Blissfield wrestlers win in day one of state tournament

By Brad Heineman

Noah Nieman and Caleb Bangerter, Blissfield High School wrestlers, both won their matches at The Palace in the opening rounds of competition of the MHSAA State Wrestling Tournament.

Bangerter pinned Merrill’s James Castillo in just over two minutes at the 215 lb. weight class.

Nieman defeated Lutheran Westland’s Andy Faith in an 18-2 decision at the 135-lb. weight class.

Each will wrestle Friday in the quarterfinal round beginning at 10:30 a.m.

For the complete story and coverage of the tournament, please see the March 9, 2016, edition of The Advance.

Three Blissfield, three Madison wrestlers advance to regionals

A little Blissfield home cookin’ was all Blissfield wrestlers Noah Nieman, Austin Hall and Caleb Bangerter needed Saturday at the Blissfield-hosted Michigan High School Athletic Association Wrestling District 31, division four competition. Both Nieman and Bangerter placed first in their weight class division, while Hall placed in a qualifying third-place spot, ensuring all three Royals another shot to wrestle in the regional rounds.
The top four finishing wrestlers in each weight class move on to the regional rounds of wrestling held this Saturday in Bronson.
For the Madison Trojan varsity wrestlers, they too will send on three Trojans to Bronson this Saturday in second-placed Frankie Najera and fourth-placed finishers Isiah Wyatt-Young and Clarence Burger.

For the complete story and several photos, please see the Feb. 17, 2016, edition of The Advance.

Nieman pins 100th wrestling win

Noah Nieman of Blissfield High School wrestles for his career 100th win Jan. 20. Copyright River Raisin Publications, Inc.
Noah Nieman of Blissfield High School wrestles for his career 100th win Jan. 20. Copyright River Raisin Publications, Inc.

Blissfield High School junior wrestler Noah Nieman may have had a halfway easy trek for two of the most important wins of his high school wrestling career.

Against a Lenawee County Athletic Association dual meet of teams including Columbia Central and Onsted, Nieman and his Royal comrades hosted their second home wrestling meet of the year Jan. 20.

It was a perfect setting for the Blissfield grappler to claim his 100th career wrestling victory in front of a home crowd.

Nieman entered the evening of wrestling with 98 overall career wins and his climb to 100 was made easy when Columbia Central failed to match weight at 135 lbs.

His next opponent came in Onsted’s Brittany Ratliff, a female opponent Nieman pinnedher in the first period for win number 100. Nieman pinned Ratliff at 1:43 on the clock and his victory was followed by a short celebration.

For the complete story by Brad Heineman as well as all the local sports results from the previous week and lots more photos, please see the Jan. 26, 2016, edition of The ADVANCE. Like local sports? Looking for the name of your favorite player, subscribe for weekly delivery – just $32 a year. Call 517-486-2400 and Paula will sign you up!

Bangerter, Nieman advance for Royals to regionals

Only two Blissfield High Schools wrestlers will remain on the mat for the season, as sophomore’s Noah Nieman (135 pounds) and Caleb Bangerter (189 pounds) finished within the top four of their wrestling brackets in the Division 4 individual wrestling districts Feb. 14 at Clinton. Nieman finished third in the 135-pound bracket, with Bangerter claiming second in the 189-pound division.

Blissfield's Caleb Bangerter
Blissfield’s Caleb Bangerter

web Nieman 3

Blissfield's Noah Nieman
Blissfield’s Noah Nieman