Stanton, Sandzik, Dwyer and Harper compete to earn a spot on podium
TRI-CITY AREA — When the individual wrestling state finals unfold this Friday and Saturday at Detroit’s Ford Field, there will be four competitors hailing from our Tri-City schools testing their mat skills.
Imlay City qualified two of their grapplers to move on to the Division 2 state finals.
In the 119-pound weight class, Dakota Sandzik (37-15) gets his tournament stint underway against Warren Woods Tower’s Joe Haynes (44-3).
The winner of that clash meets the survivor of an encounter between Otsego’s Josh Sunnerville (40-3) and Sparta’s Hayden Cook (37-10).
At 285 pounds, Joe Harper (43-1) starts his tournament stint versus Madison Heights Lamphere’s Ian Allison (30-20).
The victor of that battle squares off against the winner of a bout between Lowell’s Taylor Delooff (18-5) and Eaton Rapids Jaden West (30-12).
Almont’s Mathew Dwyer lifts an opponent during a match this season.
Almont will be represented by 103-pounder Dallas Stanton at the Division 3 state finals.
Stanton (36-4) squares off versus Lake City’s Cade Wolf (29-5) first.
The winner of that bout meets the survivor of an encounter involving Napoleon’s Brendan Yob (27-7) and Lansing Sexton’s Robert Thang (29-4).
At 140 pounds, Almont’s Mathew Dwyer (37-9) squares off versus Lake Odessa Lakewood’s Keegan VanAlstine (30-9).
The victor of that clash faces the survivor of an encounter between Flint Powers’ Connor Owens (30-8) and Portland’s Jared Thelen (36-13).
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.
