Click thethumbnails to see pictures and a video of Evan Haferkorn's comments.
KALAMAZOO---The Iron Mountain High School wrestling team will face a powerhouse in the Division Four state quarterfinals on Friday at Kalamazoo's Wings Stadium.
The Mountaineers (9-5 in dual meets) will battle the Hudson Tigers (25-3) in the first quarterfinal of the day at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET.
Hudson is the defending Division Four state champions, and the Tigers have won nine state championships in the last 13 years under Coach Scott Marry. And they were state runners-up in three of the four years that they didnt win the championship.
But Iron Mountain has some expereince as well, led by defending individual state champion Shawn Mcguire, and runner-up Tyler Winch. The Mountaineers also made the state finals as a team last season, losing a tough 36-35 dual meet to New Lothrop.
Iron Mountain 152-pounder Evan Hafterkorn says the guys are ready this time.
“Me and my practice partner, Fulton Stroud, have been going hard in the room every single day, pushing the pace,” Hafterkorn said. “We don't have the numbers. They've got numbers. We're going to have to start off with a bang, and get our numbers up right away, and hopefully, motivate everyone else to win their matches, too. Personally, my match-up will be a good one, no matter who I get.”
The winner of the Iron Mountain-Hudson match will face either Martin-Climax-Scotts or New Lothrop in the semifinals Saturday at 8:30 a.m. CT/9:30 a.m. ET.
