Finals Qualifiers Show Strength of Muskegon Catholic Central's Gains on Mat
By
Tom Kendra
Special for MHSAA.com
March 2, 2023
Muskegon Catholic Central is the smallest wrestling school in Muskegon County, with just 124 students in the high school.
It also happens to be the only school in the county with two individual Regional champions in senior David Hill (157 pounds) and junior Easten Cook (165 pounds), who hope to add all-state honors to their resume when they compete at the MHSAA Individual Finals on Friday and Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit.
Now, don’t expect wrestling to usurp football as the sport of choice at MCC – which with 12 state titles during the playoff era is behind only now-closed Farmington Hills Harrison’s 13 championships – but throw in another Finals qualifier in senior Zach Michael (175) and the Crusaders grapplers boast three headed to Ford Field, not bad for a school which had only four wrestlers in the entire program in 2019.
“It’s been a great year for our program and our school, and we’re having a blast,” said fifth-year MCC coach Barry Kieft, who is assisted by PJ Mitchell.
“Those three state qualifiers are all stud football players. That sends a great message to the younger kids that wrestling will make you better on the football field.”
Hill was a star running back for the Crusaders’ Division 6 District finalist football team this fall, who had to get over a stigma to become a star on the mat.
“I used to be a germaphobe, so it’s hard to believe I even started wrestling,” said Hill, who is 32-7 this season and has 107 career wins. “But at some point, something changed. I love the independent part of it. You have to go out there and do it; you can’t blame anything on other people.”
Hill, the son of former Muskegon Reeths-Puffer all-state running back DeMarkeo Hill, who led the Rockets to the Class A championship in 1992 and tragically died of brain cancer five years ago at the age of 44, calls his dad his athletic hero and his inspiration before every match.
David Hill made short work of the field at 157 pounds at the Feb. 11 Division 4 Regional at Ithaca, including a pin at the 1:00 mark in the championship match.
This will be his second appearance at the Individual Finals, after placing fourth at Regionals last year. He believes his experience, speed and unorthodox style give him a shot at the title.
“I have a unique style, that’s for sure,” said Hill, a three-sport athlete who also runs track in the spring. “My coaches don’t know what to say to me because a lot of what I do isn’t conventional wrestling moves. So they just say, ‘Go out there and wrestle like David Hill.’”
Cook, meanwhile, is a conventional tactician at 165, the next weight class up from Hill.
Cook, a starting guard and linebacker on the football field, embraces the mental and physical challenges of wrestling.
“I think my biggest strength is my mental preparation and thinking things through,” said Cook, who got started in the sport in fifth grade when he was hanging around his older brother and now-MCC assistant coach, Aiden Cook. “I like the hardships that come with wrestling and seeing if you are strong enough to overcome it.”
Easten Cook, who as his name suggests, loves to experiment with different foods (right now, he and Hill eat a small granola bar dipped in honey before each match), won his Regional championship match 9-4.
Cook sports his team’s best record at 37-7, with city, District and Regional titles. He has 82 career wins.
The third member of the Crusaders’ Finals trio is Michael, who has a 32-9 season record and 89 career wins.
In addition to the three qualifiers, MCC also had two wrestlers eclipse the 20-win plateau this season in juniors Andrew Rosema (138) and Sawyer Hanson (190).
That additional depth nearly pushed the Crusaders to a team District championship Feb. 8. MCC downed Holton, 52-18, in the District Semifinal, before a narrow loss to Ravenna, 42-36, in the championship match.
Kieft said his team’s three Finals qualifiers are all ultra-competitive and have pushed each other to greater heights.
“They just pound each other in practice, sometimes too much,” Kieft said with a laugh, thinking of some of the trio’s practice battles in the wrestling room above MCC’s James Morse Jr. auxiliary gymnasium. “We had to go to 30-second rounds when they practice because if they go 1 minute, it gets too intense.”
Kieft said another reason for his team’s postseason success is a regular season of competing against larger schools.
