Local Wrestlers Raise Funds During First ANNUAL Charity Dual Meet

HOLLAND, MI

West Michigan wrestling cam together this Friday to wrestle for some good causes. Myrmidon Wrestling Club hosted their first annual Charity dual at West Ottawa High School. They we bested in 10 matches against Southwest Arsenal 142-44. Arsenal, a travel team based in Battle Creek, helped make this event unique for several reasons. All proceeds ($730.00) from the admission went directly to two charities.  First, the Dante Latora Scholarship Fund, named after the late wrestler from Portage Central that passed away this spring. The other charity was Pinning Down Autism, a charitable organization whose mission is to respond and address the immediate needs of children and their families within our local communities that are affected by autism and to promote education and awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder’s. ​

Also unique to the event was the format of the matches. In an effort to encourage a resurgence of Olympic Style wrestling into the West Michigan area, the matches were "Frecko", an adapted set of Freestyle/Folkstyle/Greco-Roman rules. First period was augmented Folkstyle, second period augmented Greco Roman, and third period augmented Freestyle rules. As far as team scoring is concerned, the NCWA Optional Team Scoring was implemented, This was used to encourage wrestling throughout a match, and all wrestlers contributed to the team even in an individual loss. 

The highlight of the night was the second match featuring Jace Garza (Holland West Ottawa) versus Bryce Bust (Battle Creek Lakeview). Garza upset the 2017 MHSAA D1 State Finalist 14-9, avenging his lost earlier this year to him during the regular season at the Individual Regional at Pickney, MI.

RESULTS
Matthew Vongphachanh over Andrew Nordstrom 18-0
Jace Garza over Bryce Brust 14-9 
Gabe Livingston over Mathew Hakken  20-4
Peter Deaton over Gavin Hoefakker  20-2
Jake Roberts over Nick Lawson 20-2
Armondo Callejas over Jace Garza  (FALL)
Nick Lindsay over Julian Jimenez  16-3
Frankie Ulrich over Margarito Sanchez  22-2
Jordan Loss over Bryan Ries 4-1
Jabber Muflihi over Mathew Hakken 15-0

EXHIBITION MATCHES
Jake White over Jesse Brumm 10-2
Zane Bazzi over Bradley Collins (FALL)