Saturday was a big day for wrestling in the state of Michigan. It was the start of the post-season for individual honors and wrestlers were scrapping all over the state to keep their hopes alive for a State Championship. Frankenmuth traveled to Montrose, where they had a great showing all around for their growing team, and two wrestlers, Konner Roche and Chris Mills managed to make the district finals on their paths to a State Title.
Tanner Clontz (135lbs.) and Tyler McKinstry (189lbs.) both won big matches to keep wrestling throughout a difficult district tournament.
Tanner Clontz was drawn in against the #1 Ranked wrestler in the State of Michigan, Mac Breece from Birch Run. He put up a great fight and managed not to get pinned in a 17-2 loss. He dropped down to the consolation bracket where he faced off against the #4 seed in the tournament, Dewayne Rogers of Lakeville. He was able to pull off a big win and threw Rogers to his back in overtime for a 13-8 victory. Next he faced the #3 seed in the tournament, Anthony Urlocker of Bendle, in a match that would determine advancement to the Regional Tournament before States. He wrestled a tough match, but was eventually defeated by a technical fall. Tanner is a first year wrestler who has big goals and is looking forward to advancing further in next year’s post season.
Tyler McKinstry stepped into a strong 189lbs. bracket where he faced off against, Jesus Martinez-Guerrer of Capac to start the day. He was able to take him down and capture the pin in 3:57. Next, he wrestled the #3 seed where he lost by pin fall after putting up a good fight. After dropping down into the consolation bracket, he wrestled Jordon Nelson of Carrollton. He was able to capture the big victory by pinfall in 2:52 to advance to the round that determined going to Regionals. He faced a familiar opponent from Swan Valley, Samuel Sonefeld. He went out and wrestled a great match. Tyler put Sonefeld on his back, but before he could capture the pin, he was reversed to his back where he was defeated. Tyler has come a long way since the beginning of the season, and he is excited to see just how far he can go next year on the path to the state tournament.
Konner Roche (145lbs.) and Chris Mills (160lbs.) both made it to the district finals where they would both face state ranked wrestlers in order to win the tournament.
Konner Roche wrestled his first match against Hunter Tyson of Capac. He racked up many points before putting him to his back and capturing the pin in 4:14. After advancing to the finals, he faced a familiar opponent, Sam Jackson of Lakeville. Konner lost to Jackson early in the year 10-3. When they faced for the second time, Konner emerged the victor with a big overtime win. This time, Konner came out strong and responded to Jackson’s shot with his shots. Konner took Jackson down multiple times and put him on his back. Going into the third period, Konner was up 10-2 and was wrestling great. Jackson was able to catch Konner with a throw that won him the match. This was a tough match to lose, but Konner clearly showed he was the better wrestler. Had it not been for one move, the match was his. Konner is excited to face off against Jackson again next week at Regionals to show who the better wrestler truly is.
Chris Mills finished off the day for the Frankenmuth Eagles against the 2nd ranked wrestler in the state. To start, he faced Kadyn Lachappelle of Millington who he pinned in 46 seconds. Next, he wrestled Nathan Smith of Birch Run, who he pinned in 2:49. His last match of the day came against the highest ranked opponent Chris had wrestled all year. The week before districts, Chris defeated the #3 ranked wrestler in the state, Justin VanBlaricum of Alma, to win the conference championship. This week, he squared off against, David Watson of Yale, the #2 ranked wrestler in the state. Chris came out strong and wrestled a fantastic match. He blocked every shot Watson took and set up his own as a response. He put Watson on his back and eventually emerged the clear winner with an 8-2 victory. Chris Mills wrestled one of his best matches all season and proved he is among the best in the state of Michigan. Next, Chris sets his sight on the #1 ranked wrestler in the state, Stoney Buell of Dundee. That being said, it’s a long and tough road to the state title match, and Chris is determined to wrestle his best, every match along the way.