Kieft, 71, has also been an assistant football and baseball coach at MCC in recent years. He recently decided to retire from coaching those two sports, but plans to continue leading the wrestling program.
“People ask me all the time: “Don’t you want to be in Florida during the winter?’,” said Kieft, who was an assistant wrestling coach at Fruitport in the 1990s. “No, I love doing this. I’ve been down there in the sun and all that, but I miss this. I enjoy being with the wrestling kids.”
Tom Kendra worked 23 years at The Muskegon Chronicle, including five as assistant sports editor and the final six as sports editor through 2011. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Oceola, Mecosta and Newaygo counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Easten Cook’s arm is raised in victory after a match this season. (Middle) Muskegon Catholic Central wrestling coach Barry Kieft. (Below) David Hill works to establish control during a match against Whitehall. (Photos courtesy of Karen Kieft.)
Gabriel Richard's Martinez Wins Finals Rematch to Double Title Count
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
March 4, 2023
DETROIT – For the second-straight year, Sebastian Martinez and Dillon Raab wrestled for a MHSAA Division 4 Individual Finals title.
And for the second-straight year, it was Martinez who had his hand raised.
The Riverview Gabriel Richard sophomore became a two-time Finals champion Saturday with a 10-2 major decision at 157 pounds.
“I knew how I wrestled last year, but I put a lot more work in this year,” said Martinez, who finished the season with a 39-3 record. “I knew I had the confidence that I was going to win, and I got the job done.”
Martinez was one of six wrestlers in Division 4 who finished the night a multiple-time Finals champion.
He did it with a clinical match against Raab, a three-time runner-up from Bark River-Harris. Martinez scored a takedown and a nearfall in the first period to take control, and added a reversal nine seconds into the second period to go up 6-0. Raab – who finished his senior season 48-4 – scored his only points on a reversal in the third period, but he already trailed 8-0 at that point.
“I’ve been practicing riding on top a lot this year, and it really paid off in this match,” Martinez said. “He couldn’t really score from bottom until the end.”
On a night where a record four wrestlers – Dundee’s Braeden Davis, Detroit Catholic Central’s Dylan Gilcher, and Davison’s Josh Barr and Caden Horwath – won their fourth titles, it was easy for Martinez to see that possibility for himself, now that two are down in his first two years.
“That’s been my goal and dream for a long time,” Martinez said. “The first time I got it, I was obviously very happy because my dream had started. This year, I wanted to confirm it – make sure I put in all the work and make sure I get it.”
106
Champion: Nicholas Sorrow, Hudson, Fr. (50-1)
Decision, 9-2, over Logan Gilbert, Martin/Climax-Scotts, Soph. (48-6)
Any time a freshman wins a Finals title it’s a statement. But knocking off a defending champion to do it gives it some extra oomph.
That’s what Sorrow did, picking up his third win of the season against Gilbert, who won at 103 pounds in 2022.
“I felt good,” Sorrow said. “I’ve been waiting to get here and get my shot, and now it’s here.”
Sorrow took control of the match at the end of the third period, taking a 5-0 lead with a takedown and nearfall. From there, he rolled to his first Finals title.
113
Champion: Sammy Stewart, Manchester, Fr. (19-1)
Decision, 14-11, over Alex Rodriguez, St. Louis, Fr. (45-7)
In one of the more high-scoring Finals matches of the night, Stewart came out victorious, overcoming an early deficit to win the battle of star freshmen.
Rodriguez had led 5-1 and 10-6, but Stewart scored eight of the last nine points in the match.
It was a much different ending than their first meeting during the season, when Rodriguez pinned Stewart while trailing 7-1.
“I knew that cradle was coming, so I had to be careful of that,” Stewart said. “I learned it in my semifinal match that it’s not over until it’s over. So when he got the first takedown I thought, ‘It’s not over yet, I’ve got three periods to go.’ Anything can happen. I just didn’t need to think, I just needed to wrestle and score points.”
