Harper is NUWAY National champ

Imlay City grappler wins top spot in Lansing-based elite tourney

IMLAY CITY — Imlay City’s Joe Harper excelled, earning the distinction of champion for the heavyweight class at the NUWAY Individual Wrestling Nationals this past weekend.

Harper, representing Team Donahoe, got things underway Saturday with a 6-4 win against Ethan Alderson (Elite Athlete Club).

He then went to 2-0 with a 6-5 victory over Wyatt Bailey (Dowagiac Wrestling Club).

Harper then notched a 16-6 semifinal triumph against Ty Stevenson (Middletown Madison).

That placed him in the title match where Nikolas Mishka (Elite Athletic Club) provided the opposition.

When that bout concluded, Harper had prevailed 5-3.