'Everybody doubted us': Climax-Scotts/Martin wrestlers shock New Lothrop in state quarters

New Lothrop was favored. It had the experience. It had the big-time wrestlers. The Hornets had an undefeated record.

All the tiny schools of Climax-Scotts and Martin had were each other.

Turns out that was enough.

The Climax-Scotts/Martin co-op wrestling team upset unbeaten New Lothrop, 38-29, in the Division 4 state quarterfinals in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Team Wrestling Finals at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo on Friday.

The dream season came to an end Saturday morning ain the state semifinals at the hands of No. 1-ranked Hudson, 51-12. But that loss certainly didn't diminish what the program had achieved with its unlikely win in the quarterfinals.

MORE: Stronger together, the Climax-Scotts/Martin co-op chases team wrestling title

"I don't know for sure, but this has to be the first time a co-pp program like ours went out and beat a team like New Lothrop," Climax-Scotts/Martin co-head coach Jason Wade said. "Our combined enrollments of our two schools, we are still smaller than a lot of schools out here. But we just wanted the opportunity, we wanted a chance against one of those teams that are there every year. We wanted to be in that mix and show what we could do.

"For this accomplishment to happen, for our two small communities, this just a great experience for the kids."

New Lothrop came into the quarterfinals at 17-0 and ranked No. 2 in the final state wrestling poll. The Hornets have won 15 team state titles and have been runners-up eight times, including the past two seasons and four of the past six.

All of those credentials didn't bother the No. 5-ranked Climax-Scotts/Martin Hybrids, as they call themselves, in their first appearance in the state team finals since 2015.

"They are the powerhouse. They were runners-up last year. People had us losing by 26 points," said Climax-Scotts/Martin sophomore Logan Gilbert. "Nobody thought we had a chance. But we all came together and it was just amazing. We took them down and now we are moving on."

The key to the win was getting the toss-up matches to go their way, according to the coaching staff.

New Lothrop jumped up to a 14-0 lead through the first three weight classes before Gilbert, a defending individual state champ, earned a pin at 106 pounds for Climax-Scotts/Martin. And, after the second win of the day, with C-S/Martin's Kristian Heighton getting a pin at 113 pounds, Lane thought this just might be a day to remember.

"We won some toss-up matches, and that was the key," Lane said. "The one at 113 was a big one. We lost to that kid earlier in the year and we got a pin this time. That was huge."

Climax-Scotts/Martin earned wins by Jayce Ritchie (126) and Haylen Buell (132), but still trailed 29-20 going into the last four matches. But an overtime 4-2 win by Jack Bagwell at 150 set things in motion for the comeback.

"I thought I could win, but didn't know it was going to be that close," Bagwell said. "But coach came up to me and the three others after me, and told us, if we all won, we would win this. So I was excited I got the win."

Lane added, "The overtime win at 150 was huge ... Jack Bagwell, love the kid. He has wrestled since he was 5. Really didn't have a lot of success until the last few years. But he kept grinding and he came up big when it counted the most."

Climax-Scotts/Martin did sweep the final four matches of the dual with Malcolm Smith getting a decision at 157 and Aden Chambers getting a pin at 165 to give C-S/Martin the lead at 32-29. Then JR Hildenbrand finished things off with a pin at 175 to set off the quarterfinal victory celebration.

"Everybody doubted us, except for us coaches, the wrestlers and our fans," Lane said. "We went out and wrestled our butts off and won."

Division 4 Quarterfinals

In other action at the MHSAA Team Finals in Division 4, Bronson defeated Manchester, 39-19, in Friday's quarterfinals and then topped St. Louis, 38-29 in Saturday morning's semifinals. The Vikings were to face Hudson for the state championship on Saturday afternoon, which was after deadline for this edition.

The Vikings had 12 wrestlers in their lineup on Friday that also qualified for the MHSAA state individual championships. Getting wins in the dual against Manchester included Jacob Dixon (190), Matthew Blankenship (215), Jayden Post (285), Aiden Fill (113), Perry Lake (126), Logan Long (132), Layne Knisely (138), Drew Seekman (150), Carson Norton (165) and Jacob Britten (175).

Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Climax-Scotts/Martin shocks state power in team wrestling quarterfinals