Stevenson wrestling ends team season in regional final

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

The Utica Stevenson wresting team rounded out its dual-meet season in a Division 1 regional final against Romeo High Feb. 17 at Romeo.

The Titans ended their season in a 61-15 loss to Romeo, which won a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red Division dual-meet title and took home the top spot at the MAC Red tournament.

Stevenson advanced to the regional final by topping Birmingham Brother Rice 46-30 in the regional semifinal at Romeo.

The Titans won their district championship after beating Utica High 51-28 in the final; they beat Utica Ford II 37-28 in a district opener Feb. 15 at Sterling Heights High.

While the team season may have ended at Romeo, the Titans had five individual grapplers advance to the regional round of the individual state tournament. Regionals were Feb. 20, after press time.

Local regional competitors were senior Josh Blankenship, who placed second at 152 pounds at the district meet at Birmingham Groves Feb. 13.

Senior Nick Baker took third at 189, and junior John Brown was third at 112. Senior Steve Steck placed fourth at 125, and senior Mark Kovalcik was fourth at 171.

Three wrestlers from Sterling Heights High also qualified for regionals at the Groves district. Advancing were senior 215-pounder Chris Folden, who placed third; junior 140-pounder Nolan Solomon, who took fourth; and junior 103-pounder Jose Galeano, who placed fourth.

Ford II had two grapplers advance to the regional at Rochester, as junior Justin Zimmer (135) and senior Andrew Morris (145) placed second in their weight classes.

Warren De La Salle sent three wrestlers to regionals out of the Division 1 district at L’Anse Creuse. Senior Jake Jones won the 145-pound weight class; junior Brennan Kelly was second at 171; and senior Adam Masakowski took fourth at 135.

Three Warren Cousino wrestlers also advanced to regionals at the L’Anse Creuse district: senior Nate Walsh finished second at 215; senior Roderick Hicks was fourth at 160; and senior Ian Murphy placed fourth at 103.

For results from the Feb. 20 individual regionals visit www.candgnews.com and click on the Sports link.

You can reach Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1029.