It was a huge week for the sports of wrestling last week, as a number of wresters from around the county brought home individual district wrestling titles. Every district champion was nominated this week for our weekly The Daily Reporter Athlete of the Week honor and it caused quite a stir, as this week’s poll received the most votes of any poll since we switched to the new system.
So with that being said, the people have spoken and we have a new The Daily Reporter Athlete of the Week sponsored by ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, Omega Physical Therapy and Coldwater Chiropractic and Wellness Center. and the honor this week goes to Union City junior wrestler Landyn Crance.
Crance won the vote with just a little over 38% of the vote, receiving the most votes of any nominee this winter sports season.
Crance (38-2 on the year) was honored after claiming his first ever Division Four District wrestling title, winning the 132 pound weight class, despite being the only returning MHSAA Division Four State Champion on the mats in Branch County. During Crance’s sophomore season he was upset in the district finals by David Becker of Springport, who Crance went on to defeat in the regional final a week later before going on to win the 125 pound state title. During Crance’s phenomenal freshman season the talented rookie entered the MHSAA postseason unbeaten, but was forced to miss the individual district tournament after being dinged as a “close contact”, something I am sure we are all happy is no longer a thing.
Crance took advantage of the stage this season, defeating Guage Stampfler of Delton Kellogg in the district finals via an 8-1 decision. Crance is the top seed in his D4 regional bracket for this coming Saturday and is poised to return to Ford Field in Detroit to defend his state championship.
Earning runner-up honors for this week’s The Daily Reporter Athlete of the Week poll was Bronson junior wrestler Jacob Britten. Britten was nominated for this week’s award after winning the Division Four District title at 175 pounds this past week. Not only did Britten bring home the gold medal at districts, but he also did so while reaching a huge career milestone, earning career win 100 with a pin fall win over Homer’s Harley Robinson in the championship finale.
Britten (43-4 on the season) is the number one seed in his 175 pound regional bracket and is poised to punch his ticket to the MHSAA Individual State Finals at Ford Field next week.
Also earning votes in this week’s Athlete of the Week poll were Aidan Taylor and Logan Mears of Union City wrestling; Jacob Reif of Quincy wrestling; the Coldwater gymnastics trio of Charlotte Calhoun, Randi Dudek and Kirarly Schoenauer; Bronson wrestlers Owen Kimmons, Carson Norton, and Perry Lake; Union City wrestlers Colton Russell and Grady Iobe; and Quincy wrestler Davin George.
This is the second Union City wrester in a row to win the award as Crance’s win follows up the win for his teammate Maddox Miller who won last week’s poll after claiming his first Big 8 conference title. Congratulations goes out to Union City’s Landyn Crance on being voted as this week’s The Daily Reporter Athlete of the Week sponsored by ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, Omega Physical Therapy and Coldwater Chiropractic and Wellness Center.
Keep an eye on The Daily Reporter’s website and social media for the link to next week’s Athlete of the Week poll as we once again turn to you the readers for your input on who deserves the honor. If you have an athlete you would like to nominate for the award, please send their name, school and a little about their weekly accomplishments to sports@thedailyreporter.com or to Sports Editor Troy Tennyson at ttennyson@thedailyreporter.com.
