Unbeaten Sims Crowned District Champ, Leads Five Big Reds to Regionals

Led by undefeated senior Tim Sims, the Milan Big Reds will send five wrestlers to next week’s regional tournament.

Sims went 3-0 at Dexter High School Saturday to capture the 152-pound weight class title at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual District Tournament. He’ll join seniors RJ Gaskill and Matt Schultz and juniors Dillon Farrell and Chris Gaskill at the individual regional to be held at Mason High School Saturday. The top four in every weight class will go on to MHSAA state finals tournament at The Palace of Auburn Hills March 3-5.

Sims, 53-0 this season, had a bye in the first round. He defeated Milan teammate Carson Zois by pin in 43 seconds in the first round. In the semifinal, he earned a 19-4 Tec Fall over Fowlerville’s Arik Fluegel. In the championship round, Sims defeated Dexter’s Drew Barnes, 11-4.

RJ Gaskill, 45-8, had a bye in the first round of the 160-pound bracket. He defeated Chelsea’s Matt Lindauer by pin in 1:47 in the quarterfinals. Gaskill suffered a setback in the semifinals, losing to Haslett’s Devin Smyth, 7-4. With his season on the line, Gaskill defeated Jackson Northwest’s Nathan Schwartz with a pin in 1:31. Gaskill won the consolation final with a 12-2 decision over Monroe Jefferson’s Kyle Pudoli.

Farrell, 18-3, went 4-1 in the 145-pound weight class to finish third on the day. Farrell opened with a 15-1 major decision over Fowlerville’s Dan Pringle.  In the quarterfinals, he pinned Fowlerville’s Grant Hammon in 2:44. In the semifinals, Farrell lost to Adrian’s Matt Gavlan in a close, 6-4 decision. Farrell went back to work in the loser’s bracket, picking up an 8-1 decision over Carlton Airport’s Bryan Reyes.  He clinched third place by pinning Ypsilanti’s James Andrew in 2:23.

Two other Big Reds going to regional will be nursing injuries.

Schultz, wrestling at 215, had a bye in the opening round. He defeated Carlton Airport’s Thomas Durst with a pin in 40 seconds in the quarterfinals. Schultz was edged 3-2 in the semifinals by Ypsilanti’s Trey Sweeny. In the blood round — winner goes on, loser goes home — Schultz toughed out a 2-0 decision over Tecumseh’s Joe Rebottaro. Schultz, 45-6, took an injury default in the consolation final, and placed fourth.

Also placing fourth was Chris Gaskill in the 171-pound class. Gaskill opened the day by pinning Parma Western’s Brady Hoffman in 2:15. In the quarterfinals, he lost to South Lyon East’s Jacob Haddad, 5-0. Gaskill won his blood round match with a 7-1 decision over Fowlerville’s Jordan Jabara.  He lost a 15-4 major decision to Chelsea’s Mike Hovater in the consolation final to finish fourth.

Coach Clint Kraft was satisfied with his team’s performance.

“I thought we did pretty well. We got five through to regionals. I was thinking we were going to get somewhere between four and six,” Kraft said.

Kraft continues to be impressed by Sims.

“He’s wrestling outstanding and he’s getting as the year goes on, so it’s nice to see him peak at the right time,” Kraft said.

Kraft said his hard working team has benefited from having so many good wrestlers.

“I think with Sims and Farrell and Schultz and the Gaskills going at each other every day in the room, they’re all better because of it,” he said.