Marlette’s Matt Mata pinned his opponent from New Lothrop in last Wednesday’s D4 team regional championship match. The Raiders, though, won only two other weight classes against the No. 2 ranked Hornets and lost, 62-18. Photo by Joe Crawford MARLETTE — New Lothrop has blocked the post-season path of the Marlette wrestling team many times over the years. Last Wednesday night, the Hornets stung the Red Raiders one more time.

Marlette fell in the Division 4 team regional finals, at home, to New Lothrop, 62-18. The Hornets, ranked No. 2 in D4, will move on to the State quarterfinals in Battle Creek on Friday, February 24.

Coach Cal Hayward has directed Raider wrestling teams for 17 seasons overall and to well over 200 victories in duals. None of those wins have come against New Lothrop, a perennial state power.

“They’re real good, and they have so many young kids in the line-up,” Hayward said. “It’s just like a thorn that never goes away. One day, that’s my goal, is to beat New Lothrop.”

The Raiders won just three of the 14 matches against the Hornets. Unbeaten senior Matt Mata pinned his opponent at 130 pounds. Junior Andy Bowman turned in a quick, :19 second pin at 119 while Nick Shaver won on a void at 152.

Hayward believes New Lothrop could reach the team State finals.

“They can win it,” he offered. “It will be interesting. They have to get through Shelby, and they beat Hesperia, who was ranked No. 3.”

In the semifinals at Marlette High on Wednesday, the Raiders whipped Burton Bendle, 60-16, and New Lothrop eliminated Cass City, 66-18. The Red Hawks were the GTC co-champ with Marlette this season.

For the Raiders in the semis against Bendle, they had pins from Mary Webster (103), Nate Strauel (125), Collin Henry (140), and Michael Wells (189). Bowman, Mata, Zeb Cinader (145), Shaver, and Tommy Ferguson (160) all won by void.