GRANDVILLE – The Reeths-Puffer wrestling team’s memorable season came to an end on Wednesday night.
The Rockets fell 48-25 to Hudsonville in the Division 1 regional team semifinals at Grandville High School.
While losing is never fun, particularly when it means an end to the season for most of the wrestlers, the Rockets have plenty to look back on with a smile.
This season included an O-K Green conference tournament and overall conference championship, along with a Division 1 district title.
“The things we’ve accomplished are tremendous,” said R-P coach Jared Fleming about the tradition he hopes this team has started. “It stinks we couldn’t accomplish everything in one year, but you have to have trailblazers, and hopefully these guys were them.”
R-P's Caden Huddleston competes in the 157-pound match. Photo/Andrew Johnson
With just six seniors leaving the program, Fleming is very optimistic about next season, and thankful for the impact the departing wrestlers had on the program.
“I’m so proud of them,” the coach said. “A few of the seniors were iffy about wrestling before the season, then they left it all on the mat. The bond that we formed as a team is one that won’t be broken for a lifetime. For those guys to buy in and love their teammates is awesome.”
Things started out well for the Rockets on Wednesday when they took a 6-0 lead on a pin by Ian Cook in the 126-pound match.
Hudsonville responded with a pin victory in the next match to tie things up at 6-6.
Kaden Malotke (138) picked up a 12-4 major decision victory to give the Rockets a 10-6 lead, but that was the last lead the Rockets had.
R-P's Omillion Wyrick battles at 175 pounds. Photo/Andrew Johnson
Hudsonville went on to win the next five matches, including four by pin, to pull ahead 33-10.
Caleb Zimmerman (190) got the Rockets back on the board with a 9-4 victory to cut the Hudsonville lead to 33-13.
R-P’s Nathan Stafford (285) pinned his opponent in 2:28 to make the score 36-19.
Following two more Hudsonville pins, Jacob Rozycki (120) picked up a forfeit win to make the final score 48-25.
“I can’t say anything bad about our effort,” Fleming said. “They left it all on the mat and that’s all I can ask.
R-P's Kaden Malotke, who won his match at 138 pounds. Photo/Andrew Johnson
“I’m most proud of how they’ve grown in their character and become better young men. Those things will continue even when wrestling ends, and that’s what’s important.”
While R-P’s team season is over, five Rockets still remain alive in the state individual tournament. Malotke, Cook, Rozycki, Zimmerman and Stafford will compete in regionals on Saturday, attempting to quality for the state finals.
