Shawn Cowell The St. Ignace Saints finished second to the Rogers City Hurons at the Straits Area Conference team wrestling championships Saturday, February 9, at Rudyard High School. Seven Saints placed second during the individual tournament.

Rogers City won the team title with 174 points, followed by St. Ignace with 155.5, Sault Ste, Marie 143, Mio 115, Cheboygan 88, Newberry 63.5, Onaway 26, and Rudyard 25.

"Overall, I was pleased with our effort," said Saints Coach Harvey Bentley. "We didn't let Rogers City run away with the title."

Seven Saints Place Second

The Saints were led by Steffan Saffian in the 160-pound weight class, John Evashevski (135), and Derek Marshall (189) with 2-1 records, and Mike McNeely (112), Kaiden Shiemke (119), Brandon Garries (125), and Rob Robinson (140) at 1-1.

Placing third were Shawn Cowell (145), Tyler Oja (152), and Andy Tamlyn (215) with 2-1 records, and Shawn Horn (103) placed fourth with a 2-2 mark.

Shawn Cowell Earns 100th

John Evashevski CareerWin St. Ignace senior Shawn Cowell earned his 100th career win during the Straits Area Conference (SAC) meet Saturday, February 9, at Sault Ste. Marie.

Cowell wrestled in the 130- pound weight class as a freshman, 135-pound during his sophomore year, and 140- pound last season, recording 91 wins in his first three season.

Needing nine wins to reach the milestone in his senior season, Cowell pinned an Onaway wrestler for his 100th win during the SAC meet. He joins 12 other LaSalle High School wrestlers who have reached the illustrious mark of 100.

Saints Prepare for Tourney The Saints will compete in the team districts Thursday, February 14, in Charlevoix, along with the host Rayders and Rudyard Bulldogs. The winner will advance to the regionals in Rogers City Wednesday, February 20.

The individual districts include 14 teams that will compete in Munising Saturday, February 16. The top four individuals in each weight class will advance to the regionals in Rogers City Saturday, February 23.

State Finals

Stefan Saffian The team state finals will be in Battle Creek Friday, February 29, and Saturday, March 1, and the individual finals will be at the Palace of Auburn Hills Thursday, March 6, through Saturday, March 8.

Derek Marshall