DCC, Hudson Standouts Next to Chase #4

March 9, 2018

By Jeff Chaney
Special for Second Half

There is no offseason for a championship wrestler.

And if he’s on the verge of making MHSAA history, he may get only a week off before getting back to work.

Hudson's Jordan Hamdan and Detroit Catholic Central's Kevon Davenport are ready to hit the mat again and train for next year in an attempt to become the state's 25th and 26th four-time individual champions. 

Both won their third straight Individual Finals titles last weekend at Ford Field, as Hamdan took the 130-pound weight class in Division 4 with a 10-0 major decision victory over Robert Rogers of Burton Bendle and Davenport won the 145-pound Division 1 title with a 7-1 decision over Vic Schoenherr of Bay City Western. 

"This Sunday and Monday I will get in some practice time and then go from there," said Hamdan, who finished this season with a 52-0 record. "It never ends. If you stop training then someone can catch up, so you have to keep improving."

Davenport is ready as well.

"(Being a four-time champ) is always in the back of everyone's mind when you get here," Davenport said. "I got my three in; now the next step is number four."

Davenport said he is open to advice from the 24 wrestlers who have already forged the path of four straight titles. 

That historic club increased by two members this year as Dundee's Brandon Whitman and Lake Fenton's Jarrett Trombley became four-timers Saturday evening.

"Wisdom is everything; experience is everything," Davenport said. "Even if there is a little bit that they can teach me, I will take whatever I can get."  

If Hamdan and Davenport can become Nos. 25 and 26, they will be the first four-time champions from their highly successful programs. 

Hudson and Detroit Catholic Central have each had multiple three-time champions – for Hudson, Devan Marry (2009-10, 2012) and Cole Weaver (2012-14) were three-timers, and for the Shamrocks Trevor Stewart (2003-05), Alec Mooradian (2009-11), Ken Bade (2011-13) and Drew Garcia (2012-14) claimed three titles.

"There is a lot that can go wrong trying to win four," Hudson coach Scott Marry said. "Injuries, sickness, being in the right weight class and keeping your weight under control. I think Jordan will be a good recipient of it because of what he does. He believes in the process and all the training that goes into avoiding those pitfalls."

Added Detroit Catholic Central coach Mitch Hancock about Davenport: "Kevon could be the first for us. We have created such an environment at Catholic Central so that these guys flourish in it. We have very committed parents and very committed wrestlers."

Commitment is what all great wrestlers can agree is the key to making it to the top of the podium.

"I will put in the work," Hamdan said. "If I do what is necessary, I will still be comfortable no matter what the pressure becomes to be a four-timer. I will be focused on the goal. It all boils down to putting in the work."   

Hopefully that will be enough.

"There is an element of luck involved to win four," Scott Marry said. "But you make your own luck. Keep you weight in control, study your opponents and train and that will help you seize that opportunity.”

PHOTOS: (Top) Kevon Davenport’s arm is raised in victory after the Detroit Catholic Central junior earned his third MHSAA championship Saturday at Ford Field. (Middle) Hudson’s Jordan Hamdan also won his third individual title and receives a salute from the crowd. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

Highlight Reel: Team Finals Video

March 1, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The MHSAA Team Wrestling Finals came to an end Saturday evening with familiar champions in Lowell, Richmond and New Lothrop and a first-time winner in Brighton.

See below for highlights from all four championship matches – including one from all eight teams that competed – plus links to watch the matches in full on-demand on MHSAA.tv.

 

Division 1 

Laforge at the Fore: Hartland jumped out to a 22-12 lead after eight weight classes in the Division 1 Final against league rival Brighton. Hartland's Lucas Laforge wins his 160-pound bout with Tanner Maschke, 4-3, in the final period.

Title Takedown: It came down to the final match at 112 pounds to decide the Division 1 title, and Brighton's Lee Grabowski claimed a 4-2 win over Hartland's Garnet Potter. Here's the second period takedown that gave Grabowski a 3-0 lead. Brighton won the crown, 31-25.

Watch the entire match and order DVDs by Clicking Here

Division 2 

Dean Scores The Fall: Lowell scored the first 15 points of the Division 2 title tilt with Eaton Rapids and never looked back. Zeth Dean got a first-period pin against Eaton Rapids' Eric Anderson at 130 pounds in that streak.

Schultz In An OT Thriller: Tristen Schultz of Eaton Rapids and Logan Blough of Lowell took the 189-pound match in the Division 2 Final to its ultimate length, before Schultz prevailed, 9-8. It cut the Lowell lead to 24-16, but the Red Arrows pulled away for a 40-16 championship victory. 

Watch the entire match and order DVDs by Clicking Here.

Division 3 

Drew Starts It For Dundee: Dundee jumped out to a 16-6 lead on Richmond in the Division 3 title match, with Drew Scholl starting things off with a 7-4 win over Cody Keller at 119.

Richmond Wins! Richmond Wins!: Richmond got two straight pins to come from behind and defeat Dundee, 27-25, for the Division 3 title. Connor Behem gets the fall at 112 pounds over Harry Wallace. 

Watch the entire match and order DVDs by Clicking Here.

Division 4

Copes Pins Welch: Trevor Copes of New Lothrop comes up with a key pin of Nick Welch of Hudson at 145 pounds in the Division 4 championship match.

Roberts Rules: Hudson gets off to a good start against New Lothrop in the Division 4 Final, as Tyler Roberts pinned Austin Birchmeier in 25 seconds. New Lothrop came back to win the title, 38-24. 

Watch the entire match and order DVDs by Clicking Here.