Four Hornets Move on to Regional Mats

TEMPERANCE — Four Hornets still have hopes of marching in the state finals parade at The Palace of Auburn Hills March 3-5 after their performances at Saturday’s individual district at Bedford.

Adam Bruley, Ryan Boxeth, Nate O’Sullivan and Alex Cornelius, all sophomores, finished in the top four in their weight class at the MHSAA Division 1 Individual District 4-1.

O’Sullivan lost in the championship match to take second place in his district weight class.

Bruley, Boxeth and Cornelius all finished fourth in their division after losing in the district consolation finals match.

The higher a wrestler finishes in district, the better seed he has in next Saturday’s regional. The top four in each weight class at the regional qualify for the state meet at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Nate O’Sullivan (45-9) lost a 7-1 decision to Evan Guffey of Wyandotte-Roosevelt in the 125-pound championship match. He had a bye in the opening round and then defeated Lincoln Park’s Roberto Davis with a pin in the second round. O’Sullivan won a tough 4-3 decision over Woodhaven’s Devin Foster in the semifinals.

Bruley lost a 3-1 decision to Josh Hagar of Monroe in the 112-pound consolation finals.  Bruley (37-13) opened his day with a bye and then defeated Wyandotte-Roosevelt’s Ben Maday by pin in just 28 seconds. Bruley lost by a 6-0 decision to Wyandotte-Roosevelt’s Cade Barwig in the semifinals. Needing a win to keep his season alive, Bruley defeated Westland John Glenn’s Quinn Dupraw with a 20-5 Tec Fall to reach the final four.

Boxeth lost a 6-3 decision to Lincoln Park’s Jake Jones in the 119-pound consolation finals. Boxeth (37-22) opened his day with a 15-0 Tec Fall over Ypsilanti-Lincoln’s Kyle Lombombarbe. Boxeth then defeated Southgate Anderson’s Raven Schmitt in the second round with a pin at 4:58. Boxeth’s hopes for a district title were dashed when he was edged 7-6 in the semifinal by Pioneer’s Keegan Pape. Boxeth won a 4-2 decision over Bedford’s Bryce Davis to reach the consolation final.

Cornelius lost a 12-1 decision to Monroe’s Steve Johnson in the 130-pound consolation finals. Cornelius (35-23) opened with a pin of Belleville’s Josh Vandeyer at 3:37. Monroe’s Steve Johnson beat Cornelius 6-1 in round two. Cornelius kept his season alive by defeating Wayne Memorial’s Allen Parker with a pin at 4:40, and then defeating Bedford’s Mason Allison in a 5-3 overtime decision.

At 160, Saline’s Andrew Butcko won his opening match, 5-1, over Westland John Glenn’s Sam Ekanen. Butcko lost 13-5 to eventual champion Caleb Wilson, of Southgate Anderson. Butcko’s season ended with a 7-2 loss to Bellville’s Zach Juchartz.

At 189, sophomore Jason Anthony won his first match, 7-4, over Wayne Memorial’s Nate Cavanaugh. He lost to Pioneer’s Alex Kinch in the quarterfinals, 8-2 and then fell 4-1 to Inkster’s Joseph Chatman.

The individual regional tournament takes place Saturday at Saline.

The Hornets team will battle host Southgate Anderson Wednesday.