Whitehall wrestler Logan Irey (left) lunges at Lino Gonzales of Parchment during their 112-pound match at last Saturday’s wrestling regionals. Irey pinned Gonzales and qualified for this week’s state finals in Auburn Hills.

The finals will begin at the Palace of Auburn Hills Thursday and continue through Saturday.

Among the eight Whitehall qualifiers were four regional champions. Reiley Brown, who has ascended to #2 in MichiganGrappler.com’s rankings at 103 pounds, defeated Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s #3 Kole Krauss by decision, 7-2. At 125, #1-ranked Zach Cooper continued his remarkable season, improving to 50-0 on the year by blasting Grand Rapids West Catholic’s #7 Blake Russo by technical fall. The Sika twins also claimed regional titles, with Steven, ranked third at 160, defeating Allendale’s Brandon Dyke by a 7-0 decision, and top-ranked Joe winning the crown at 171 with a 9-6 decision over #4 Cory Livingston of Otsego.

Whitehall’s other four qualifiers were Logan Irey, third at 112; Dakota Hoffman, second at 145; Hunter Shaw, fourth at 215; and Logan Morningstar, second at heavyweight.

Montague’s Smith wins regional title

BANGOR — Sawyer Smith will be Montague’s lone representative at this week’s individual state finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills, but he’ll be going in as one of the favorites at 152 pounds after winning the regional title last Saturday at Bangor.

Smith, ranked second in the state at 152, rolled to the championship with a 5-2 decision victory over #5 Brody Conner of Lawton.

Addison’s Jared Bruner is the lone wrestler ranked ahead of Smith at 152 heading into the individual finals.

Rockets’ Stenberg headed to state

FRUITPORT — Four-time city champion Tyler Stenberg will cap off his Reeths-Puffer wrestling career with a trip to the individual state finals after qualifying out of the Fruitport regional last Saturday.

Stenberg placed second at 140 pounds, once again falling to Allegan’s top-ranked wrestler Kyle Simaz in the regional final as he did in districts. Simaz holds a perfect 56-0 record heading into the state finals.