Northwest High School wrestler Aidyn Williams has a scowl on his face after winning a big match at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 district final at Mason High School on Wednesday.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(February 9, 2023 6:54 AM) It is a good thing that Northwest High School freshman Aidyn Williams is a quick learner.
He proved that Wednesday night at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 wrestling team district tournament at Mason High School.
Williams learned a new move during warmups and used it in a stunning 4-3 win against Mason High School at 215 pounds in the district championship match.
Following a pin by defending state champ Adam Haselius at 285 pounds, the Mounties celebrated a 33-25 win over Mason for the district championship.
“We taught him (Williams) a move while warming up and he used it for one of his takedowns,” Coach Bruce Gumbert said. “He (Williams) came out of nowhere to win the match.”
Northwest was leading 24-19 with only three matches remaining in the hard-fought match against the Bulldogs. Normally Haselius is the 215 pound wrestler, but Gumbert inserted Williams into the spot.
Williams has less that a dozen varsity matches this season.
“I wrestled a lot of junior varsity matches … and I have wrestled for seven years,” Williams said. “I didn’t really have a strategy going out there … I just did my best.”
Williams received encouragement from his coach and members of the NW team.
“Coach told me to stay aggressive and don’t give up six points,” Williams said.
A pin by Mason at that point would give the Bulldogs a one-point lead with only two matches remaining.
After Williams’ big win, Haselius moved up to 285 and pinned his opponent in the opening round.
Cameron Beach (113), Jeffrey Miller (126), Blaine Anspaugh (132), Braden Gariety (157), and Aidyn Williams (215) all earned wins for the Mounties. Pins were earned by Gage Race (138), Zach Jacobs (165), and Haselius (285) for Northwest.
The Mounties will face Tecumseh in the regional semifinal next week at home. The winner of the four-team regional advances to the Division 2 state team finals.
Northwest has never been to the team state wrestling finals.
“Tonight, was a big hurdle … everything else is now plausible,” Gumbert said.
Mason defeated Jackson 61-17 in the opening round. Caden Bayer (132), Malik Monroe (215), and Kyle Bonner (285) earned pins for the Vikings.
Division 2
Marshall, District 151
Marshall District: Western High School defeated Marshall 54-24 in the opening round and beat Charlotte 51-28 in the district final. The Panthers will wrestle the yet-to-be district winners from Harper Creek next week in the regional tournament. Alex Trudell (190), Aiden Duncan (215), Kaden Engleter (113), Ethan St. Andre (120), Elijah Crist (126), Titan Parker (157), and Adam Carlson (165) earned pins against Charlotte in the district final.
Division 4
Manchester, District 217
Manchester District: Grass Lake lost to Sand Creek 36-24 in the district semifinal. Manchester won the district with an 80-0 win over Sand Creek in the district final.
Division 4
Jonesville, District 222
Jonesville District: Concord High School lost 60-18 to Jonesville in the Division 4 district tournament at JHS. Collin Thompson earned a pin for the Yellow Jackets in the tournament.
Division 4
Vermontville Maple Valley, District 221
Vermontville Maple Valley District: Springport High School advances to the Division 4 regional tournament with wins over Maple Valley (48-12) and Delton Kellogg (40-27). Owen Thomas (113) earned a pin against Delton and David Becker pinned his opponent against Maple Valley.
MHSAA Team Wrestling Districts
Division 3
Feb. 9 at Napoleon, 5:30 p.m.
Columbia Central, Michigan Center, Napoleon, and Onsted
Division 4
Feb. 9 at Addison, 5:30 p.m.
Addison, Hanover-Horton, and Vandercook Lake
Division 4
Feb. 9 at Dansville
Dansville, East Jackson, Lumen Christi, Leslie
Team districts normally start at 5:30 or 6 p.m. based on the number of teams in the district. Check with your local school for times.
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