Three Tigers place at state finals

Zac Holmes, in blue, claimed fifth-place at the state meet March 4-6. Photos By Kelly Stanley AUBURN HILLS — Five Bendle wrestlers advanced to the state individual wrestling finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Zac Holmes, Andrew McCarthy and Sean Allen placed in their respective divisions, while Joey LaRose and Jake Gerow came up short in their bid for All-State honors.

LaRose, competing in the 112 lb. weight class, opened the tournament with a 12-3 decision over Cameron Jones of Iron Mountain. Next up for the senior was Chase Lewis of Blissfield, who defeated LaRose, 7-2. Webberville’s Drew Richard defeated LaRose, 9-7, to end the Tigers’ season short of the medal round.

Gerow wrestling at 152 lbs., lost his opening match to eventual state champion Devan Marry of Hudson by pin. Dropping into the consolation bracket, Gerow next faced Zack MacKeller of Decatur where his season ended on an 8-3 decision.

Bendle’s Joey LaRose missed the podium at the state meet, winning his first bout, but losing the next two. 125 lb. Holmes opened his tournament run with a bang by beating Travis Martin of Hartford, 7-5, and Frank Stepnowski of Reading, 10-8. Next up was eventual state champion Zeb Hilyard of Hudson, who pinned Holmes in the second period. In the consolation semifinals, Holmes faced off with Laith Francis of Westland losing, 8-5. Holmes then beat Evan Lamb of Rogers City to claim a fifth place finish.

McCarthy pinned Dustin Uminn of Martin in their 140 lb. match to open the tournament. Next up for the Tiger senior was Kyle Fletcher of Addison, who won, 9-3, and would become the eventual state champion. Having dropped into the consolation bracket, McCarthy tangled with Johnny Woollams of Manchester, defeating him, 12- 2, to secure a top eight finish. Henry Kokenakes of Clinton defeated McCarthy, 2-0 in overtime, before Nate Bowen of Mendon bested him, 8-4, to earn McCarthy an eighth place finish.

171 lb. senior Sean Allen suffered a surprising first round loss to Joe Ostman by pin. Allen was determined to wrestle back to place by rattling off five straight victories to finish third. Allen pinned Eric Hemker of Quincy, beat Rob Stamats of Clinton, 12-2, bested Dylan Radabaugh of Grass Lake, 6-3, pinned Joe Isbrecht, and narrowly beat Taylor Copes of New Lothrop to cap off a great tournament run for the Tigers.