Wrestlers go for state title against Addision
(BATTLE CREEK) — This is all new ground for the Hurons. Yesterday’s win in the quarterfinals of the MHSAA Division 4 wrestling tournament made history. Today a stunning 33-32 win in the semifinals over Bronson put the Hurons in the championship match.
Needing a miraculous comeback, Rogers City got exactly that. Down 32-24 with just two matches to go, the Hurons needed a pin and a win to move by Bronson, with Chase McLennan and Mark Grulke the last hopes for the Hurons.
The pin points didn’t come from a traditional pin, but rather a disqualification of Bronson senior Thad Himebaugh for a dangerous head slam of McLennan to the mat, which left the Huron freshman dazed for a few moments as medical staff attended to him.
Himebaugh picked up McLennan, who wrestled up one weight class in the semifinals, and with his left arm locked around McLennan’s, threw McLennan to the mat where he landed hard on his head. McLennan, who suffered a concussion in the football season, was left face down for several minutes until it was determined he could not go on. The referee awarded six points to Rogers City because of the injury-causing stoppage, much to the disagreement of a vocal Bronson contingent.
That set up the final match for all the marbles, a berth in the Division 4 championship match.
Mark Grulke, also wrestling up a weight class, matched up with Bronson’s Anthony Rice (18-14) at 189-pounds. Grulke came through with a 12-11 overtime win to send the Vikings packing and send the Huron faithful in to hysteria.
Picking up pins for the Hurons were Chris Rhode (215) and Dylan Centala (130). Others who won their matches were Tyler Gorlewski (275), Tharon Wilk (112), and Cody Wenzel (140).
Now, the Hurons face Addison (37-1) who knocked off previously undefeated Hesperia (37-1) 40-21. That match is at 5 p.m.