As we get into the middle of January, it becomes a little easier to see which teams look like they are poised to make runs at division or conference championships, and which ones could make a lengthy run in the post season.

Nearly all of our wrestling teams are enjoying tremendous success this year.

With only about a month left in the regular season, Brandywine, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg, Cassopolis and Niles have made strong statements.

The Bobcats, Eddies and Vikings have double digit victories on the season, while the Chieftains have won four consecutive Wolverine Conference matches and have lost just to Edwardsburg in league competition.

That is a far cry from the past couple of years when Dowagiac struggled to be even competitive some nights in the Wolverine Conference.

First-year coach Colin Burandt has done an outstanding job of taking what Matt Alward started to build the last couple of years and taking it to another level.

I expect big things out of the Chieftains in the near future and they may even surprise a few people before this campaign ends.

Another first year coach, Kenyon Ellison at Cassopolis has the Rangers moving in the right direction.

Cassopolis has had a variety of coaches over the past few years, but Ellison has brought a new attitude to the program and I expect the Rangers to surprise a few people before the regular season ends and in the postseason.

The Vikings continue to roll along in the SMAC and look to be building momentum toward the state tournament.

The Eddies are the top team in the Wolverine Conference and will pose a threat to Niles’ string of regional championships next month.

Brandywine may be a surprise to some with a 19-9 record so far this season, but not to me.

I have known Rex Pomranka a long time and he does an outstanding job of coaching the Bobcat wrestlers.

Brandywine is in a tough division with some of the top teams in the state in his region, but Pomranka will have his troops ready by mid-February when the state tournament gets under way.

If you have not had a chance to get out and see any of these teams, now is the time. You will see some outstanding young wrestlers competing at the highest level.

There are more than a few of these grapplers who will make a lot of noise at the state tournament when the individual competition begins.

And more than one of these teams could make a long run through the state team tournament.

 

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com.