Johnson Bounces Back for Inspired Finish
March 5, 2016
By Butch Harmon
Special for Second Half
AUBURN HILLS – Last wrestling season ended in heart-breaking fashion for Hudson senior Kyle Johnson.
Not only was he unable to repeat as an individual MHSAA champion, but he also was mourning the passing of his grandfather, Jim Kimble.
This year, spurred on by the memory of his grandfather, Johnson wrapped up his high school wrestling career in a big way by winning the 160-pound title in Division 4.
Johnson outlasted Spencer Knizacky of Scottville Mason County Central 4-2 in the Final to finish the season with a 49-8 record.
“Last year my grandpa passed away, and I was not mentally into it,” Johnson said. “This year, I dedicated my season to him. My grandpa meant a lot to me. He showed me how to be a man.”
Immediately after clinching the title, and in the process winning his 200th career match, Johnson put on the black T-shirt with orange lettering that said “RIP Gramps, this one is for you.”
“This title was for him,” Johnson said. “I stayed focused all season because of him.”
103
Champion: Tucker Sholl, Hudson, Fr. (48-3)
Major Decision, 11-0, over Reese Fry, Manchester, Soph. (44-7)
Practice partners throughout the season, Hudson’s Sholl and Jordan Hamden came into the Finals looking to hit a freshman daily-double by winning the 103 and 112-pound titles. Sholl completed his part in impressive fashion, as he didn’t allow a point en route to winning a major decision.
“It feels real good,” Sholl said. “We practice together every day. I can’t begin to tell you how many hours we put in working out together.”
112
Champion: Jordan Hamdan, Hudson, Fr. (51-6)
Decision, 5-1, over Noah Comar, Clinton, Fr. (55-4)
Hamdan completed the freshman double-dip by defeating a familiar foe in fellow freshman Noah Comar of Clinton. Hamdan scored a two-point near fall in the second period and then put the match away with an escape and takedown in the third period.
“It’s very special to win it as freshmen with Tucker,” Hamdan said. “We’ve been practicing together since grade school. We go at each other in practice and show each other a lot of different styles. I think we strengthen each other.”
The MHSAA title was also the second for the Hamdan family as Jordan’s older brother Roddy won a title during his sophomore year.
“My brother helped me out a lot,” Jordan said. “He has really given me a lot of support and helped me reach my goal.”
119
Champion: Robert LeFevre, Erie-Mason, Jr. (39-0)
Decision, 6-1, over Coy Helmuth, Decatur, Jr. (49-6)
After falling short in overtime in the 112-pound title match last year, LeFevre was determined to take the final step this season.
LeFevre turned in a workmanlike performance as he took a 2-0 lead in the first period, then built the lead to 4-0 in the second before closing out the match with two more points in the third period.
“I was just more mentally focused this year,” LeFevre said. “I put in a lot more work during the offseason, and it paid off. Words can’t explain how good this feels.”
LeFevre also finished the season with a perfect record despite bumping up in weight class several times for the good of the team.
“The undefeated record is nice,” LeFevre said. “It’s really exciting to get it here in the Finals. I finished third as a freshman, second last year and now first this year.”
125
Champion: Robert Rogers, Burton Bentley, Soph. (48-0)
Decision, 8-6, over Davian Gowens, Hesperia, Sr. (43-4)
Burton Bentley may not be a household name on the list of outstanding Genesee County wrestling schools, but Bentley sophomore Robert Rogers is single-handedly changing that. Rogers became the first Bentley wrestler to win an individual MHSAA title in 39 years.
“This shows everybody that someone from a little school can win a state title just like the big school down the road,” Rogers said. “This is really thrilling. It shows that hard work pays off. I’m here not just for myself, but for my teammates and my coaches. This is for them.”
Rogers placed third at the MHSAA Finals last year and came back this year focused on improving.
“My coaches kept me level-headed all season,” Rogers said. “Losing in the Semifinals last year gave me a lot of extra motivation.”
130
Champion: Dallas O’Green, Carson City-Crystal, Sr. (59-0)
Decision, 8-2, over Ethan Woods, Manchester, Jr. (48-3)
O’Green ended his career in a big way. Not only did he win a second straight championship, but he finished his senior season with a perfect record.
