State Champion Rand Litzner of LaSalle High School with wrestling coach Harvey Bentley. By David Latva

Rand Litzner, a 189-pound senior, became the 10th athlete from LaSalle High School to win All-State individual honors during the Upper Peninsula State Wrestling Finals Friday, February 18, and Saturday, February 19, at Menominee High School.

Litzner joins a prestigious list of athletes who have won state individual titles that include Wade Huskey (167) in 1980, Richard Brown (185) in 1981, Steve Frazier (126) in 1986, Steve Frazier (125) in 1987, Tom Horn (125) in 1991, Tom Horn (130) in 1993, John Rickley (215) in 1999, Matt Beaudoin (152) in 2004, and Billy Rickley (215) in 2004.

The senior was seeded third and went 4-0 with three pins during the tournament. Friday, he started off with a 19-second pin over Pat Dillon of Manistique, then followed it up with a pin over Mike Nickels of Norway at 1:45 of the first period, advancing him to the semifinals.

In Saturday’ semifinals, Litzner faced Brad Saatio of Negaunee, who had defeated him at Munising earlier in the season. This time around it was a different story, as Rand pinned Saatio at the 4:50 mark to qualify for the title match.

In the championship against Joe Vallier of Gladstone, Litzner posted a 10-4 decision. He led 4-0 after the first period, and 8-2 at the end of the second period, before registering a six-point victory.

"Rand wanted to go out a winner in his last competition of the year," said his mother, Joyce Litzner. "He was extremely happy and a little emotional."

"After finishing third last year at the finals, Rand had a true feeling of what it took to make it to the next level," said Saints Coach Harvey Bentley. "He figured his limitations after the injury, and was mentally prepared for this weekend."

Litzner recorded 31 wins and five losses this season and brought his career win record to 123. A knee injury kept the Saints standout from competition during the middle part of the season, so he failed to match his 41-14 record from last year.

Michael Green 2nd at 152

Junior Michael Green (44-5 on the season) placed second in the 152-pound class at the Upper Peninsula State Finals with a 3-1 mark for the two-day tourney.

The second seeded wrestler pinned James Hammons of Maplewood Baptist in 22 seconds, and notched his second pin against Lucas Flygare of Sault High in 2:44 during the first day of competition.

In the semifinals on Saturday, Green pinned John Kovarik of Negaunee at 2:15, but in the championship match he fell to Joe Matt of Marquette, the number-one seeded wrestler, in a 12-8 decision.

Three Saints Place Fourth

Senior Andy Fitzpatrick (125), junior Sam Fitzpatrick (119), and freshman Brandon Garries (103) all placed fourth overall, with 3-2 records.

Andy Fitzpatrick, 44-5 on the season and 148 career victories, was suffering with the flu, but tallied one pin and won matches on 15-6 and 11-1 decisions, while Sam Fitzpatrick (41-9) recorded three pins and Garries (42-9) registered two pins and charted a 6-1 decision.

Remaining Saints Wrestlers

James Sayles (HWT, 21-16) went 2-2 during the tourney with two pins, Stuart Zimmerman (112, 25-19) notched a 2-2 mark with two pins, and A.J. Miller (135, 24-21) went 1-1 with one pin.

The Saints recorded 21 victories at the U.P. Finals, and four wrestlers earned medals.

"I was pleased with our overall effort and that four came away with medals," added Bentley. "The younger wrestlers saw what it takes to get to this level."

Saints Drop Disappointing

Match in Districts

The St. Ignace wrestling team dropped a disappointing match to Rudyard, 40-32, in the opening round of the districts, and in the championship match the Bulldogs defeated Maplewood Baptist 66-18 to advance to the regionals at Munising Wednesday, February 23.

The Saints and Bulldogs match started at the 160-pound class, with the Bulldogs taking a 12-0 lead after St. Ignace was open at 160 and Travis Seigwart of Rudyard won the 171 class.

Rand Litzner of St. Ignace won the 189 class, and Jerrad Strauser of Rudyard posted the win in the 215 class before the Saints’ James Sayles (HWT) pinned his Rudyard opponent to cut the Bulldogs lead to 18-12.

Brandon Garries (103) won on a technical fall, 17-1, but Stuart Zimmerman (112) lost a tough 4-3 decision to Vontell Fikes for a 21-17 Bulldogs lead.

The Saints’ Sam Fitzpatrick (119) won on a 7-2 decision, and Andy Fitzpatrick (125) pinned his opponent to give the Saints a 26-21 lead before the Bulldogs iced the win with four consecutive victories as Scott Adams (130), C.J. Knutsen (135), Josh Piippo (140), and Jorden Mayer (145) recorded victories. In the final match, the Saints’ Michael Green won at 152.

In the championship match, Joe Lordson (130), Scott Adams (135), and Marcus Chontos (152) registered pins, and Tim Knutsen (103), Vontell Fikes (112), Alisha Thompson (119), Cory Thompson (125), C.J. Knutsen (140), Jorden Mayer (145), Jeremy Mayer (160), and Travis Siegwart (171) tallied wins for Rudyard.

Caleb Rader (189), Al King (215), and Jason King (HWT) tallied wins for the Black Bears.