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Jeff Campbell's Hornets (29-5) who won back-to-back crowns in 2003 and 2004 advanced to face Manchester (28-7) in the state semifinals yesterday (Saturday). The Flying Dutchmen manhandled Bangor 47-16 in another quarterfinals match-up while Rick Sherry's two-time defending state champ Addison Vikings advanced with a heart-stopping 36-35 win over No. 1 ranked Hesperia. Addison (37-3) won on the third tie-breaking criteria - number of technical falls.

Addison was set to square-off against Bronson, a 31-25 winner over Rogers City in Saturday morning's other semifinals match.

While Addison has won last two state titles, no school in Michigan boasts a richer wrestling tradition than the Hornets, winners of 12 state championships since 1978.

Friday's quarterfinals match against Leroy Pine River opened at 189 pounds where Hornet junior Ethan Bishop recorded a 10-2 major decision victory over the Bucks' Ethan Russell. Roger Emmendorfer made it 10-0 quickly with his 1:08 pin of Aaron Macechren at 215.

Pine River's Robert Rose got six back with his 4:13 pin of the Hornet's Kevin Wheeler at 285, but New Lothrop reeled off three straight victories to build a 20-6 cushion when Blake Birchmeier, Taylor Copes and Allen Krupp won. Birchmeier stopped Gavin Knight 6-1 at 103 and Copes followed with a 10-2 major decision victory over Matt Raven at 112. Krupp posted a decision at 119 before the Bucks rallied with wins at 125 and 130 to make it 20-16. Luke Jones' second period pin of Kelly Krupp and Robert Morris' 10-0 major decision victory over Jesse Lorencz cut the margin to four points.

Pine River actually closed to within one, 23-22 after victories at 140 and 145, but unbeaten senior captain Ryan Confer, Brad Rivette and Dennis Emmendorfer slammed the door. Confer pinned the Bucks' Mike Warchol 1:54 into their bout to open a 29-22 cushion. Rivette, who missed the team regional due to injury came up huge at 160 pounds. His 5:09 pin of Pine River's Ben Parker clinched the victory and a trip to the state semifinals for the Hornets.

David Spiegel was the Hornet's other winner. He edged Pine River's Zack Fansler in the closest match of the day, 4-2, at 135 pounds.

Hornet sophomore Marc Confer dropped a heartbreaking 10-8 decision at 140 to Marcus Bridget while the Bucks' Eric Rasmussen stopped Kyle Trent 8-2 at 145.