LocalSportsJournal.com

WILLIAMSTON — The Mason County Central wrestling team knew it faced long odds Saturday when the Spartans traveled to Williamston for the Jim Mooney Classic. 

The tournament was packed with highly ranked individuals including, including several No, 1’s, and many returning state medalists and qualifiers.

Williamston was the match winner.

“You get to see how you do against elite athletes, because techniques that work every day against practice partners of wrestlers at local tournaments don’t necessarily work the same against the top guys in the state,” said Spartans coach Kendel Trim. “These types of matches help us to know where we are and fix mistakes against high end competitors. It helps us to prepare to win those matches in March at the state meet.”  

Zane McCabe, senior 132-pounder (22-7, No. 7 in D3), finished the highest for the Spartans on the day. 

He lost in the semifinals to Josh Vasquez of Grandville (No. 1 in D1) before defeating Cellyon Benning of Lansing Everett by technical fall, 15-0, to finish third.   

Hunter Sanford, junior 126-pounder (23-5, No. 13 in D3) finished fourth. After defeating Toby Buckland of Grand Ledge to get into the medal rounds where he was defeated by Quinton Everett (No. 6 in D3) of Chesaning and Kersten McClelland (No. 8 in D3) of Yale.   

“We lost some matches today, but we come down here to have those types of matches,” Trim added. “Hunter could see those same wrestlers again at the state meet. Both of Zane’s matches were against Division 1 wrestlers, but we will see wrestlers of that quality. These types of matches help us to know where we are and fix mistakes against high end competitors. 

“It helps us to prepare to win those matches in March at the state meet.”   

Brayden Overmyer, senior 150-pounder, and William Thomsen, freshman 138-pounder, also won two matches on the day. 

“Both of these guys wrestled well and are showing improvement,” Trim said. “Brayden wrestles better almost every time he steps on the mat. He has really expanded his technical arsenal.” 

Central’s next match is against Whitehall and Shelby at Whitehall this Wednesday.