“This one is very special,” O’Green said. “It’s a big accomplishment. We don’t get many wrestlers winning two state titles in a row at our school.”
O’Green ended his career as a four-time Finals placer as he took sixth as a freshman and third as a sophomore. That accomplishment is something he shares with his coach Trent Ward.
“That has only happened once in our school’s history, and that was our coach,” O’Green said. “That makes it very special. I feel like we have the best coaches in Division 4, and to be a four-time state placer like Coach is amazing.”
135
Champion: Sean O’Hearon, Springport, Jr. (49-1)
Decision 6-1, over Clay Ragon, Dansville, Sr. (51-5)
After placing fourth last year, O’Hearon was not about to let an opportunity pass him by this winter. O’Hearon took an early 2-1 lead and then built the lead to 5-1 in the second period.
“I just kept the pressure on him,” O’Hearon said. “We have a lot of pride in Springport wrestling, and I was glad to represent our school and our tradition.”
O’Hearon also represented his family well along with his cousin, Austin O’Hearon, who wrestles for Eaton Rapids and placed seventh at 125 pounds in Division 2.
“We’re hoping that next year me and him will both be state champs,” O’Hearon said. “We get together to practice a lot. Working out with him has really helped me.”
140
Champion Dresden Simon, Dansville, Sr. (52-1)
Fall, 1:30, over Konnor Holton, St. Louis, Jr. (41-5)
Simon wasted little time in winning his second straight MHSAA title, as he recorded a fall in the first period.
“Winning a state title was something I expected,” Simon said. “I’ve been working hard for it. I put in a lot of hard work for it, and it paid off. I went out there and tried to push the pace.”
Simon, who is headed to Central Michigan University to wrestle next season, won the 130-pound title last year.
145
Champion: Cole Hersch, New Lothrop, Sr. (51-1)
Fall, 4:00, over Gerrit Yates, Hesperia, Soph. (53-5)
For Hersch, it was his first time in the title match and only chance he would get to win an individual championship. The senior from New Lothrop, who has been part of three team MHSAA championship teams, didn’t let the opportunity slip by.
“This is just an amazing feeling,” Hersch said. “I lost in the second round all three years I’ve been here. To win it like this as a senior is amazing.”
Hersch’s title was the fourth individual title of the Finals for New Lothrop, as 145 was the final weight contended at this year’s meet.
“For our team to win four individual state titles is pretty special,” Hersch said.
152
Champion: Steven Garza II, New Lothrop, Sr. (57-1)
Decision, 9-5 over Zeth Caudill, Springport, Sr. (42-5)
After finishing as an undefeated individual champion last season, Garza came back and won a second straight title and finished his senior year with a 57-1 record.
“This is something I’ve wanted all year,” Garza said. “I’m grateful to be here and to be able to take home the state title. There are some great wrestlers here, and to be able to win two state titles is an awesome feeling.”
Garza jumped out to the early lead in the match and controlled the pace throughout.
“Last year I was really nervous,” Garza said. “It was the first one. This one I was still a little nervous, but the jitters were a little different this time.”
171
Champion: Erik Birchmeier, New Lothrop, Jr. (34-2)
Decision, 7-5 SV-1, over Mark Workman, Hesperia, Sr. (34-1)
Persistence paid off for Birchmeier. Trailing 5-2 going into the third period, he battled back to tie the match at 5-5 and then won in overtime.
“When I was trailing 5-2 I knew I needed to get after it,” Birchmeier said. “I gave it everything I had to bring it to overtime. I knew I just had to keep the pressure on.”
189
Champion: Nick Cooper, Springport, Jr. (41-1)
Fall, 1:49, over Hunter Sadler, Munising, Sr. (54-3)
Cooper’s older brother Jacob was a three-time MHSAA champion who graduated last year. This year Nick claimed his first title to carry on the family tradition.
“I can tell him that I’ve got one now,” Cooper said. “My brother has been very supportive of me. He has really helped me out a lot.”
Winning his own was actually less nerve-wracking for Jacob.
“I actually get more nervous watching him then when I wrestle myself,” Cooper said. “This really means a lot to me.”
