Three Fruitport wrestlers took fourth place at Division 2 regionals on Saturday and qualified to compete in the individual state finals at Detroit’s Ford Field on March 3-4.

Hunter Leonard (157 pounds), Nash Cooper (144) and Roan Cooper (120) – all seniors – will get to test themselves against the best Division 2 competition in Michigan while striving for All-State honors.

Roan Cooper won his first match with a tight 3-1 decision over Cedar Springs’ Luke Eagan, lost his second match, came back to beat Hamilton’s Ethan Goodwin 8-5 in the consolation round semifinals, then lost in the third-place match. He is now 37-12 on the season.

Fruitport’s Nash Cooper (left) and Roan Cooper.

Nash Cooper won his first match over Ionia’s Killian Campbell 7-5, lost a 6-5 heartbreaker in his second match, pinned Hamilton’s Jacob Chase in 2:47 in the consolation semifinals, then lost the third-place match.  His record is now 43-6 on the season.

Leonard had to battle back after being pinned in his first match. He did so by pinning Forest Hills Central’s Michael Campbell in 1:34 and beating Plainwell’s Matthew Beck 5-2 in the consolation semifinals, before losing the third-place match. Leonard is 41-7 on the season.

Fruitport’s fifth competitor, Caleb O’Neal (215 pounds) got off to a great start by pinning Forest Hills Eastern’s Dylan Langdon in 5:27, then lost a pair of very close matches, 3-0 and 7-2, and failed to qualify for state. He finished the season with a 37-10 record.

Fruitport’s Hunter Leonard

“All in all, it was a very impressive day at a very tough region,” said Fruitport coach Chad Johnson. “The boys wrestled with a purpose today. We had a few upsets and avenged a few losses from earlier in the year.

“We’re going to get back to work and make a few adjustments over the next 13 days. These boys are eager to get back to the state tournament and make a name for themselves.”