120
Champion: Wesley Edie, Grass Lake, Sr. (38-6)
Decision, 10-9, over Daven Lockwood, New Lothrop, Sr. (30-7)
Edie fell behind early, and trailed 8-6 heading into the third period. But he managed a reversal and a takedown in the final two minutes to win his first Finals title.
“I just had to keep thinking I was going to win, no matter what,” Edie said. “Down 6-2, I had to keep working – out-cardio him.”
Both were Finals placers a year ago, as Lockwood was eighth and Edie was fourth.
“It’s great,” Edie said. “I’ve been going for it all season, but it’s a great feeling.”
126
Champion: Shawn McGuire, Iron Mountain, Sr. (40-1)
Major Decision, 12-3, over Perry Lake, Bronson, Sr. (47-7)
A year ago, McGuire had to overcome a teammate to win his first Finals title. He much preferred wrestling someone in a different singlet.
“It was quite a bit of difference,” McGuire said. “I think last year, it was bittersweet to go into the Finals with my best friend and also my teammate. It was different this year. It’s just sweet this year.”
McGuire won at 119 in 2022 and was runner-up in 2020. He also placed third in 2021, giving him four top-three finishes in his career.
“It’s better than ever,” McGuire said. “It feels good to come out on top.”
132
Champion: Landyn Crance, Union City, Jr. (44-3)
Fall, 2:43, over Haylen Buell, Martin/Climax-Scotts, Fr. (53-5)
Crance became the first two-time champion in Union City history, and was struggling to hold back his emotions following the pinfall victory.
“It’s unbelievable,” Crance said. “First-ever two-time state champion in my school’s history, and that was my goal all year. It feels so good. Way better than last year.”
Crance, who won at 125 in 2022, lost to Buell in the Regional, and trailed 2-1 before getting the pin in the second period Saturday.
“I had something to work for every week,” Crance said. “Being at the top isn’t always the best. Battling for something, it gets you motivated a lot more. Your nerves settle down a lot, you don’t have as much pressure. It’s so relieving to get that win.”
138
Champion: Josiah Schaub, Traverse City St. Francis, Sr. (38-4)
Decision, 4-2, over Blake Sloan, Manchester, Fr. (52-4)
Schaub didn’t overthink his match strategy, even though he had plenty of time to do so, as this was the second-to-last match of the night.
“Sometimes my mind’s just empty,” he said. “Today, it just happened to stay empty, which is good.”
Schaub had the only offensive points in the match, with a takedown in the second period and a reversal in the third. Sloan scored on an escape and stalling call.
“It feels amazing after seven years of doing wrestling to finally win something this big,” Schaub said. “It feels incredible.”
144
Champion: Coy Perry, Hudson, Jr. (40-8)
Decision, 7-5, over Hunter Coxon, Montrose, Sr. (53-5)
In his first season at Hudson, Perry found his way back to the top of the podium. He won a title at 112 pounds in 2021 while at Clinton. He had also placed seventh in 2022.
“It’s pretty special,” Perry said. “I’m just so grateful and thankful.”
Perry never trailed in the match, but a third-period takedown from Coxon did make it a one-point match. Perry was able to hold the Montrose senior off in the final 20 seconds for the win.
“The atmosphere was a lot better,” Perry said. “And I was wrestling my teammate (last time). It’s kind of tough to be wrestling your teammate and try not to have any emotions. This atmosphere was amazing. Just 10 times better than the last one was.”
150
Champion: Manus Bennett, Marlette, Sr. (49-1)
Decision, 5-3, over Evan Haferkorn, Iron Mountain, Sr. (37-2)
Bennett claimed his third Finals title on the night. He won at 103 pounds in 2020 and 140 in 2022. He suffered only one loss at the Finals in his career, as he placed third as a sophomore in 2021.
“I don’t think anybody truly imagines it – I know a lot of them hope,” Bennett said. “A lot of people dream of going for four, and I screwed that up, so I went for the next biggest thing. After freshman year I figured, ‘Maybe I can make this a reality.’ I came close, but in the end, I’m proud and happy with it.”
