By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
VICKSBURG - Champions again.
The Dowagiac varsity wrestling team, despite a key injury Saturday, sucessfully defended its Vicksburg Invitational championship by going 5-0 on the day.
The Chieftains, who dropped a pair of matches on Thursday in its season opener, rebounded to defeat Mattawan, Brandywine, Otsego, Vicksburg and Three Rivers.
The Otsego victory was especially sweet since it had upset Dowagiac in its season-opening match last Thursday in Constantine.
Dowagiac, ranked No. 9 in the first coaches poll, opened the tournament with a 45-21 victory over Mattawan.
The Chieftains squared their season mark at 2-2 with a 56-24 win over Brandywine in the second round.
Dowagiac then gained a measure of revenge in the third round as it toppled Otsego, 40-31.
In the fourth round Dowagiac made sure it returned to the championship match as it improved to 4-0 on the day with a 51-27 win over host Vicksburg.
Three Rivers was once again waiting for Dowagiac in the final round as the Wildcats were also undefeated at 4-0.
Dowagiac posted an impressive 46-27 victory over the Wildcats to claim the title once again.
The five wins were made more impressive by the fact that senior co-captain Kyle Bennett was lost for the day in the first match due to an injury. Bennett sat out the final four matches, however, the Chieftains made some shifts in in their line up and continued to win.
Going undefeated on the day were Mike Kasper at 140-pounds, Jeromy Northrop at 145-pounds and Austin Lawrence at 145-pounds.
Northrop also wrestled at 152-pounds, while Lawrence wrestled just two matches at 145.
Posting 4-1 marks on the day were Terry Prowoznik at 135, Rob Duszynski at 171, Matt Behnke at 215 and Tony Stewart at heavyweight.
Justin Desjardin was 3-1 at 152.
Also wrestling on Saturday were Justin Richter at 103 (1-4), Nathan Cottrell at 112 (3-2), Richie Hutchinson at 119 (2-2), Taylor Phillips at 125 (1-4), Ryan Dutoi at 130 (3-2), Elijah Caldwell at 160 (3-2) and Kyle Bennett (0-1).
Green also singled out the performance of Stewart and Prowoznik as both performed well despite suffering the effects of the flu.
Dowagiac (5-2) will have the entire week off before wrestling on Saturday at the Sturgis Invitational.
Sturgis runs an individual tournament format. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
Cassopolis Super Duals
CASSOPOLIS - The host Cassopolis Rangers went 5-0 on the day to capture its own Cassopolis Super Duals on Saturday.
The Rangers defeated White Pigeon, Watervliet, Athens, Marcellus and Mendon to take the team title.
In the first round Cassopolis defeated White Pigeon, 56-18. In the second round the Rangers toppled Watervliet, 45-36.
In the third round Cassopolis defeated Athens, 42-33. In the fourth round the Rangers slipped past Marcellus, 45-36.
To complete the day undefeated, Cassopolis took on Mendon, winning 54-25.
Going undefeated for the Rangers on Saturday were Zach Deubner, Justin Tucker, John McCoy and Randy Hemminger.
Team results
Cassopolis 56, White Pigeon 18
White Pigeon 42, Watervliet 33
Marcellus 41, White Pigeon 36
Athens 44, White Pigeon 33
White Pigeon 42, Mendib 34
Cassopolis 45, Watervliet 36
Cassopolis 42, Athens 33
Cassopolis 45, Marcellus 36
Cassopolis 54, Mendon 25