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Gillett showed his skill in the up position as he was 5-0 in the 160-pound weight class. Wrestlers could only score points against their opponents by takedown.

"Aaron really stepped it up a notch today as did Tyler Shananaquet," said Elk Rapids coach Rob Petersen. "These two wrestlers led the team in presenting a confident hard charging attitude in every match."

Shananaquet posted a 3- 2 record at 171 pounds and took second place despite being injured in the fourth round.

Manton won the team title with 114 points to finish ahead of Frankfort (110), Charlevoix (109), Elk Rapids (99), Gaylord (96) and Mancelona (44).

Adding to the Elk Rapids team total with second- place finishes were: Jason Benak (3-2, 119 pounds) and Ed Niepoth (4-1, 145 pounds).

Additional scorers for the Elks were Maggie Petersen (3rd, 112 pounds), Erica Dopp (4th, 112 pounds), Jared Benak (4th, 135 pounds), Zach Drogowski (3rd, 145 pounds), Pat Bruening (3rd, 152 pounds), Mark Campbell (3rd, 215 pounds), Jeff Steinbeck (3rd, 285 pounds) and James Pentland (4th, 285 pounds).

"Every member of the team contributed today," Petersen said. "Those that were not having a solid day on the mat were making sure that others did. That's what team wrestling is about."

ER 42, Standish-Sterling 36; Grayling 55, ER 23
The Elks split a pair of dual meets at Grayling on Thursday, Jan 18, when Elk Rapids opened with a 42-36 win over Standish- Sterling before falling to Grayling in the second match by a 55-23 score.

Earning two wins for the Elks were Maggie Petersen (103 pounds), Jason Benak (119 pounds) and Derek Petersen (125 pounds). Dopp and Shananaquet both picked up single wins.

"We wrestled very well against Standish," Petersen said. "The matches we won were decisive, and the ones we lost were competitive. It was a solid match through and through."

Elk Rapids travels to Mancelona on Thursday, Feb. 1, and competes at the Lake Michigan Conference meet on Saturday, Feb. 3.