215
Champion: Caleb Symons, New Lothrop, Sr. (55-1)
Fall, 2:35, over Devon Kozel, Bangor, Jr. (48-1)
After taking second at 189 pounds last year, Symons was not to be denied. A second period pin gave Symons the championship and also the 150th win of his career.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” Symons said. “Losing last year tore me apart. Winning it this year made it all worthwhile.”
In his second appearance in the Finals, Symons was more comfortable.
“Being here last year, I was not as nervous this time,” Symons said.
285
Champion: Kevin Koenig, Laingsburg, Sr. (55-1)
Fall, 1:22, over Logan Kennedy, Decatur, Jr. (49-6)
A Finals champion as a sophomore, Koenig dropped a two-point decision in last year’s 215-pound title match. This time, Koenig left nothing to chance.
“Heck yeah, this feels real good,” Koenig said. “Being a two-time state champion, not many people have done it. It definitely feels great.”
Koenig won all four of his matches at these MHSAA Finals with first-period falls.
“I’ve pretty much been doing it all season,” Koenig said. “I can’t describe the feeling of winning a second one.”
The MHSAA Wrestling Finals are presented by the Michigan Army National Guard.
PHOTO: Hudson's Kyle Johnson works to gain control against Farwell's Garrett McQuiston during Friday's Semifinal match. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Division 1 Makes History Adding 3 to 4-Time Champions Honor Roll
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
March 4, 2023
DETROIT – Never in the history of the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals had more than two wrestlers won their fourth title in the same year.
On Saturday, three accomplished the feat in Division 1 alone, including, for the first time ever, a pair of teammates.
Detroit Catholic Central’s Dylan Gilcher and Davison’s Josh Barr and Caden Horwath each won their fourth titles at Ford Field, joining an elite group that now numbers 35.
“I’m honored to be a part of that group,” Barr said after his 17-5 major decision victory against Hartland’s Brayden Bobo at 175 pounds. “It means that everything I did paid off, and I’m not done yet, I’m just getting started. Me and Braeden (Davis of Dundee, who won his fourth title in Division 3) are going to Penn State together. Caden and Dylan are going to Michigan together. I grew up with Dylan and Caden in the Team Donahoe wrestling room, I’ve been wrestling with Dylan and Caden for a long, long time. Caden is one of my best friends. And Braeden, we probably met when I was 8 or 9. We all push each other, for sure.”
Barr and Horwath were the fourth and fifth Davison wrestlers to win four titles, joining Brent Metcalf (2002-05), Lincoln Olson (2012-15) and Alex Facundo (2018-21).
“It’s pretty incredible just to be a part of something like that,” said Davison coach Zac Hall, who won four titles at St. Johns from 2011-14. “It’s crazy man, absolutely crazy. A couple years ago these kids were 2 feet smaller than me, and we’re playing dodgeball and kind of carefree. To see the level it’s gotten to, and these guys are obviously both in a situation to go on and do great things at the next level. It’s hard to even encapsulate in words. I’m just super proud of those two guys.”
Horwath claimed his fourth title with a 12-2 major decision against Grosse Pointe South’s Wyatt Hepner (39-7) at 126 pounds. His previous titles came at 103, 119 and 125.
“Just coming off the mat now, it feels pretty surreal,” said Horwath, who finished the season 22-1. “There’s no real feeling, I’m just happy right now. Happy me and my teammate did it, and my future teammate Dylan Gilcher, so that’s cool, too.”
Barr won his about an hour and a half earlier to finish off a 33-0 season. His previous titles came at 152, 160 and 171.
“I expected it of myself, so it feels like the right thing,” Barr said. “It hasn’t really hit me yet, all these people here, it’s awesome.”
It was also a record-tying day for Catholic Central, which had seven individual champions. The Shamrocks had seven champions in 2019, as well, a Division 1 record. Dundee holds the state record with eight in 2021.
Gilcher started it all off with a 20-4 technical fall in the second period against Travis Richards of Brighton (29-7) at 150 pounds.
His previous titles came at 112, 135 and 140. He finished his senior season at 32-0, and became the second DCC wrestler to win a fourth title, joining Kevon Davenport (2016-19).
