From Manistee News Advocate Staff Report

FRANKFORT — After more than two weeks off from competition, the Manistee High School co-op wrestling team looked anything but rusty by taking second place out of 12 teams in an individual tournament on Saturday at Frankfort.  “With that many schools there, I was really happy with second place,” said Manistee coach Chris Codden. “It was a good day.”

The Chippewas had eight different wrestlers take home medals to go with the team trophy. Kingsley took first place.

Codden said he thinks it’s the first team trophy Manistee has earned since 2005.  "It’s kind of a long span between trophies,” he said. “It gives you a measuring stick of where the team is going.”

The Chippewas were also without three of their regular wrestlers and needed others to fill in. Some were able to win matches, while others helped the team out by lasting multiple periods, improving the team score.  “To see my other kids step up was pretty impressive,” Codden said.

The top Chippewa finisher was Nick Carter, who took first place at 125 pounds. The first-year wrestler went 3-0 on the day. “Very impressive,” Codden said. “He’s got tenacity. It’s just sheer will that kids can’t hold him down.”

Manistee wrestlers pose with their trophy and individual medals after taking second place out of 12 schools in an individual meet on Saturday at Frankfort. (Photo courtesy of Dave Bailey)

Manistee had three different wrestlers finish second — Caleb Bailey (2-1 at 119), Luke Fogarty (3-1 at 145 pounds) and Raul Torres (3-1 at heavyweight)

Alex Meyers (1-1 at 103), Tucker Bruce (2-1 at 130 pounds) and Tyler Fogarty (3-1 at 140) all finished third, while Zach Paine (2-2 at heavyweight) placed fourth.

Brandon Morrill (1-2 at 152) took fifth, while Brian Fisk (1-2 at 112), Drew Peters (1-2 at 160) and Alex Waterman (1-2 at 215) all placed sixth.

Jesse Kelley won a rat tail match at 145 and finished 1-2, while Kara Gunia (119) Dakota Girard (135), Marie Digna (171) and Nathan Rybicki (189) all went 0-2. Ariel Tomaszewski (135) and Felicia Senn (160) both lost their only matches of the day.