KALAMAZOO, MI (WTVB) – The Bronson Vikings wrestling team took one more step in 2023 as they got to the M.H.S.A.A. Team Wrestling Division Four championship match for the first time in 20 years on Saturday at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo.
But they ran into a buzz saw in the finals as the Hudson Tigers defeated the Vikings 58-12 to claim their 10th state championship under the 35-year tenure of head coach Scott Marry.
Matthew Blankenship scored a pin for Bronson at 215 to open the match but Hudson then ran off nine straight victories which included seven pins to take control.
The other Bronson points came on decisions for Carson Norton at 157 and Jacob Britten at 175.
The third seeded Vikings advanced to the finals on Saturday morning with a gritty 38-29 come-from-behind victory over second seeded St. Louis. Bronson fell behind 17-3 and were down 23-13 before they started their rally. Bronson won five straight matches before voiding the last match at 215.
Bronson pins were scored by Layne Knisely at 138, Drew Seekman at 150, Carson Norton at 157 and Connor Harvey 190. Decisions were scored by Matthew Blankenship at 285 and Mason Lindsey at 165. Major Decisions were scored by Perry Lake at 126 and Jacob Britten at 175.
Bronson finished with a record of 39-2. Vikings coach Chad Butters told the M.H.S.A.A.’s Second Half he was proud of his team’s run this year.
“We felt really good coming in here. I thought we wrestled really well against Manchester. Then against St. Louis, we showed a lot of toughness and grit. Against Hudson, we knew we would have to pull off some upsets; that just didn’t happen. They overwhelmed us. They wrestled their match. They did what they do best. I am so proud of my young men. I am proud of their heart. We just fell short.”
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