By Mark Blentlinger
Two Schoolcraft wrestlers will compete for individual state championships at Detroit’s Ford Field March 4th and 5th.
Nolan Strake and Riley Cochran survived individual district matches among wrestlers from 15 schools to make the cut.
Schoolcraft in mid-February hosted Division 4 regional team wrestling championships with the Eagles hosting White Pigeon, Decatur, and Niles Brandywine. White Pigeon defeated Niles 21-48. The Eagles fell to Decatur 25-45. In the final, Decatur took on White Pigeon; Decatur Raiders came out the victors, defeating the Chiefs 54-30.
The individual Districts were also held at Schoolcraft with wrestlers from Bangor, Bloomingdale, Cassopolis, Centreville, Decatur, Eau Claire, Gobles, Hartford, Lawrence, Lawton, Marcellus, Niles Brandywine, Schoolcraft, Three Oaks River Valley and White Pigeon.
After a day full of grapplers doing their best to win their way into the regionals and the possible ticket to Ford Field, four Eagles were a step closer: Lipscomb at 119 lbs, Kolby Lloyd at 135; senior Riley Cochran at 160 and senior Nolan Strake at 171 lbs.
The field was narrowed February 19th at matches hosted by Lawton but held at Schoolcraft due to an unseen issue at Lawton High. Battling for third place, Cochran was defeated by Carter Cosby of Lawton 9-4. Strake also was up for a chance at third place. Jacob Britten of Bronson defeated Strake 5-1.
At the end of the day, Riley Cochran and Nolan Strake achieved 4th place, advancing each of them to the individual state championships.