterfinals at 6:45 p.m. today.

St. John’s reached the quarterfinals by defeating Clio 39-30 in the regional semifinals and Gaylord 30-28 for the regional championship.

The Vikings advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Mattawan 51-19 and Coldwater 48-21.

“I thought they missed out on the team seeding,” Hesson said. “It could have been a much better draw.”

The Niles-St. John’s winner will advance to the 11:30 a.m. Saturday semifinals where it will face either No. 2-seeded Warren Woods-Tower (26-0) or No. 7-seeded DeWitt (30-4).

In the other half of the bracket is No. 1 seed and defending state champion Lowell (18-2) vs. No. 8 seed Tecumseh (24-6) or No. 4 seed Marysville (26-0) or No. 5 seed Allendale (34-3).

The championship match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the quarterfinals and semifinals are $8 per person, while finals tickets are $10. An all-sessions pass is available for $20.

Tickets will be available at the door.

The Vikings also have six wrestlers heading to the Division 2 individual state finals March 2 to 4 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Following the district tournament at Three Rivers where Niles qualified 11 wrestlers for the regional, several members of the team took time to attend a tournament in Mattawan the following day (Feb. 12) to cheer on the Niles Wrestling Club.

The club took 17 competitors to the Mattawan Open and Novice Tournament, which was attended by five of the regional qualifiers.

Niles finished eighth out of 51 teams as 13 of the 17 individuals placed.

“Our MYWAY program is moving right along,” Hesson said. “Trent Babcock and his staff have done an excellent job building the program. Our high school kids have gone to a couple of tournaments and help coach and support the kids.

“MYWAY is the future of Niles wrestling and our kids have paid it forward by helping and supporting the little kids.”

When Jerry Wagley stepped down as coach of the club, Babcock and assistant Joe Heron stepped in and pick up the reigns.

The Niles Wrestling Club has 58 athletes, of which, 20 comprise the competitive team. The younger grapplers have competed in 10 tournaments so far this season.

Not only do club members learn wrestling techniques and go through agility drills, they also build stamina, strength, school pride and appropriate team conduct.

They also learn to pay it forward as they have taken part in several community service projects, such as a food drive for the Salvation Army where members collected more than 150 food items.

Taking first at the Mattawan tournament Owen Clark, Max Rucker, Julian Means-Flewellen and Adam Stough.

Finishing second were Dawson Rachels, Devon Schaffer, Lincoln Babcock and Eddie Weiser.

Third place finishers were Andrew Hartman and Hunter Stough, while finishing fourth were Aiden Brazo, Carson Rachels and Mikey Howell.