State Finals Homepage: Eight head to Ford Field, Abby Affholter to sing National Anthem

Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News
·9 min read
State qualifiers Lukas Strine and Eathan Westfall are a part of a legacy of Rangers who represent the success of the past, present and future of Reading wrestling. Pictured (from left to right): Elijah Strine, Lukas Strine, Isaac Westfall, head coach Mark Draper, Eathan Westfall and Noah Strine. Not Pictured: Senior state qualifier Hunter Dewey.
State qualifiers Lukas Strine and Eathan Westfall are a part of a legacy of Rangers who represent the success of the past, present and future of Reading wrestling. Pictured (from left to right): Elijah Strine, Lukas Strine, Isaac Westfall, head coach Mark Draper, Eathan Westfall and Noah Strine. Not Pictured: Senior state qualifier Hunter Dewey.

Eight county wrestlers qualified for the 2022-23 Wrestling Individual State Finals at Ford Field. Several wrestlers look to earn all-state medals and possibly more. Another wrestler looks to win the first state championship in school history. Two wrestlers who are brothers head to the championship together, hoping to place in both of their weight classes. Two wrestlers travel together for the second year in a row to the finals. Another wrestler continues a family legacy that has sent multiple wrestlers to the finals for the same school. A wrestler in his first ever-season in the sport will look to make waves in his weight class. One sophomore from a county school will sing the national anthem in front of a crowd of thousands on championship Saturday.

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Read about each storyline heading into the tournament, previews of the brackets and stay up to date on the wrestlers as they continue to battle over the two-day finals. This homepage is exclusive coverage for Hillsdale County. Full results and live match assignments can be found at trackwrestling.com. The finals can be streamed on networks such as NFHS with a subscription.

Head coach Mark Draper had three state finalists this season and numerous senior wrestlers make it to regionals.
Head coach Mark Draper had three state finalists this season and numerous senior wrestlers make it to regionals.

Track the Tournament Live: Click Here

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Preview

Ranger sophomore Abby Affholter to sing national anthem on championship day

Ranger student-athlete Abby Affholter has been selected to sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the opening of day two of the State Finals at Ford Field.  At 8:30 a.m. Abby will kick the event off by singing our National Anthem.  Abby, along with our band instructor Josh Shollar, submitted a demo CD and was selected to sing by the MHSAA. Following Affholter's national anthem, the tournament's championship rounds will begin on Saturday, March 4. Below this story, fans will find the latest up-to-date results for each county wrestler as the tournament goes on. Updates will be made every hour starting Friday, March 3.

The Hornet wrestling team, led by head coach Nate Spieth (left) sends all three of their regional qualifiers (John and Stephen Petersen and Wyatt Wahtola) to the state finals on March 3rd.
The Hornet wrestling team, led by head coach Nate Spieth (left) sends all three of their regional qualifiers (John and Stephen Petersen and Wyatt Wahtola) to the state finals on March 3rd.

Petersen Brothers look to bring home hardware for Hornet Wrestling

See Also: Hillsdale Regional Results

Junior Stephen Petersen returns to Ford Field for another shot at all-state medals. This year, he brings along his younger brother, John Petersen, whose path to the finals has included a district title and a second place regional final finish.

The brothers are two of the Hornets' three finalists for the 2022-23 season. Hornet sophomore Wyatt Wahtola will join them after taking fourth at the regional finals. Wahtola will battle in the heavyweight class in Division 3. The sophomore Hornet joined the Hornet wrestling program this season. It is his first season of wrestling in his athletic career. The sophomore has been able to gain experience and improve in each tournament, and it paid off with a big pinfall win over Clinton's heavyweight grappler at regionals.

Wahtola and the Petersen's will be joined by the Hornet coaching staff led by head coach Nate Spieth. The Hornet wrestling program has seen an influx of recruits and achievements this season. The youth club had a record number of participants this year. At the High School level, the team received Team Academic All-State Honors. Their "Brick by Brick" motto has begun to pay off, and the Hornets could have three wrestlers battle their way to championship Saturday.

Wahtola enters the tournament with an 18-21 record. Wahtola will have a tough tournament start ahead, with his first matchup seeded against Devihn Wichlacz of Cheboygan. The wrestler enters the D3 tournament with a 44-1 record. The winner will go against the winner of Waylon Lingeman and Christian Beebe of Millington. Lingeman enters the tournament with a 43-2 record and Beebe has a record of 23-15.

