Wrestling team advances to state competition, falls to Bronson

Manchester Wrestlers at Team States Feb. 25-27

“It has been another outstanding year for the Flying Dutchmen wrestling team, as we finished the season with a 22-7 record,” said coach Steve Vlcek. “This was a very young team as we had 13 freshmen who all contributed to our success. This group will be our future for sure.”

Those freshmen were Onyx Ostrom, Nathan Meyer, Brady Reed, Bubba Duffing, Adam Grebe, Gunner Carson, Drake Neff, Brody Alexa, Nathan Fletcher, Ash Howard, Sean Sayer, Thomas Gautz, and Dylan Gauss.

Vlcek said that the team’s sophomores, Dominick Kelley, Zach Jarels, and Austin Pomorski, also really matured from last year. “We are looking for big things next year from these guys,” he said.

Of the two juniors on the team, only Mason Schmitt was able to compete, as Ben Gautz had been sidelined due to injury. Seniors, Jacob Bunn, Jared Bunn, and Garett Pope have been “great contributors all four years” according to Vlcek.

The team itself won the Bad Axe Tournament and placed high in three others. They continued a league win streak to 15 years and the District streak to 17 years — both great achievements.

“We also claimed our 12th regional title, which qualified us for the State meet,” Vlcek said. “At the State meet we lost to a very good Bronson team, but overall it was a great way for our team to finish out the season. The team is very excited for the future as our young squad will work hard to keep the streaks going and give us another shot at Team State.”

Vlcek concluded by saying this year was a great way for the seniors to finish their team wrestling careers, making them three-time Team State qualifiers. Congratulations, wrestlers!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.