BATTLE CREEK, MI (WTVB) – In high school wrestling Saturday, it was the Bill Evans Memorial Invitational at Battle Creek Central with Bronson finishing third, Coldwater tied for fifth place and Union City was 12th out of the 14 teams in the tournament. Bronson’s 177 points included a gold medal for Joey Losinski at heavyweight. Coldwater also had a first place finisher with the Cardinal’s Sam DeMeester winning the 171 pound weight division.
The Cardinals ended up with 136.5 points. Battle Creek Lakeview won the Invitational with 237 points. Coldwater’s other top three finisher was Jesse Miller taking second at 160 pounds. For Bronson, Chase Gibson was runner-up at 189 pounds and David Erwin second at 171 pounds. Also, Cole Houtz was third at 160 pounds and Nathan Caudill third at 215 pounds.
Union City’s 95 points included a second place medal for Tristan Banks at 140 pounds.
In gymnastics Saturday, Coldwater finished third out of 9 teams at the St. John’s Invitational with a season-high team total for the Cardinals of 126.025 points. Tecumseh claimed first place at 138 points and the tournament winners will be hosted by Coldwater this week on Wednesday. Three Cardinals picked up individual awards Saturday including Amanda Daoud, Brooke Neitzert, and Claire Sheppard. St. John’s hosts a dance competition at the end of their invitational each year and Coldwater was voted the best dance by their peers for the first time ever in the competition.
The Cardinals began the Invitational on the vault with a season high score. Daoud had a banner day which started with a 7th place score of 8.55. Erica Rodgers collected her fourth and final individual Regional qualifying score with an 8.3, tying her best. Abby Swick earned her third mark and a personal best with an 8.125 and Claire Sheppard earned her second qualifier with a 7.9.
Next on the uneven bars, Daoud posted a 7.55 for tenth place and was the sole qualifier for Coldwater. Two Cardinals made the awards stand and six gymnasts earned individual qualifying Regional scores on the balance beam. Daoud earned a second place finish with a season best score of 8.725. Neitzert placed 11th at 8.125. Darien Dyer stuck her routine to claim her Regional berth with a season best and Rodgers picked up a final qualifier on just her fourth time competing in the event. Sheppard earned a third Regional score while Swick collected her second with a personal best.
Coldwater’s final event was their strongest effort of the day with a season high score on the floor exercise. Six Individual qualifying performances that included two personal bests propelled the Cardinals to the high mark. Sheppard posted an 8.825 personal best which earned the freshman a 7th place finish. Daoud had a solid 8.525, just missing the awards stand. Rodgers picked up her third qualifier and Neitzert recorded a personal best. Dyer collected her 2nd qualifier on the floor and Swick posted a qualifying score.
For the third meet in a row, Daoud tallied a personal best all-around score to put her in fifth place overall.
Tonight in high school sports, in girls basketball, it’s Quincy at Mendon and Bronson at Olivet.