Hornet John Petersen enters the 215-pound D3 weight class with a 19-4 record. Petersen will match up with wrestler Blake LaLonde, who enters the tournament with a 51-4 record. The winner faces Bryce Benard or Elizin Rouse in the quarterfinals.

Hornet Stephen Petersen wrestles in the 175 pound weight class. The junior will be batched up with Gavin Craner of Belding. Petersen has a 26-8 record and Craner has a 50-4 record. The winner moves on to the quarterfinals, where they will face either 50-3 Luke Martin of Tawas or 28-15 Paul Stanczak of Armada.

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Comet senior Derek Ballinger takes second place at the regional finals, qualifying for his third state finals appearance.
Comet senior Derek Ballinger takes second place at the regional finals, qualifying for his third state finals appearance.

Two Jonesville wrestlers make back-to-back season appearances at Ford Field

See Also: Jonesville Regional Results

Junior Tyler Milks and senior Derek Ballinger qualified for the 2021-22 state finals in their last season. They were the Comet representatives at the D3 state tournament. This year, the duo qualified again for the state finals after strong finishes at their regional tournament. The state finals brackets will look different for the Comet seniors this year, who will wrestle in Division 4 instead of Division 3.

Jonesville wrestler Tyler Milks (right) took fourth place in his weight class to qualify for the 2023 state finals.
Jonesville wrestler Tyler Milks (right) took fourth place in his weight class to qualify for the 2023 state finals.

Tiler Milks battles in the 132-pound weight class. His first match on Friday will be against Turlough Bennett of Marlette. Bennett enters the tournament with a 42-2 record. Milks enters the finals with a 24-11 record. The winner moves on to the quarterfinals against Hudson's Beckkett McCaskey or Elliot Corrigan.

Senior Derek Ballinger wrestles in his final tournament under his head coach, and older brother, Carter Ballinger. Ballinger enters the tournament with a 26-7 record. Reed Vanwormer will match up with the Comet in round one on Friday. The Perry Wrestler enters the tournament with a 21-11 record. The winner moves on to the quarterfinals to take on either Cass City's Cameron Gottschalk or Ryder Holmes.

Ranger family legacy propels Reading's wrestling program in the state finals

See Also: Reading Regional Results

All season, we have reported on the numerous family ties and linage tied to the Reading wrestling program. All of that history and commitment to the Ranger program paid off this season with a record number of regional qualifiers, three district individual titles, and potentially state championships.

Ranger senior Hunter Dewey earned his 100th career victory this season. In addition to that accomplishment, the Ranger qualified again for the state finals tournament after finishing fourth in regionals two seasons in a row. The Ranger heads into the tournament with a 36-12 overall record. He will be matched up against fellow Big 8 126-pound wrestler Perry Lake of Bronson. Lake enters the tournament with a 44-6 overall record. The winner moves on to the quarterfinals on Friday, where they will either face Laythan Haworth of St. Louis or Jericho Holmes of Pine River.

Ranger Lukas Strine and his brothers Elijah, Noah and Thomas Strine (not pictured) all have qualified for the state finals for Reading.
Ranger Lukas Strine and his brothers Elijah, Noah and Thomas Strine (not pictured) all have qualified for the state finals for Reading.

Ranger sophomore Lukas Strine qualified for his first state tournament. The Ranger heads to Ford Field looking to continue his family legacy with the program and place in the top eight in his weight class. Strine has three brothers who have wrestled for the Reading Rangers. Elijah, Noah and Thomas Strine all wrestled and made it to the state finals for Reading. Strine continues that legacy. He will wrestle in the D4 175 pound weight class. The Ranger enters the tournament with a 25-15 record and will wrestle Brady Jess, 46-3, of Charlevoix. The winner moves on to the quarterfinals to face CJ Copeland of Lakeview or Gavin Hart of Schoolcraft.

Reading senior Eathan Westfall looks to gain a state title. He is pictured here with his younger brother Isaac Westfall, who went 13-0 in his middle school season.
Reading senior Eathan Westfall looks to gain a state title. He is pictured here with his younger brother Isaac Westfall, who went 13-0 in his middle school season.

