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Wrestlers looking forward to post season




MARLETTE
— The Red Raiders, like many other high school wrestling teams, are gearing up for a strong finish to the season. With a potential league championship in the balance, along with possible crowns at the district and regional level, Marlette is excited about what the future may hold for them.

“I am not saying anything is for sure, but I like this team’s potential for having a very successful post season,” said coach Cal Hayward. “The key will be for us to stay focused on what is in front of us and work hard. We have several kids who have had very good seasons and are quite capable of helping the team do some good things here in the next few weeks.”

Marlette, 6-1 in league action and the defending champs, is looking forward to the upcoming GTC meet at Laker on Saturday, Feb. 6. Cass City dealt the Red Raiders their only loss of the season and Hayward’s squad would like nothing more than to have another shot at the Red Hawks.

“We did not have a full team when we went up against them the first time,” Hayward noted. “We had some key kids out. If we had our full team, there is no question we win that match. We need to do well at league’s and have them fall somewhere along the way for us to have a shot at a championship.”

Matt Mata, wrestling at 112 lbs., is among the team leaders with a 35-1 mark and is just returning to the starting lineup after missing some action due to injuries. Travis Noble, at 103 lbs., owns a 15-2 mark, Justin Harms is 21-5 at 130 lbs. and Justin Shaver has compiled a 28-8 record at 171 lbs.

“We have had a lot of kids do well,” Hayward pointed out. “Travis has had some great matches, Justin (Shaver) has had a great year, Robert (Fingerle) has done well and there have been others too.”

Among others Hayward pointed to were Marcus Noble at 125 lbs., Tyler Steinkopf at 152 lbs., Pat Dischinger at 215 lbs. and heavy-weight Conner Collins.

“We have some high hopes, including wanting to go to Battle Creek (team finals),” Hayward said. “We feel like we have a good shot at a district title, going against Sandusky, Laker and Bad Axe and if we can stay focused, regionals are not out of the question either.”

At Brown City, coach Jim Blake has been pleased with the efforts of Jon Dueweke who has earned a 15-12 mark at 103 lbs. and Justin Reinthaler who is 12-12 at 152 lbs. Others with key wins are Ray Bandemer at 130 lbs., Jon Marks at 189 lbs. and Steve Wright at 285 lbs.

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