IMLAY CITY — Imlay City’s Joe Harper gave a good account of himself, notching a placewinning performance at the USAW Junior (ages 16-18) Folkstyle Nationals this past week.
The tournament was contested last Friday and Saturday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Harper, representing Team Donahoe, began his tournament path Friday against Chamberlain Park High School’s Nash Hutmacher. That bout drew to a close with Hutmacher prevailing by a fall with 1:37 gone.
Imlay City’s Joe Harper (standing) competes at nationals.
He then evened his mark at 1-1, thanks to a 7-4 win against Odessa’s Nick Wright.
Harper followed it up with a 4-3 victory over Columbine’s Zachary Schraeder, leaving him 2-1 at the end of day one’s encounters.
He went up against Greenfield Wrestling Academy counterpart Dustin Olmstead next. That clash ended with Olmstead up 6-2.
That meant Harper would square off versus MO West Championship Wrestling adversary Mario Quezada for seventh place honors. Their confrontation concluded with Quezada registering a 6-1 triumph.
For his performance, Harper earned All-America recognition.
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
