Whitehall wrestler Buck Houts is grabbed from behind by Richmond opponent Dalton Yore during their 152-pound match at the Division 3 state wrestling semifinals last Saturday in Battle Creek. Houts won his match in overtime, but Whitehall was eliminated by
BATTLE CREEK — After Whitehall made mincemeat of Parchment in the state quarterfinals last Friday in a 56-18 win, the Vikings had every reason to be confident that they could dethrone Richmond, the three-time defending Division 3 state champion. In particular, the Vikings had high hopes to gain wins from Logan Morningstar, Reiley Brown and Zack Cooper, all highly-ranked wrestlers that battled for state championship honors individually this weekend.
However, stunningly, all three got pinned, shocking Whitehall and setting the stage for a 39-31 Blue Devils’ win, keeping the Vikings from their goal of a state final berth.
Morningstar opened the match at 215, only the second time this season he has wrestled at that weight after spending most of 2012-13 at heavyweight. The senior surprisingly was pinned by Jake McKiernan of Richmond, who wrestled up from his normal 189.
Whitehall coach Cliff Sandee seemed upset with himself for moving Morningstar from his normal spot after the match, even though Hunter Shaw, who wrestled at heavyweight instead of Morningstar, took a decision victory.
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