“It feels real great,” Gilcher said. “Kevon texted me today and said, ‘Make history.’ I said I didn’t want to be No. 2, but I’m glad I am. I’m really glad I was first (on the team to wrestle Saturday), because I was stressing out about my match. But now all the stress is gone and I can watch happy, just cheer on my team, don’t have to worry about getting tired yelling.”
106
Champion: Wyatt Lees, Detroit Catholic Central, Fr. (42-10)
Decision, 3-2, over Brice LaFleur, Saline, Fr. (43-4)
Lees earned his third victory over LaFleur in four weeks, as the two had met in the District and Regional, as well.
“I felt good, I felt confident throughout the match,” Lees said. “I knew I put in the work and was ready for whatever was thrown at me. It was fun and a great opportunity.”
LaFleur was in the down position late in the match, and nearly was able to score a reversal in the final seconds, but Lees fought it off.
“I had an idea (of how much time was left),” Lees said. “But I was just going to wrestle through no matter what.”
113
Champion: Bohdan Abbey, Hartland, Fr. (44-3)
Major Decision, 13-5, over Archer Anderson, Clarkston, Soph. (27-9)
Abbey came into the match already owning a victory against Anderson this season, but he knew a second wouldn’t come easy.
“I had him earlier in the year, so I had some confidence going in, but anybody can be beat,” Abbey said. “It worked out my way. I wrestled smart, wrestled hard. It was a good match. It’s great, cause I’m only a freshman. I’ve been on other stages like this, but nothing is like the state tournament.”
Abbey held a 4-0 lead heading into the third period, and managed nine more points to put his first title away. For Anderson, it was a second-straight year placing, as he was fifth at 103 in 2022.
120
Champion: Caleb Weiand, Macomb Dakota, Sr. (47-0)
Decision, 5-3 (OT), over Josh Vasquez, Grandville, Soph. (41-3)
Weiand finished off an unbeaten season with his second-straight Finals title. The Michigan State-bound senior won at 112 pounds as a junior. He was runner-up at 103 as a sophomore.
“Two years ago, when I was a sophomore, I let the nerves get to me,” Weiand said. “Last year, I kicked that out, tried to get all the nerves away. This year, there were no nerves. I think it helps me perform way better.”
Vasquez forced overtime in the match with a takedown in the final seconds. But Weiand hit a beautiful duck under seconds into the extra frame to claim the victory.
132
Champion: Drew Heethuis, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (53-1)
Decision, 4-3, over Elijah Bunn, Rockford, Jr. (52-3)
Heethuis finished his career with a third Finals championship, as he had won at 112 and 119 the past two years.
He had a 3-0 lead heading into the third period, but had to hold off Bunn, a runner-up at 130 in 2022, in the final seconds.
“It feels awesome,” Heethuis said. “It wasn’t as dominant as I would have liked. But it’s awesome to go out on a third champ. It feels nice.”
Heethuis will wrestle next year at Princeton.
138
Champion: Justin Gates, Davison, Jr. (34-2)
Decision, 2-1, over Mason Stewart, Detroit Catholic Central, Jr. (47-6)
Gates found himself back on top of the podium after finishing runner-up in 2022 to Heethuis. He had won a title in 2021, defeating Weiand at 103 pounds.
“It means a lot more to me,” Gates said. “I feel like I’ve grown a lot more as a wrestler. After taking second, I had a chip on my shoulder.”
He pulled out the victory by scoring a reversal early in the third period and riding Stewart out for the final 1:36.
“I thought I was going to score some more points, but I’ll give credit where credit’s due. DCC always has a good gameplan for us,” Gates said. “I had to overcome and adapt to that. If it’s a close match, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do.”
144
Champion: Clayton Jones, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (49-3)
Technical Fall, 17-2, over Jay’Den Williams, Roseville, Fr. (47-2)
Jones won his second-straight Finals title, and did so in dominant fashion.
He led 7-1 after the first period, and 15-2 after the second. His takedown 28 seconds into the third ended the match.
“It felt great,” Jones said. “I just put in all the work that needed to be done. I was confident. I’ve been here before, and I was ready to go get my second one.”
