One wrestling ethusiast said, “You could call it the battle of A-45 (the road between Wayland, Martin and Plainwell),” as the three schools dominated the Allendale Invitational Wrestling Tournament Saturday.
Wayland emerged as the winner with 184.5 team points, Plainwell was runner-up and Martin was third.
Martin and Wayland stayed within single digits of each other for the lead throughout the matches. Martin took a 168-167 lead midway through the final round, but Wayland’s strength in the upper weight classes made the difference.
Plainwell scored 4.5 points in the final match of the day to edge Martin for second place. It is the second time this year Plainwell has narrowly defeated Martin (Gull Lake Invitational was a 2.5-point difference).
Final Standings:
Wayland 184.5, Plainwell 172.5, Martin 172, Hamilton 149, Lakeshore 131.5, Lakeview 130, Zeeland East 122.5, Hart 111.5, Allendale 95.5, Tri County 76.0, Chippewa Hills 69, Hesperia 51.5, Kingsley 42, Shepherd 42, Meridian Early College 40, Willamston 0.
Wayland Champions: Lane Button (150) – he was trailing his undefeated Hamilton opponent 11-4 before pulling off a stunning pin/fall with only 17 seconds left in the match. Trent Sikkema (190) – defeated Kingsley opponent 11-1
Wayland Placers:
Third place – Jody Bitner (106), Bryton Merren (190), Logan Hall (215). Fourth place – Lennon Nesbit (120), Rex Emmorey (132). Jake Reeder (165), Fifth place – Miles Nesbitt (126), Evan Noyes (285). Sixth place – Jack Smit (144), Zephan Shafer (285).
Martin Champions: Haylen Buell – defeated Hesperia opponent 17-0
Martin Placers: Second place — Jayce Ritchie (138), Sam Bleeker (215). Third place – Logan Gilbert (126), Cole Reitz (132), Seth Toris (144), Jakub Tomyslak (165).
Fourth place – Jack Bagwell (157). Fifth place – Urijah Joostberns (113). Sixth place – Jacinto Lopez (106).
In the “B” division of the tournament, no team scores were recorded, but Martin had six placers (three champions) and Wayland had seven placers (no champions).
