Two minutes and 57 seconds was all it took for Goodrich High School senior Parker Lovell to be declared a state champion.
That was the amount of time it took for him to pin Portland’s Justin Pung, in the wrestling state championships at the Palace of Auburn Hills on March 4, 5, and 6. Lovell had a record of 54-5 this season.
There were over 900 state qualifiers in the tournament overall; 16 of which were in Lovell’s 171 pound weight class. Lovell tackled Mason Courtwright of Shelby, Josh Jensen of Casscity, and Matt Townsend of Grayling before being matched against Pung in the final round.
‘I was super nervous right before the championship round,? said Lovell. ‘My whole body was shaking.? Although Lovell had eleven years of wrestling experience under his belt it was his first time qualifying for states, after losing in the blood round at the 2009 regionals. ‘After I won it was like I was unstoppable, no one could touch me.? Lovell hopes to wrestle in college.
Other placing Goodrich qualifiers included junior Jarrad LaBelle who placed fourth in the 189 pound weight class, senior Cody Petit who placed fifth in the 112 pound weight class, junior Bryce Montgomery who placed eighth in the 140 pound weight class, and sophomore Issac Jewell who placed fourth in the 103 pound weight class.