Jones, a Michigan State commit, was DCC’s seventh champion on the night.
“This team was great,” he said. “We put in the work. (Coach Mitch) Hancock gave us a gameplan at the beginning of the season, and we stuck to that gameplan and got it done.”
157
Champion: Darius Marines, Detroit Catholic Central, Jr. (36-3)
Major Decision, 11-2, over Vinnie Abbey, Hartland, Jr. (46-3)
Marines set himself up to be the Shamrocks’ next four-time champion, claiming his third title in as many tries.
“It means a lot to me,” Marines said. “I want to make my family proud, make my teammates proud. That’s what I came to CC to do.”
Marines, who won at 145 and 152 the previous two years, scored a takedown nine seconds into the match and rolled from there.
“It’s just business,” Marines said. “Come here and get it done. I’m at the point where this is routine for me. I’m not being cocky, but that’s what we come here to do. It’s business. It’s just work.”
165
Champion: Cameron Adams, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (35-4)
Fall, 1:03, over Nick Rochowiak, Hartland, Sr. (39-4)
Adams had Rochowiak scouted, as they had run into each other several times over the years. So when he saw an opportunity, he was quick to take it.
“We used to wrestle all the time, so I know he’s got that headlock,” Adams said. “He got up to that pinch-like headlock position and I was like, ‘Oh shoot.’ I started backing away, backing away and I reached down for the leg, brought up the leg, grabbed the head when I had the single and put him away.”
Adams had finished seventh at 160 pounds in 2022.
“Honestly, it doesn’t feel real yet,” he said. “But it feels really good. It feels amazing.”
190
Champion: Brayden Mirjavadi, Romeo, Sr. (52-4)
Decision, 3-2, over Ryan Ahern, Rockford, Jr. (51-3)
Before Mirjavadi stepped onto the mat, his coaches told him to put everything he had into his match. He took that to heart, and after that match ended, struggled to get back to his feet, as exhaustion and emotion pinned his shoulders to the mat.
Eventually he made it to his feet, however, and the celebration could begin as he erased the regret of losing in the 2022 Final at 160 pounds.
“Coaches told me that, ‘At the end of the match, if you can get up to raise your hand, you did something wrong,’” Mirjavadi said. “I definitely did that last year at the state finals. But man, I did it this time.”
215
Champion: Connor Bercume, Detroit Catholic Central, Soph. (49-4)
Decision, 8-3 UTB, over Matthew Bollman, Lapeer, Sr. (40-4)
Bercume nearly won the match in regulation, but his takedown at the buzzer didn’t beat the clock.
He regrouped in the second overtime, however, scoring five points in the final 30-second period to win his first Finals title.
“I just had to keep wrestling,” Bercume said. “It was hard going to overtime. I thought I won. But I remember last year, I lost my blood round match in ultimate tiebreaker, and I remembered how that felt. And I just found a way to win.”
Bollman, who was Lapeer’s first finalist since 2015, forced overtime with a stalling call on Bercume seconds before the takedown that wasn’t.
285
Champion: Owen Hawley, Livonia Franklin, Sr. (55-0)
Decision, 4-2, over Judah Kinne, Lake Orion, Sr. (31-2)
Hawley won this match twice. Kind of.
He appeared to have claimed a 7-2 victory, but a clock malfunction forced officials to put 22 seconds back on the clock and reset the score to 4-2. Unfazed, Hawley was able to ride out Kinne and claim the victory for real.
“I wasted a little bit of energy on that celebration at first,” Hawley said with a laugh. “But looking at my crowd, my parents, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, their faces looked terrible. There was zero belief at that point. All I had to do was give them a thumb’s up, they started cheering, they got excited, and it made me excited.
“I love to wrestle – what’s 22 more seconds?”
PHOTOS (Top) Davison's Caden Horwath, top, works for control against Grosse Pointe South's Wyatt Hepner in their championship match Saturday at Ford Field. (Middle) Detroit Catholic Central's Dylan Gilcher and Brighton's Travis Richards wrestle at 150 pounds. (Below) Davison's Josh Barr readies for the next moment during his 175-pound title match. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)