![](/sites/default/files/imported/Photos/140103_Ellsworth_2H.jpg)
Finals Flashback: Kyler Elsworth
January 3, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Michigan State linebacker Kyler Elsworth was a hero of Wednesday's Rose Bowl, the game's defensive Most Valuable Player after playing most of this season on special teams and joining the program five years ago as a walk-on.
Long before his name was flashed across national football broadcasts, Elsworth was a three sport standout at Goodrich High School and two-time MHSAA wrestling champion.
Here's his 2009 championship match against Dundee then-sophomore Justin Heiserman, who has gone on to wrestle at the University of Buffalo. Elsworth won by pin to claim his second straight Division 3 title at 189 pounds.
![Be the Referee](/sites/default/files/2022-02/220224_referee_2H.jpg)
Be the Referee: Wrestling Start Position
By
Brent Rice
MHSAA Assistant Director
February 24, 2022
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Wrestling Start Position - Listen
Today we’re on the mat, ready for the next wrestling match.
We’ve got a wrestler ready to get into the offensive starting position. Which of these should he or she do?
► Place their head on or above the mid-line of the opponent’s back
► Place their arm loosely around the opponent’s body with the palm of the hand placed loosely over the defensive wrestler’s navel
► Not have their legs or feet in contact with the defensive wrestler.
If you said yes to all of these things – you are correct. The wrestler in the offensive position should do all three of those things.
Do that – and you are ready to wrestle.
Previous editions
Feb. 17: Hockey Delayed Offside - Listen
Feb. 10: Basketball Timeout - Listen
Feb. 3: Basketball Video Review - Listen
Jan. 27: Wrestling Inspections - Listen
Dec. 16: Ball Over Backboard - Listen
Dec. 9: Winter Officials Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 26: Instant Replay - Listen
Nov. 11: Tourney Selection - Listen
Nov. 4: Receiver Carried Out of End Zone – Listen
Oct. 28: Volleyball Back-Row Block – Listen
Oct. 21: Soccer Disallowed Goal – Listen
Sept 30: Field Goal Falls Short – Listen
Sept. 23: Volleyball Obstruction – Listen
Sept. 16: Catch or No Catch – Listen
Sept. 9: Intentional Grounding – Listen
Sept. 2: Pass Interference – Listen
Aug. 26: Protocols and Mechanics – Listen