WHITEHALL — The West Michigan Conference tournament had a new venue Friday - the Viking Athletic Center - but the same result, as Whitehall took home the league championship for the 9th season in a row.
The Vikings scored 270.5 points, outpacing second-place Hart by 62.5. Montague posted 94 points and finished seventh of the 13 competing schools.
Of Whitehall’s 14 wrestlers, 13 placed in the top four and 10 reached the finals. Vikings Kolten Weiler, Gavin Craner and Blake Morningstar won all their matches by pin to earn weight-class championships at 113, 175 and 215 pounds respectively. Ryne Christensen, Ryan Goodrich and Darnell Mack picked up titles at 138, 150 and 165 respectively. Nolan Taranko added a title at 126.
Runners-up for the Vikings were Cody Manzo (106), Max Krukowski (120) and Jason Smith (285). Liam Leeke (144) and Blake English (157) finished in third, and Caden Varela (132) placed fourth.
Chris Aebig led the Wildcats’ effort in the tournament, taking the top spot at 132. Jimmy Thommen (120) and Isaac French (190) took third place.
