Senior Dylan Tarrence qualified as individual regional champion at an MHSAA Division 2 meet at Marysville on Saturday, Feb. 18.

Tarrence also advanced his record to 44-0 for his 160-pound weight class after pinning his opponent Beau Caster from Marquette in 11 seconds.

Tarrence focuses on being the best he can be before stepping onto the mat.

“Once you step on the line, the score is 0-0. The wrestler that comes out on top was the one who wanted the match more,” Tarrence said. “I just have to keep pushing myself to be the best as we go to the individual state finals.”

Kearsley advanced six wrestlers, including Tarrence, to qualify for the individual state final, which will be held at The Palace of Auburn Hills beginning Thursday, March 2, and continues until the final on Saturday, March 4.

Senior Reese Harburn was runner-up in the 215-pound division, falling to Dalton Ballantine from Clio.

Another senior, Marcus Moss, finished in fourth place at 285 pounds after being pinned by Blake Querio from Holly in 4:44 of the third-place match.

In addition, junior Andy Ruhstofer took second for the 130 weight class, being pinned in the championship in under three minutes to Hunter Larson from Escanaba.

Although Ruhstofer didn’t come out on top, he was still proud of how hard he worked.

“It was a tough loss, but I gave it all I could and will come back stronger for the state finals,” Ruhstorfer said.

The fifth Hornet to advance to the state final is junior Malik Davis. He finished as runner-up to Bret Fedewa from St. Johns in the 152-pound weight class.

Finally, freshman La’Ron Ruffin took third in the 103 weight class, defeating Brendon Smith from St. Johns in under four minutes of the qualifying match.

Ruffin is the only freshman on the team to make it to the state final this year.