Reeths-Puffer wrestler Kaden Malotke continued his great season on Saturday by winning the 138-pound championship at a Division 1 individual district tournament at Grand Haven High School.
Malotke, a senior, won his championship match by pinning Grand Haven’s Xzavier Rodriguez in 4:42.
He reached the finals by pinning Byron Center’s Reed Kartes in 2:27, then winning an 8-7 thriller over Hudsonville’s Jacob Rottier in the semifinals.
Malotke is now 47-1 on the season.
R-P's Kaden Malotke, a 138-pound district champion.
Malotke and four teammates finished in the top four of their respective weight classes and qualified for individual regionals, one step away from the individual state finals.
The Rockets’ other regional qualifiers were Ian Cook, who placed second at 120 pounds; Caleb Zimmerman, who placed second at 190 pounds; Jake Rozycki, who placed third at 113 pounds; and Nathan Stafford, who placed third at 285 pounds.
Cook is now 46-2, Rozycki is 45-4, Stafford is 39-11 and Zimmerman is 16-2.
R-P Coach Jared Fleming was a bit surprised and very pleased with how well Zimmerman and Stafford performed against the stiff competition.
“Caleb and Nathan were big surprises and wrestled their butts off to qualify,” Fleming said.
Malotke closes in on a pin in a match earlier this season. Photo/Joe Lane
The coach was also proud that 14 Rockets entered to compete in individual districts.
“Last year we had too many injuries or guys not interested in competing individually,” Fleming said. “It shows more development of the program and how more athletes have bought into success.”
The Rockets will continue their team season on Wednesday when they compete in a Division 1 regional semifinal match against Hudsonville at Grandville High School at 5 p.m. If they win they will advance to the regional finals the same night.
Meanwhile the five individuals who were successful in districts will compete in individual regionals this Saturday at Byron Center High School with a chance to qualify for the individual state finals.
