Wrestlers Compete for Title in Battle Creek

By Danna Castillo

It all leads to Battle Creek. Twelve straight years for Coach Todd Cheney and his Eagles. Not a small accomplishment in anyone's book.  

The 32-1 third rankded Eagles took on Macomb Dakota (37-4) in what was Macomb Dakota's first appearance in Battle Creek for the MHSAA Team State Finals.

The Cougars fell to the Eagles 42-14 in what has been typical Hartland fashion.  Winning 10 of the 14 match ups, 4 by pin & 2 by major decision, the Eagles continue to feed off each other and continue to find a way to win.

“They had an incredible season, a sad story, they had a purpose to wrestle,”  Cheney said referring to the loss of Dakota coach Bill Witgen to cancer in September. “They’ll be back. They should be proud. They’re a tough team.”

Hartland advances to the Semi's competing against number two ranked Davison High Scholl at 9:30 am Saturday morning. Hartland and Davison have met before. In 2004, 2005 and 2006. All three meetings ended with the Cardinals winning a State Championship and Hartland as runner up.

In 2006 the Cardinals defeated the Eagles 30-29. 

It's no secret a win versus Davison would be a real treat for these tenacious Eagles.  It will take everything they have and then some.  That's what so special about this 2013 squad, they are ready to give it all they have...and then some, for their coaches and for each other.

Hartland moves on to face #2 Davison HS in the Semi Finals begining at 9:30am Saturday Morning at Kellogg Arena.  

Detroit Catholic Central, which is seeded first, will take on Rochester, in the other semifinal. The Shamrocks easily beat Grandville, 62-7, while the Falcons upset #4  Temperance Bedford, 37-24, to advance.

The winner of each Semi Final round will wrestle in the Finals on Feb.23 beginning at 4 pm. 

QUARTER FINALS OF THE MHSAA TEAM STATE FINALS
HARTLAND HS VS MACOMB DAKOTA HS

285     6- 0         Josh Charneski (HHS) - Raynard Hegarty (MD),  FALL 1:13

103     6-4         Sal Caruso (MD) -  Eric Lundwall (HHS), Major Dec. 8-0

112     12-4        Sage Castillo (HHS) -  Kelton Burch (MD), FALL  :57

119     18-4        Nate Hughes (HHS) -  Andrew Burnham (MD), FALL 1:53

125     21-4        Devon Chalut (HHS) -  Nathan Friese (MD), Dec.  8-2

130     27-4        Justin Rollins (HHS) -  Ryan Karam (MD), FALL  1:18

135     30-4        Jacob Gorial (HHS) -  Kyle Cendrowski (MD),Dec. 8-2

140     33-4        Austin Eicher (HHS) -  Brian Cotter (MD), Dec. 8-5

145     36-4        Anthony Colaianne (HHS) - Alexander Bozinovski (MD),Dec.  6-2

152     36-7        Kenny Seelye (MD) -  Logan Vish (HA), Dec.  7-4

160     36-11     Josh Burham (MD) - Nate Smith (HA), Major Dec. 12-2

171     39-11     Mitchel Thomas (HHS) - Jake Johnson (MD), Dec. 9-3

189     39-14     Antonio Balabani (MD) - Ryan Hill (HA), Dec  3-1

215     42-14     Chad Maks (HHS) - Greg Brohl (MD), Dec.  9-5