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.)

D4 Preview: Familiar Contenders Aiming to Become Next Champions

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

March 3, 2022

Opportunities abound for new Individual Finals Division 4 champions to make headlines this weekend at Ford Field.

In part because Clinton is wrestling in Division 3 this season, only three 2021 champions will be returning in Division 4 – although two more contenders have that experience as well after climbing the podium in 2020.

The Grand March on Friday begins at 10 a.m., with wrestling through semifinals that evening. Wrestling begins again at 9 a.m. Saturday with championship matches at 3:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at Ford Field. All matches will be broadcast live on MHSAA.tv, and we’ll talk to all 14 champions in each division for our Second Half coverage published later that evening and overnight. See the MHSAA Wrestling Finals page for more information and to follow results this weekend.

112 Jacob Bunn, Manchester senior (42-2) The three-time Finals placer is seeded first at this weight after finishing eighth last season to go with a sixth at 103 as a sophomore and eighth at 103 as a freshman.

119 Shawn McGuire, Iron Mountain junior (35-2) – He’s the top seed at this weight after finishing third last season and runner-up at 112 as a freshman. He’s 109-6 combined over those three seasons.

140 Manus Bennett, Marlette junior (39-0) – He’s looking to climb back to the top of the podium after winning at 103 as a freshman and finishing third at 125 last season.

140 Bronson Marry, Hudson senior (24-2) He’s aiming for his fourth championship match appearance and second title after finishing second at 130 last year, winning 112 as a sophomore and finishing runner-up at 103 as a freshman.

145 Dillon Raab, Bark River-Harris junior (31-2) The top seed at this weight is looking to take the next championship step after finishing runner-up at 135 a year ago.

160 Shenard Foster, Detroit Loyola senior (13-0) He hasn’t lost since just missing out on last season’s championship at this weight, when he took his title match into overtime. He also finished seventh at 140 as a sophomore.

160 Gavin Wilmoth, Traverse City St. Francis senior (36-2) He’s the top seed at 160 after winning 152 a year ago and is a combined 70-3 over the last two seasons.

171 Cole Hopkins, Evart junior (50-0) He’s back as the top seed at this weight after finishing runner-up last year and suffering his only loss of the season in the title match. He was seventh at 160 as a freshman.

215 Caden Ferris, Delton Kellogg senior (45-0) The reigning champion and top seed at 215 is a combined 78-2 over the last two seasons and also earned an eighth place at that weight as a freshman.

285 Isiah Pasik, New Lothrop senior (43-0) The top seed at this weight is the reigning champion and undefeated since his sophomore year, when he finished third. He’s a combined 111-3 over the last three seasons.

Additional No. 1 seeds: 103 Logan Gilbert, Martin freshman (37-6); 125 Austin Marry, Hudson sophomore (24-11); 130 Jackson Miller, Hudson senior (26-10); 135 River Roberson, Hesperia senior (41-2); 152 Parker Stroud, Iron Mountain senior (37-6); 189 Cameron Kimble, Hudson senior (40-1).

PHOTO Isiah Pasik's arm is raised in victory after taking a forfeit win during New Lothrop's Division 4 Quarterfinal victory Friday. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)