Jeff Chaney
Sports Scene
Jake Fuller fondly remembers his freshman season on the Byron Center wrestling team.
That’s the last time the Bulldogs advanced to the Division 2 team finals at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena.
“The best thing ever is the grand march,” Fuller said. “Walking with your team, that was great.”
Fuller, a 145-pound senior for Byron Center this year, believes this year’s team has the makeup to get back to Battle Creek and make new memories.
Fuller and the Bulldogs proved that Wednesday night at the team district it hosted.
Byron Center crushed Wayland in one semifinal 71-10, then beat perennial power Middleville 40-17 in the finals.
Fuller, who is one of five starting seniors in the lineup, did his part by beating Middleville’s Oscar Cardosa 7-4 in a hard-fought battle.
It was one of 10 wins by Bulldog wrestlers in the championship match, including five decisions that were settled by three points or less.
“We lost in the quarterfinals three years ago, and we definitely want to get back to the finals,” Fuller said. “I think we have the team to do that this year.”
The problem Byron Center has now, is the next team it has to beat to get to Battle Creek.
The Bulldogs next will wrestle Allegan at the team regional the Tigers will host Wednesday.
“Tonight was a battle with Middleville, and next week will be one, too,” said Byron Center coach Jim Maxim, whose team is ranked eighth in the state and has a 36-2-1 record. “I think we are a pretty good team, but so is Allegan. It will be another war.”
Allegan had very little problem winning the district at Plainwell Wednesday, beating Richland Gull Lake in its semifinal 63-9, and Plainwell in the finals 78-6.
The Tigers are the fourth-ranked team in the state.
“Our kids right now are heading in the right direction, they are improving each week,” Maxim said. “As a coach, that’s always what you are looking for, and what you need right now.”