At 285 pounds, senior Eathan Westfall looks to complete a perfect season. The three-time state finalist and three-time regional champion enters the 2022-23 finals looking to win a state title. The 41-0 Ranger is the number one seeded wrestler. After earning 100 career wins and 100 career pins, the Ranger looks to continue adding to his career totals and hopes to become the school's first state champion. His path to the title starts with Caleb Gepford, 35-20, from Pine River in round one. The winner of that matchup heads to the quarterfinals to face 39-4 Braydon Ross of Decatur or 35-15 Ramon Anguiano.

Track the Tournament Live: Click Here

Watch the Tournament Live: Click Here

Live Results

Track the Tournament Live: Click Here

Watch the Tournament Live: Click Here

Stephen Petersen - Hillsdale Wrestling

Stephen Petersen (26-9) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Gavin Craner (Belding Area HS) 51-4 won by major decision over Stephen Petersen (Hillsdale HS) 26-9 (MD 14-2)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Stephen Petersen (Hillsdale HS) 27-9 won by decision over Paul Stanczak (Armada HS) 28-17 (Dec 12-8)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Wyatt Jenkins (Whitehall HS) 50-7 won by decision over Stephen Petersen (Hillsdale HS) 27-10 (Dec 7-5)

John Petersen - Hillsdale Wrestling

  • Champ. Round 1 - John Petersen (Hillsdale HS) 20-4 won by decision over Blake LaLonde (LakeVille Memorial HS) 51-5 (Dec 4-1)

  • Quarterfinal - Elizin Rouse (Kingsford HS) 33-4 won by decision over John Petersen (Hillsdale HS) 20-5 (Dec 8-2)

  • Cons. Round 2 - John Petersen (Hillsdale HS) 21-5 won in tie breaker - 1 over Phillip McLaurin (Brandywine HS) 41-10 (TB-1 2-1)

Wyatt Wahtola - Hillsdale Wrestling

  • Champ. Round 1 - Devihn Wichlacz (Cheboygan Area HS) 45-1 won by fall over Wyatt Wahtola (Hillsdale HS) 18-22 (Fall 1:15)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Christian Beebe (Millington HS) 24-16 won by fall over Wyatt Wahtola (Hillsdale HS) 18-23 (Fall 2:12)

Derek Ballinger - Jonesville Wrestling

  • Champ. Round 1 - Derek Ballinger (Jonesville HS) 27-7 won by major decision over Reed Vanwormer (Perry HS) 21-13 (MD 13-4)

  • Quarterfinal - Derek Ballinger (Jonesville HS) 28-7 won by decision over Ryder Holmes (Pine River Area HS) 47-5 (Dec 11-8)

Tyler Milks - Jonesville Wrestling

  • Champ. Round 1 - Turlough Bennett (Marlette HS) 43-2 won by fall over Tyler Milks (Jonesville HS) 25-12 (Fall 2:20)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Tyler Milks (Jonesville HS) 25-12 won by fall over Elliot Corrigan (Bark River-Harris HS) 12-8 (Fall 4:56)

Hunter Dewey - Reading Wrestling

  • Champ. Round 1 - Perry Lake (Bronson HS) 45-6 won by decision over Hunter Dewey (Reading HS) 37-13 (Dec 4-2)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Hunter Dewey (Reading HS) 37-13 won by fall over Laythan Haworth (St Louis HS) 34-15 (Fall 3:31)

  • Cons. Round 2 - David Fielder (Hanover-Horton) 41-6 won by decision over Hunter Dewey (Reading HS) 37-14 (Dec 8-6)

Lukas Strine - Reading Wrestling

  • Champ. Round 1 - Brady Jess (Charlevoix HS) 47-3 won by decision over Lukas Strine (Reading HS) 25-16 (Dec 8-4)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Gavin Hart (Schoolcraft HS) 26-13 won by decision over Lukas Strine (Reading HS) 25-17 (Dec 11-6

Eathan Westfall - Reading Wrestling

  • Champ. Round 1 - Eathan Westfall (Reading HS) 42-0 won by fall over Caleb Gepford (Pine River Area HS) 35-21 (Fall 0:54)

  • Quarterfinal - Eathan Westfall (Reading HS) 43-0 won by fall over Braydon Ross (Decatur HS) 40-5 (Fall 1:51)

  • Semifinal - Eathan Westfall (Reading HS) 44-0 won by fall over Noah Iobe (Mendon HS) 44-8 (Fall 1:44)

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This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Ford Field results for county wrestlers from the individual state finals