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.)

Performance of the Week: Whitehall's Ira Jenkins

February 10, 2022

Whitehall wrestlingIra Jenkins ♦ Whitehall
Wrestling ♦ Senior

Jenkins, last season’s Division 3 individual champion at 215 pounds, hasn’t lost a match since his sophomore season and Saturday helped Whitehall to its fourth-straight West Michigan Conference team title. He is 39-0 this winter wrestling at 285 and finished last season 38-0 – and he’ll carry that 77-match winning streak into Saturday’s Division 2 Individual District hosted by the Vikings. His team also is undefeated and ranked No. 2 in Division 2, and won Wednesday’s Team District at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer.

Jenkins finished fifth at 171 pounds in Division 2 as a sophomore and third at 152 in Division 3 as a freshman, and he’s built a career record of 164-11. This season’s run is especially impressive as Jenkins had elbow surgery during the offseason that caused him to miss playing football in the fall. He has signed with University of Michigan and is hoping to join the school’s Navy ROTC program as he pursues a longtime dream of becoming a fighter pilot.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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2021-22 Honorees

Feb. 3: Emma Stewart, Salem gymnastics - Report
Jan. 28:
Tyler Ray, Pinckney swimming - Report
Jan. 21:
Elle Craven, Traverse City Central skiing - Report
Jan. 14:
Nevaeh Williams, Mount Clemens basketball - Report
Dec. 2:
Lucas Dunn, Chelsea football - Report
Nov. 25:
Riley Nugent, Plainwell swimming - Report
Nov. 18:
Harper Murray, Ann Arbor Skyline volleyball - Report
Nov. 11:
Abby VanderKooi, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian cross country - Report
Nov. 4:
Arianne Olson, Holland West Ottawa cross country - Report
Oct. 28:
Jack Guggemos, Okemos soccer - Report
Oct. 21:
Sachiv Kumar, Northville tennis - Report
Oct. 14:
Kate Brody, Grand Blanc golf - Report
Oct. 7:
Lilly Nelson, Negaunee tennis - Report
Sept. 30:
Stella Chapman, Ann Arbor Pioneer swimming - Report
Sept. 23:
Riley Hough, Hartland cross country - Report
Sept. 16:
Josie Bloom, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep volleyball - Report

PHOTOS by Macy Taranko (action) and Billy Mann (head shot), courtesy of CatchMark SportsNet