Berry, Loyd impress at State Championships of Michigan

By: RICKY LINDSAY, WRESTLING BEAT REPORTER

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Hassen Berry and Dan Loyd were the lone Wolves’ wrestlers to represent the University of Michigan-Dearborn at the State Championships of Michigan meet in Flint on Sunday. The duo impressed spectators and the Wolves’ coaching staff throughout the day, leading to a total of three wins.

Mott Community College (Flint, MI) hosted the event for club teams that included two Ohio colleges, Bowling Green State University and Defiance, and five Michigan colleges; Grand Valley State University, Mott Community College, Saginaw Valley State University, the University of Michigan, and UM-D.

Loyd started the day off for the Wolves, weighing in at 184. He took on Alex Garcia of Saginaw Valley in his first match. Loyd prevailed, defeating Garcia by a pin at 1:47.

(Credit: UM-Dearborn Wrestling Club)

Berry followed suit after weighing in at 197. He took on Scott Petricevich of Defiance in round one. Berry pinned Petricevich at 1:52, defeating the wrestler from Ohio.

Two wins to start the meet pleased Wolves head coach Grant MacKenzie. “It was very exciting to watch each wrestler pin in the first period,” said MacKenzie.

Loyd bumped up to the next weight class to challenge Carl Worth of Grand Valley in round two. Worth, ranked sixth in the nation (NCWA) was 17-5 with seven pins this season. Worth went on to defeat Loyd by a pin at 1:44.

Loyd finished the State Championships of Michigan with a 1-1 record, improving his season record to 5-3.

Berry took on Pau Richardson of Mott Community College in round two. Berry quickly defeated Richardson by a pin at 0:54.

Berry also decided to bump up to the next weight class to take on Frank Bastien of Grand Valley. Bastien, ranked tenth in the nation (NCWA), was 11-3 with four pins on the season. Bastien prevailed in the round three match, pinning Berry at 1:47.

Berry finished the State Championships of Michigan with a 2-1 record, improving to 5-1 on the season.

MacKenzie was proud with his wrestler’s decisions to bump up to the next weight class to participate in another round at a prestigious event.

“As a coach, I was impressed with their desire to compete and the way they exemplify sportsmanship on and off the mat.”

The Wolves return to the mat for the Great Lakes Conference meet in Belleville, Illinois on March 2. The meet features 24 club teams, with the top six placers qualifying for nationals.