Niles’ Ward repeats as district champion

DOWAGIAC — Defending state champion Maddison Ward rolled to an easy district championship Sunday.

Ward won a state 170-pound title last year for Brandywine. She transferred to Niles this season and ran her record to 24-0 in three straight district wins at 155 pounds. Ward drew a bye, then pinning Harmony Wethington of Portage Northern, earned a technical fall 20-4 decision over Emma Hartline of Hartford and finally pinning Mattawan’s Shylah Twyman in the title match.

Buchanan’s Kadence Ashe (20-4) was the other area winner Sunday with three straight pins at 135 pounds.

Three other area wrestlers placed with Dowagiac’s Cinthia Villegas (25-6) ending second at 145 pounds, and Dowagiac’s Alexandra Jijon (11-12) and Niles’ Kloe Kiggins (24-7) taking fourth at 110 and 115 pounds, respectively.