UPDATED: Centala takes third at 119
It?s high school wrestling?s biggest stage and three Division IV wrestlers from Rogers City will be competing on it. The Michigan High School Athletic Association individual state finals is the largest in America. Four divisions, with nearly 900 wrestlers from 300 schools, will be participating at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Freshman Dylan Centala (119 pounds, 48-2) took third place in his wieght class Saturday .He won his first two matches before losing the third. He defeated Sandusky junior Damion Childers (27-10) on a major decision. Then he pinned Sam Worrell of Quincy (27-16) in 4:54.
Centala’s state championship hopes were derailed by Blake Gardner of New Lothrup (soph. 55-6) in a 7-2 loss.
He then took an 8-1 decision over Tyler Boss of Addison (35-15 sophomore) to clinch fourth place. A 12-8 victory over Union City senior Lewie Wallen (46-9) gave Centala the third place finish in the 119 pound class.
Junior Justin Kelley (125 pounds, 33-18) lost his first match to Clinton Milliman of Bronson on a technical fall (20-4) at 5:58.
He then won his next in two overtimes by a score of 2-0 over Jestin McWillimans of Byron.
A loss to Jeremy Krupp of New Lothrup ended Kelley’s run. Krupp took Kelley 7-0.
Sophomore Chris Rhode (189 pounds, 46-10) lost both his matches. He lost to Ryan Maitland (8-1) and then to Dustin Gerdin of Bangor (3-2).