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Marquette Senior High School wins 1st MHSAA Division 2 team district wrestling title since ‘99

Richard Weycker of Marquette, on mat, puts Escanaba’s Derick Gould onto his shoulders on Wednesday during their 140-pound match at the team district tournament championship match in Escanaba. Weycker posted an 8-6 decision. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Dennis Grall)

ESCANABA — It was fun while it lasted, but Escanaba’s 10-year reign as district wrestling champion ended abruptly Wednesday night in a 63-15 loss to the Marquette Redmen in an MHSAA Division 2 team district tournament championship match.

Marquette recorded seven pins while earning its first team district title since 1999.

“This obviously means a lot for our program,” Marquette coach Tony Gentz said. “This is something these kids will look back on.

“Hopefully, this will be a motivator for our younger kids. We’re so green. Ten of our starters are first-year wrestlers. If this group can stick together, it could mean even more good things for our program. I couldn’t be happier for them.”

The victory sends Marquette to the team regional at Petoskey where it will face Gaylord in Wednesday’s opening round.

Beau Caster of Marquette, top, recorded his 150th career victory pinning Escanaba's Braden Olsen in their 189-pound match on Wednesday at Escanaba during the team district wrestling tournament. Official Dave Gagnon watches the match. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Dennis Grall)

The Redmen mathematically eliminated the Eskymos in the 189-pound match in which senior Beau Caster pinned Braden Olsen in 72 seconds for his 150th career victory and a 45-6 advantage.

“Beau is invaluable to our team,” Gentz said. “He has been a great leader who also helps the other kids on the team. One hundred fifty wins is pretty awesome. He’s the first one from our school to accomplish that.”

Marquette’s advantage reached 57-6 on a forfeit at 285.

Esky freshman Justin Mathieson (103) then used a late takedown to gain a 4-2 victory over Joe Legrou and junior teammate Simon Chouinard (112) pinned Ben Sternschuss in 1:48.

In the night’s final bout, Marquette’s Collin Fure pinned Brayden Lundquist in 1:23.

Marquette won the first three matches by pin for a quick 18-0 lead and added three points in the 140 match as Richard Weycker hung on for an 8-6 triumph over Derick Gould.

“When we looked at the matchups, we thought we could hang with them,” Esky coach Jeff Wright said. “They were ready for us and did what they had to do. They jumped out 18-0 right away, which gave them a lot of momentum. They bopped us on the nose good.”

Junior Ean Bevins (145) got the Eskymos on the board by pinning Darren Holman in 74 seconds.

In the opener, Marquette took advantage of seven forfeits in a 57-19 conquest of Sault Ste. Marie.

All three teams are entered in Saturday’s individual district tourney at Gaylord.

“At least the season isn’t completely over,” Wright said. “It’s nice to have that second chance.”

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