Elk Rapids wrestler Maggie Petersen pins Boyne City's Adam Brown in seconds at match held in Elk Rapids Jan. 4. Elk Rapids also wrestled against Frankfort. Photo by Megan Taylor

Peterson, wrestling at 103 pounds, opened her day with a 7-6 decision and followed that with a 5-3 decision, a void, a 52-second pin and a 39-second pin.

As a team, the Elks picked up a victory defeating Farwell, 42-36, in round three of the six-team event. Elk Rapids lost to Roscommon (59-18), which went 5-0 and took the team title, Big Rapids (64-12), Reed City (63-15) and Kalkaska (42-29).

"I was pleased with the team's performance for the day," Elk Rapids coach Rob Petersen said. "The amount of improvement we've seen against these teams is pretty impressive, and the team is becoming more competitive every day. As we work through the second half of the season, I expect the team to build more confidence and it will show on the mat."

Derek Petersen posted two pins and one void at 125 pounds to go 3-2 for the Elks while Aaron Gillett, Dylan Helferich and Zach Drogowski all earned two wins on the mat. Single wins went to Jason Benak, Jared Benak, Tyler Shananaquet, Jeff Steinbeck and Erica Dopp.

ER 42, Frankfort 35; ER 36, BC 30
Both battles came down to the final match when Elk Rapids wrestled against Frankfort and Boyne City in a doubledual meet in Elk Rapids on Thursday, Jan. 4.

Going into the 285- pound bout against Frankfort, the Elks led, 36-35, when Steinbeck sealed the win with a pin at one minute and 31 seconds. Elk Rapids topped Frankfort, 42-35.

The score was tied, 30- 30, between Elk Rapids and Boyne City before Maggie Petersen secured the victory with a 44-second pin at 103 pounds.

The double winners for the Elks were: Maggie Petersen, Jason Benak (112), Duane Hollon (119) and Steinbeck (285).

"This was an example of our best wrestling," Petersen said. "When it came down to the wire we performed well, but on the whole it was apparent that we were a bit rusty after the holiday break."

Elk Rapids will host Traverse City St. Francis on Thursday, Jan. 11, and travel to Forest Area on Tuesday, Jan. 16.