On Wednesday, Feb. 14th Clinton Wrestling traveled to Williamston High School for the third time this season for the MHSAA Team Regional Semi Final and Finals.  Clinton took on Williamston in the opening semi final round and came away with a dominant win 64-9 to advance to the Regional Final.  In the other semi final Eaton Rapids and Napoleon came down to the final match of the night with Napoleon advancing to the Regional Final against Clinton.  

In the match with Williamston the officials randomly drew 120 pounds as the starting weight class.  Clinton sent out freshman Joe Hodges to get the night started.  Joe picked up a first period pin for the Redwolves.  Braylon Long continued the momentum with a  pin at 126 pounds.  Connor Younts picked up a major decision at 132 pounds winning 17-5. Maurice Ames picked up a first period pin at 138 pounds to make the score Clinton 22 Williamston 0.  Senior Dylan Badge competed well and came away with a hard fought win at 144 pounds, winning 7-3.  At 150 pounds Cliff Jones suffered a setback and lost a close 0-1 decision as he was unable to get his offense going during the match.  At 157 pounds Tanner Bolton picked up another win 8-3 as he continues to improve coming back from an injury in football.  At 165 pounds Bryce Randolph picked up the pin for the Redwolves to make the score Clinton 34 Williamston 3.  John Keibler earned a pin at 175 pounds for his team to continue the momentum.  Landon Lakatos picked up a win at 190 pounds as well.  Freshman Chance Maddox stepped in at 215 pounds and suffered a loss, but was ready for the challenge.  Hamza Rafferty earned  a quick pin at heavyweight, followed by pins from Nate Arntz at 106, and Zach Taylor at 113.  Final score was Clinton 64 Williamston 9

In the MHSAA Regional Finals Clinton took on the other regional semi final winner Napoleon.  Napoleon had several wrestlers back in their lineup from earlier in the season and bumped around to take as many weight classes as possible, but it just wasn't enough as Clinton defeated Napoleon for the Regional Championship 50-25.  The match started at 126 pounds and junior Braylon Long earned a first period pin to get the momentum going for the Redwolves.  Connor Younts and Maurice Ames both picked up first period pins at 132 and 138 pounds respectively.  Dylan Badge picked up a major decision at 144 pounds winning 11-2.  Cliff Jones got back on track as he picked up a first period pin at 150 pounds.  At 157 pounds Tanner Bolton dropped his match, before Bryce Randolph put the team back in the win column with a 8-0 major decision win.  Landon Lakatos stepped in and battled for the team at 175 pounds and only gave up a major decision against an all state wrestler.  His loss was a win for the team, as he saved the two two points by not getting pinned.  Will Hawkins dropped his match at 190 pounds before Wyatt Hicks competed hard at 215 and lost 1-3 in a great match.  Hamza Rafferty came up big again as they bumped up a kid to defeat him and he came away with a pin for the Redwolves.  Clinton 38 Napoleon 19.  Nate Anrtz picked up a first period pin at 106 pounds and Zach Taylor picked up a first period pin as well at 113 pounds.  Joe Hodges was the last match of the night at 120 pounds, but came up short to finish the dual.  Final score Clinton 50 Napoleon 25.  This is Clinton's 8th regional championship in a row and 9th in 11 years.  

The team will travel to Kalamazoo K Wings Stadium on Friday, Feb. 23rd at 4:30 to compete in the state quarter finals.  The brackets and seeds will be announced on Sunday, Feb. 18th.  With a win in the quarterfinals the Redwolves would compete in the state semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 24th at noon and the finals at 3:45pm.  We look forward to seeing a large contingent from Clinton in support of your 4th ranked Redwolves as they go after their third state championship.  See you at K Wings Stadium.