EAST LANSING — The No. 10-ranked Niles wrestling team wrapped up a big weekend by defeating Whitehall at Michigan State University on Sunday.

The Vikings (17-1) beat Whitehall 39-24 in a match that veteran Niles coach Todd Hesson said was much closer than it looked.

Niles was coming off a 4-0 day on Saturday at the Lakeshore Super Duals. The Vikings shared the tournament championship with the Lancers, who also went 4-0.

Niles and Lakeshore will square off in a SMAC West Division dual match in Stevensville on Jan. 31.

This coming weekend, the two teams will take part in the annual Greater Berrien County Invitational at St. Joseph.

“It was a good weekend,” Hesson said. “We wrestled well over at the Super Duals. We had kids at different weights. Cedar Springs and Rockford were really tough. Cedar Springs was exceptionally tough. They were physically tough. The score is a little more lopsided than the reality of it was.”

Hesson said that Robert Buckland had a big upset at 152 pounds against Anthony Brew, who is ranked No. 3 in Division 1. Hesson said that was the turning point of the match.

Wrestling at Michigan State University was a once in a lifetime opportunity Hesson said.

“Just to be up there, and be up there on that raised mat and standing there on top of that Spartan logo, it was a humbling experience,” he said. “You try to make it about the kids and I think they all enjoyed the experience.”

Following the match, Niles and Whitehall watched Michigan State host Wisconsin in a Big Ten Conference match.

Winning matches by pin for the Vikings on Sunday were Jamison Zimmerman (103), Ryan Franco (125), Austin Reid (130), Kade Wagley (140) and Brian Soto (285).

“It was tight all the way through,” Hesson said. “The kids came through and did a good job.”

Hesson said that the MSU experience should pay off down the road when the state tournament gets under way.

“I think it puts a little bit more of a spotlight on you,” he said. “You get the idea that it is a big dual. The focus is on you. I really do think it will help out because it had that postseason feel to it.”