Manchester High School wrestler Jacob Bunn nearly pins his Hudson High School opponent at 103 pounds. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
In big wrestling matches, it always seems to come down to who can score bonus points and who can eliminate them.
That is what it came down to in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 state team wrestling semifinal.
Hudson High School scored two pins and a void in a 31-29 win over Manchester on Saturday at Wings Events Center in Kalamazoo.
The Flying Dutchmen end the season with a 36-3 record.
“I told our kids it always comes down to one or two points,” Manchester Coach Steve Vlcek said. “It comes down to bonus points … not giving them up and earning some.”
Adam Pringle got Manchester off to a great start with a 6-4 overtime win at 140 pounds.
After a Hudson pin, Jacob Kurgin of Manchester earned a 7-0 win to tie the match at 6-all.
Jacob Snowden of Manchester gave the Flying Dutchmen a 9-6 lead with a 4-0 win at 160 pounds.
Two wins by Hudson gave the Tigers a 15-9 lead in a low-scoring contest. But Manchester battled back on a major decision by Colin McCaffery at 215 and a pin by Simon Lato at 285. Manchester led at that point 19-15.
Hudson won the match at 103 pounds, but not without some controversy. Vlcek believed Jacob Bunn earned back points after taking down Dallas Pibbles. But he was not awarded any points and Hudson went on to win the match 4-2.
A void by Manchester at 112 and two wins by Hudson gave the Tigers a 12-point lead with two matches remaining.
Drew Gebhardt (130) and Jacob Shelby (135) closed out the semifinal match with wins for the Flying Dutchmen. Gebhardt earned a major decision while Shelby pinned his opponent at 135.
Hudson went on to face Lenawee County foes Clinton in the Division 4 state team finals.
Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.
