Ben Murphy
Contributing Writer

(Courtesy photo – One proud coach, in Devin Milheim and one proud city, as the Greyhounds gave a great run toward the state championship, finishing second in Division 2.)

An amazing run for the Eaton Rapids wrestling team didn’t end until the state championship match. The Greyhounds lost their bid for a Division 2 state title to powerhouse Lowell on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, but the 62-4 loss didn’t take any luster off what was an otherwise remarkable season.

“It is huge for our program,” Coach Devin Milheim said. “E-R wrestling is special to this community with its rich history of success. This creates excitement for our program and only will make more people want to be a part of it. As a coach I cannot be any more proud of our wrestlers and their dedication.”

In the finals, Maiko Sherman had the team’s lone victory, a 16-5 major decision in the 106 weight class.

“Lowell has now won Division 2 team states 13 years in a row,” Milheim said. “The score does not show it but, we battled Lowell.  Of all state final duals Eaton Rapids versus Lowell was the last one, which shows we battled hard. Lowell has a great program and that gives us something to work towards.”

In the semi-finals, they defeated Three Rivers 39-30, rallying from an early deficit to get the victory. 

Winning their matches in this one was Mike Chapates (157) in a 3-0 decision, Donny Hoyt (215) via pin, Jamison Brown (285) via pin, Sherman (106) in a major decision, JJ Hackworth (113) via pin, Jameson Onstott (120) in a sudden victory, Nicholas Wade (126) in a tech-fall and Brayden Thorn (132) via pin.

The Greyhounds also won a thriller in their quarterfinal match, slipping by Algonac, 33-32; a dual that proved every point matters. 

Winners here were Hoyt (190) on a major decision, J. Brown (285) via pin, Sherman (106) on a decision, Onstott (113) with a tech-fall, Wade (120) on a decision, C. Brown (126) via pin, Thorn (138) via pin, Gavin Pickott (150) on a decision and Chapates (157) on a decision. Nolan Saltman (165) lost his match, but kept from getting pinned, saving the dual from going to tiebreaker criteria after losing on a tech-fall. 

Overall, it was quite the showing for the Greyhounds, who were able to win two close matches at the state’s biggest stage. 

“Just incredibly proud of how our kids battled this weekend,” Milheim said. “We get compliments almost every weekend, either from a parent from another school, another coach, or an official. About what great kids we have and how they do things the right way.”

There’s some good news when it comes to the Greyhounds too; although their opponents might not like to hear it. 

“I’m already excited for next year, with returning 13 out of 14 starters,” Milheim said.