COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – In Branch County high school sports last night, in wrestling, Coldwater was at home for an Interstate Eight Quad and the host Cardinals were defeated by Charlotte 32-30. Winners for Coldwater included Sam DeMeester, Zach Gipple, Austin Rutz, Shihab Abdulrab, Hamza Muflihi, Daniel Pino, and Jesse Miller. Coldwater beat Jackson Northwest 34-27.
It was two wins for Bronson in their BCS Quad at Mendon with the Vikings defeating Mendon 42-37 and White Pigeon 49-19. Going 2-0 for Bronson were Thomas Littlefield, Cole Houtz, David Erwin, Chase Gibson, Nathan Caudill, and Joey Losinski.
Last night in boys basketball Bronson lost at home to Prairie Heights, Indiana 58-51 in overtime. Branson Thenen had 21 points in the non-conference defeat for the Vikings with their record dropping to 1-6. Tomorrow night, it’s Bronson at Cassopolis.
In girls basketball, there was makeup action last night for Quincy and Union City for their games that were snowed out back on January 12. Quincy lost at home to Athens 43-28. Quincy was ahead 18-17 at the half before the visiting Indians took control after the break. Katie Spalding had a double-double for the Orioles with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Quincy slips to 0-10 and 0-5 in the conference.
Also in the Big 8, Union City fell at Springport 62-20. Autumn Carpenter had 8 points and Kiley Spenelli had 17 steals for the Chargers, who are now 2-9 overall and 1-4 in the league.
Wednesday night in gymnastics, Coldwater was a winner at home over Mason 123.900 to 80.05 and in the process with their season high point total, posted their fourth qualifying score to earn a berth in the MHSAA Regionals. It’s only the second time in the past decade that Coldwater was able to secure a spot in the post season in just 5 outings.
Last night’s meet opened with the vault and 7 Coldwater gymnasts had personal qualifying scores. Senior standout Amanda Daoud earned the win on the vault with her mark of 8.3. Freshman Erica Rodgers made a big debut with a win in the JV competition by tying Daoud’s score. Brooke Neitzert placed second at 8.25, followed by Darien Dyer and Shelby Kahler while Abby Swick and Madison Hedstrom picked up individual qualifying scores as well. It was the last individual qualifier needed to compete at Regionals for Hedstrom and a first time for Swick.
On the uneven bars, Daoud once again collected an event qualifier, her fifth straight, for a first place finish at 7.3. On the balance beam, six Cardinals shined, sticking their routines and there were seven individual qualifying scores. Neitzert placed first on the event with her third qualifying score. Delivering the 1-2 punch right behind her was Daoud who was second and also earned her third score. Hedstrom posted a personal best, while Dyer picked up a qualifier. Freshman Claire Sheppard posted a first ever qualifier along with Kahler.
Coldwater kept the momentum going as they moved to the floor exercise, posting their highest event total of the evening and the season at 32.8. Six individual gymnasts earned Regional marks. Neitzert finished with a first place performance and her final qualifying score at 8.3. Daoud placed second, Kahler and Sheppard tied for third. Also collecting individual scores were Hedstrom and Swick. For Kahler and Hedstrom, it was the last mark needed to earn their spots in the post season.
Coldwater swept the Bulldogs in the all-around competition, and Daoud’s consistent performances earned her a personal best total for first place overall. The Cardinals will travel to Kenowa Hills on Saturday for an invitational.
Tonight in high school sports, in varsity boys basketball, Union City hosts Homer while in girls hoops, Bronson is at home against Cassopolis. In bowling, it’s Coldwater at Sturgis.
In middle school girls basketball last night, the Union City 8th grade team lost at home to Concord 36-23 with 7 points for Hope Austin. Bronson’s 8th grade team lost at home to Quincy 30-17 Monday with 7 points and 13 rebounds for Keona Salesman. On Tuesday, again at home, the Lady Vikings beat White Pigeon 35-25 with a double-double for Salesman with 23 points and 17 rebounds. Alanna Mayer added ten points in the win.
