Lowell and St. Johns squared off again for the Division 2 state title in team wrestling with Lowell taking a dramatic 34-34 victory on criteria Saturday at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena.
St. Johns, which had won the last four titles, including the past two over Lowell, had a 31-22 lead at 160 pounds after Logan Massa pinned Jacob Garcia in 2:21. Only three classes were left and St. Johns appeared to be all set. But Kanon Dean pinned Blake Thelen in 3:09 for Lowell at 171 to make it 31-28. But the Red Wings’ undefeated wrestler Angus Arthur at 189 just needed a major decision or better to get St. Johns the title. He decisioned Max Dean 8-6 and Lowell was still alive. At 215 Nic Sturgis of Lowell battled to not get pinned but was called for too many stalling penalties, giving Garret Stehley the DQ win for the 34-34 tie. Lowell won the match on criteria.
St Johns’ started out with a 9-6 lead. The Wings’ Ty Wildmo at 285 beat John Colegrove 8-4. Lucas Hall for Lowell pinned Emilio Sanchez in 1:35 at 103. Ian Parker got a pin for St. Johns at 2:29 over Kyle Washburn at 112.
Lowell won four straight matches to take a 22-9 lead. It was Zeth Dean over Lucas McFarland 9-0 at 119, Derek Krajewski with a decision at 125 over Derek Droste 10-6, Bailey Jacks at 130 over Bret Fedew in a 5-3 decision and Jordan Hall at 135 with a pin over Alejandro Guajardo in 23 seconds.
St. Johns came back with four straight wins, ending with Massa’s victory.
It was Zac Hall at 140 with a 25-10 win over Dan Kruse, Mark Bozzo at 145 with a 21-6 win over Eli Boulton and Drew Wixson at 152 with a pin on Nate Stephens in 56 seconds.
Lowell ended the season at 24-1. St. Johns is 20-3.