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Prep Wrestling Division 2 and 3 Team Finals: Lowell wins yet another title, Richmond wins D3 title
(PHOTO COURTESY: High School Sports Scene / MHSAA/ Gary Williams)
Mount Pleasant — Hayden Bastian thought he had let Richmond down. As it turns out, his last-ditch effort saved the day.
Bastian recorded a takedown of Dundee’s McCallister Mcavoy with 28 seconds left in period three of the 130-pound match and he eventually recorded a 4-3 decision in the final match.
The result left the Division 3 final at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena tied at 28-28. The result also allowed the Blue Devils to win their eight state title –this time coming on Criteria H — first-match points over the 14 weight classes (17-8 edge).
“I fought back but I thought I’d let my teammates down. We needed a major (decision) to give us the extra point,” said Bastian. “With the (tie-breaker), I didn’t think we won.”
Bastian’s heroics gave top-ranked Richmond (30-2) its eighth overall state title to go along with five state runner-up trophies dating back to 1996.
Both teams recorded seven wins on the day. Dundee’s 125-pounder Christian Killion edged Alec Ziza of Richmond 1-0 to put the Vikings up 28-25.
“We just needed to hold it another 30 seconds and we would have won,” Dundee coach Tim Roberts said. “That’s the way it goes. We knew once it had gone to the table (for the ruling) that (Richmond) won. It’s a tough way to lose.”
Richmond’s last won the title in 2015.
“We have a great rivalry with them. I never thought it would go down to that many (criteria),” said Richmond coach Brandon Day. “I can’t remember a match going that deep right now. It’s rare. What a way to win it all.”
Richmond (30-2) won four of the final six weight classes as part of its late-night rally. Tyler Marino (285, decision), Austin Kilburn (103, pin), and Roy Costello (112, decision) aided the Blue Devils’ late rally.
Dundee finished 20-5.
Division 2
Lowell proved again that it is the most successful Division 2 program in the state over the past two decades.
The Red Arrows claimed their seventh state title in 15 years. This time it was a 32-21 victory over No. 2-ranked Warren Woods Tower in the state finals at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena.
The title marked Lowell’s fourth straight title.
Lowell led 25-21 with two matches to go before pulling away. Jeff Leach (125, decision) and Channing Perry (130, major decision) recorded the final seven points for the Red Arrows (21-2).
Lowell won nine of 14 matches.
“It’s amazing to think about it. The seniors in our program never lost in the state finals. What an accomplishment,” said Lowell coach R.J. Boudro. “We knew this would be close and Woods-Tower is a very good program. “I’m from Macomb County and I’ve known Greg Mayer for a long time. It’s nice to see them here, someone different contending for a title.”
Woods Tower was not only making its first appearance in the finals, but first state final in a team head-to-head sport.
That is no consolation for Mayer.
“The goal was to come in here and win,” he said. “We didn’t get some points where I was hoping to. But when you’re up against a program like Lowell, it’s not that easy.”
