Sims Advances to State Semifinals, Farrell Survives Elimination Match

senior Tim Sims' hopes for a state championship remain intact after surviving a scary quarterfinals match Friday in the Michigan High School Athletic Association wrestling finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Milan junior Dillon Farrell lost his quarterfinal matchup Friday morning but rebounded in the evening to clinch a place on the podium.

Milan senior Matt Schultz and Saline sophomore Adam Bruley were eliminated Friday morning.

Sims, wrestling at 152 pounds in the Division 2 finals, defeated Lapeer East’s Isaac Joseph 18-16.

Sims improved to 57-0 and advanced to the final four. He’ll face Lowell’s Dan Fleet, 25-4, in the semifinals Friday night. Fleet won a 3-1 decision over Riverview’s Mike Carnavon to make the semifinals. In the other semifinal, St. John’s Jordan Wohlfert, 58-0, faces Escanaba’s Garrett Johnson, 39-6.

The semifinals begin at 7 p.m. and can be viewed live here.

Sims scored three takedowns in the first period for a 6-2 lead. Early in the second, he scored a takedown and a 2-point near fall for a 10-4 lead. But Joseph battled back, gaining 4 points with an escape, takedown and penalty against Sims, and then 3 more points with a near fall, to take the lead 11-10.

Late in the third, Sims needed two reverses to stay alive. Sims scored the takedown in overtime to advance.

At 145 pounds, Farrell, 22-6, lost to Mason’s Nick Starzec, 10-5. Farrell faced an afternoon battle against Greenville’s Josh Juarez, 50-13, to keep his season alive. Farrell won with an 8-4 decision. The victory clinched a spot on the podium Saturday afternoon. Farrell can do no worse than eighth and can finish as high as third.

He'll continue his quest against Coopersville's Jordan Sullivan, 41-10. Round six begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. With a victory, Farrell qualifies for the consolation finals, which begin at 11:30 a.m.

Schultz, who has been battling injuries for several weeks, was eliminated from the tournament when he lost Friday morning’s match by injury default. Schultz, at 215 pounds, finished the year at 48-8.

Bruley, at 112 pounds, was Saline’s lone entrant in the tournament. After losing a 10-0 decision Thursday, Bruley needed to run the table. He was stopped by Romeo’s Tayron Womble by pin at 4:20 in his match Friday morning. Bruley, who emerged as one of Saline’s top wrestlers as the season progressed, finished the season with a 39-17 record.