For the second straight season the Saline High School wrestling team defeated Lincoln to capture a Division 1 district championship. With the victory, the Hornets advance to next week's regional round to face Southgate Anderson Wyandotte-Roosevelt High School.

“It’s very satisfying to see the young guys do well,” said first year Saline head coach Scott Powers. “It was a little tight against Pioneer and I was a little worried about our young guys. But when we needed six, they came through.”

Saline beat Pioneer 43-28 in the opening round before defeating Lincoln 60-12 in the final. Lincoln was forced to void four matches and was disqualified in another in the final.

“We were really trying to get some of young guys in to get some matches,” said Powers. “I’m disappointed because we wanted to get a couple young guys some experience.”

MLive.com: Boxscore

The finals opened up with the most exciting match of the day, as Saline’s Taylor Ticknor faced off with Lincoln’s Jordan Markey at 119 pounds. Ticknor was behind 11-8 when, with 45 seconds remaining, scored would score a takedown to make the score 11-10. Markey escaped only to be taken down again by Ticknor to tie the score 12-12, but Markey escaped again as the buzzer sounded for a 13-12 lead.

After voiding the first two weight classes, Lincoln was on the board, 12-3, but never got any closer.

In the 130-pound contest, Saline’s Nate O’Sullivan pinned Kyle LaBombarbe at 1:42 of the first period. Saline won the next two bouts at the same time when a minute into the 135-pound contest, the Lincoln coaches realized they had sent their 140-pound wrestler into the match and had to forfeit both weight classes.

Saline would get pins in the 145, 189 and 215-pound matches on its way to the victory. Powers used some of his younger wrestlers in the other bouts, wanting to keep some of his other wrestlers rested for Saturday's individual district tournament.

In the semifinals, Pioneer won the first two matches at 103 and 112 against Saline to open a 10-0 lead, but only won one of the next ten bouts. Jahi Hilliard and Steven Keeler scored pins for Pioneer at 215 and heavyweight, but the match had long been decided by then. Lincoln advanced to the final uncontested as Huron did not show up for the competition.

Saline senior captain Ryan Boxeth -- who went 2-0 at 125 on the night, is excited for his team’s chances at next week's regional.

“I got to believe in them right?” Boxeth said. “They got me this far so I believe in them going forward and whatever comes next.”

MORE WRESTLING DISTRICT RESULTS

Manchester 71, Clinton 10: Flying Dutchmen win Division 4 district title. (Story | Boxscore)

Howell 58, Skyline 18: Skyline falls in Division 1 semifinal.

Mason 40, Chelsea 28: Chelsea falls to Mason after defeating Dexter in Division 2 semifinal.

Tecumseh 71, Milan 12: Big Reds fall to eventual district champs in Division 1 semifinal.

Ypsilanti and Willow Run district results not available.

Contact Matt Durr at mattdurr@annarbor.com.