Clare wrestlers saw success in individual district action

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

The high school wrestling post-season is in full swing, with individual district action taking place over the weekend.

On Saturday, the boys competed in Shepherd, where things went quite well, according to head coach Dennis Doyle.

“Great Saturday in Shepherd, four of our six wrestlers qualified for individual regionals by playing in the top four,” he said. “Very proud of all our kids who competed.”

Chris Green (157) is headed to the regional thanks to his second-place finish. He went 2-1 on the day, including a pin midway through the second period in his semi-final bout against Gladwin’s Christian Vorce.

Kyle McGraw (113) added a second-place finish as well. He had a 7-5 decision over Sawyer Boos of Hart in the semi-finals.

Otis Fry (175) claimed a spot in regionals, taking third. His busy day ended with a 19-5 major decision over Bullock Creek’s Jerry Haines in the third-place match.

Isaiah Hilliard (144) is also headed to regionals, thanks to his fourth-place finish. His highlight of the day was a 12-9 decision over Gladwin’s Brayden Schroeder in the blood round.

Marshal Strouse (175) and Jackson Boxx (285) also competed in the district but were unable to place.

On Sunday it was the girls turn in Whitehall.

AnnMarie Green continued her impressive season by taking first place in the 235-weight class. She won the championship match over McKayla Brown of Grand Rapids Northview, pinning her midway through the second period.

Addisyn Ames (155) won her first match, but dropped her next two, ending her season.

“Even though Addi didn’t place she wrestled hard and always had a great attitude,” Doyle said. “AnnMarie placed first and will move on to girls’ regionals for another opportunity to move on to the state tournament.  It was a great weekend for the Pioneer wrestlers.”

Clare did seed its season ended as a team however, when they lost at home against Chippewa Hills, 57-18.

Clare sends its boys to a regional at Boyne City on Saturday, while the girls’ regional will be on Sunday at Cadillac.