On Saturday, Bennett found himself tied at 3 with Haferkorn – a three-time placer – late in the third period. A reversal with 28 seconds remaining and subsequent ride-out gave him the win.
165
Champion: Robert Cann, Whitmore Lake, Sr. (47-3)
Major Decision, 15-6, over Fulton Stroud, Iron Mountain, Jr. (36-7)
Cann handed out and accepted more than a dozen hugs after leaving the mat with his first Finals title. Multiple were from his own coaches, but plenty were from other coaches and wrestlers from around the state.
“A lot of different coaches from different clubs that I’ve been able to talk to,” Cann said.
He took control of his match with a huge second period, scoring 10 points to take a 12-3 lead into the final one.
“It feels great,” he said. “I’m so proud. I really was nervous going into this match. All I could do was pray to my God, my lord and savior Jesus Christ, and he really gave me strength for that match.”
175
Champion: Cole Hopkins, Evart, Sr. (48-0)
Major Decision, 10-1, over JR Hildebrand, Martin/Climax-Scotts, Sr. (38-3)
Hopkins finished off an unbeaten season with his second-straight Finals title. It was his third-straight top-two finish, as he was a runner-up in 2021.
“When you have the target on your back and everybody is coming after you, you have to work twice as hard,” Hopkins said. “Everyone has a picture of you on their nightstand or something, trying to beat you. So I just wanted to leave no doubt that I’m the champ.”
Hopkins was dominant throughout the match, taking a 5-0 lead after the first period with a takedown and nearfall, and he stretched it to 8-0 heading into the third period.
190
Champion: Evan Wakefield, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Sr. (54-1)
Decision, 4-2 (OT), over Drew Allgeyer, Bark River-Harris, Sr. (35-5)
Wakefield needed overtime in his last two matches of the tournament to claim his first Finals title.
On Friday, he scored a takedown with 3 seconds remaining to force overtime. Saturday’s tying point came much earlier in the third period, but there was still plenty of drama.
Not long into overtime, Allgeyer, the defending champ at 189 pounds, attempted a shot that Wakefield blocked before working behind for the win.
“I’m just thinking, ‘Keep a level head, don’t get emotional,’” Wakefield said. “I had to make a move, had to find a way to score. Thankfully I did. God gave me the opportunity, and I took it. I was kind of used to it from (an overtime match) yesterday. He seemed tired, so I knew he would take a shot on me and I knew I would be fast enough to sprawl.”
215
Champion: Grady Iobe, Union City, Sr. (39-1)
Decision, 7-0, over Daxton Looney, Montrose, Sr. (48-11)
After placing eighth in 2021 and third in 2022, Iobe was happy to take another couple steps up the podium this year.
“It feels amazing,” Iobe said. “There’s no other feeling like it.”
He was dominant in the match, getting a takedown 16 seconds in and adding another in each of the next two periods.
“Our coaches say that almost every match is won in a takedown battle,” Iobe said. “If you win on your feet, you’ll win in the match. You just have to wrestle out there smart, get as many points as you can, and don’t give away free points.”
285
Champion: Eathan Westfall, Reading, Sr. (45-0)
Injury Default, over Grayson Orr, New Lothrop, Sr. (38-2)
Westfall would rather have wrestled for his first Finals title, but he wasn’t going to let that take away from his accomplishment.
“I wanted to wrestle really bad,” Westfall said. “I hate that that was how it ended, and I feel bad for him that he didn’t get a chance to wrestle. It’s not fair to him, and I really wish I had my match to prove it.”
Orr was injured Friday, and Westfall found out when he came onto the Ford Field turf Saturday that he would be crowned champion without having to wrestle.
Although it wasn’t the way he envisioned, he had an idea of when the accomplishment would hit him.
“The second I see my parents,” he said.
PHOTOS (Top) Riverview Gabriel Richard’s Sebastian Martinez shows his chart after winning his second Finals championship Saturday. (Middle) Whitmore Lake’s Robert Cann (in red) works toward a win over Iron Mountain’s Fulton Stroud. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)