Repeat Reaffirms Clinton's Spot Among Annual Contenders

By Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com

March 30, 2021

KALAMAZOO – The Clinton wrestling program took its place at the top of Division 4 a year ago, claiming the first Finals title in school history. 

On Tuesday, it emphatically announced that it’s here to stay.  

Clinton rolled through its competition throughout the day, topped off with a 55-9 win against New Lothrop at Wings Event Center, to claim its second-straight Division 4 title. 

“I think now people know that we’re the real deal,” Clinton co-coach Jeff Rolland said. “We solidified what we did last year. We’ve got a lot of young kids – there's only four guys in our lineup every day that aren’t going to be here next year. We did this without three all-staters in our lineup from last year. We have a lot of depth. We have more coming. I think people know that we’re for real now. It’s not a one-year deal or whatever.” 

Clinton was dominant throughout the postseason, and closed it out the same way, winning 76-6 in the Quarterfinal against Ravenna and 59-9 in the Semifinal against Leslie. That’s despite what Rolland said was a performance in the Semifinal that was less than the team’s best. But Clinton has reached the point where it can win even when it’s not at the top of its game. 

“Since my freshman year we were chasing it and we fell short, then we fell short again my sophomore year,” senior Landis Gillman said. “My junior year we really picked it up, and we got into the mindset that we wanted it. We became a family. We’ve just been striving and pushing ourselves to the limits to reach this point.” 

And in case there was any doubt remaining about the program’s status, Clinton has won its titles against the two programs that had dominated the division for more than a decade prior – Hudson (2020) and New Lothrop.  

“Last year was big because we had to go through both,” Rolland said. “New Lothrop, if they’re not the most storied program in the state, I don’t know who is. We’ve got nothing but respect for that team, those guys. It makes it special when you beat a team like that, for sure.” 

It was Gillman who started Clinton off with a bang in the Finals, as he bumped up to 140 pounds and won by major decision against New Lothrop’s Andrew Krupp in a matchup of wrestlers ranked in the top three.  

Clinton won the first six matches of the dual, five by major decision – by Gillman, Kent McCombs (145), AJ Baxter (152), Spencer Konz (160) and Logan Badge (189) – and one with a first-period pin from Brayden Randolph (171).  

“Landis had a day today,” Rolland said. “He went through some kids today. That was big. He’s up a weight class. He’s very, very good as you saw. But a major starting out, I think our kids fed off that. I’m so proud of that kid. He’s a senior, he spent two years on the bench, waited his turn, and now he’s got his shot.” 

Clinton wrestlingNew Lothrop picked up its two wins in the dual at 215 and 285, as Grayson Orr won a 4-3 decision, followed by a second-period fall from Isiah Pasik.  

Clinton closed the dual out with six straight wins, however, as Connor Younts (103) and Ethan Younts (135) each won by pin, Nik Shadley (125) won by technical fall, and Coy Perry (112) and Zak Shadley (130) won by decision. Connor Busz (119) won by forfeit.  

“We did what we needed to do; we wrestled those kids hard,” New Lothrop coach Jeff Campbell said. “They sent a kid out at every weight that was a very talented wrestler, a very experienced wrestler who was well-coached, and we had to compete hard against them, and every single kid did. We just didn’t have as much ammunition as they did today. But I was really, really proud of our effort. We made plenty of mistakes, but we definitely made every point get earned, and that’s all we can try to do.” 

The championship match appearance was the first since 2018 for the Hornets, who had made five straight starting in 2014 and have won 15 team titles. 

“It’s an expectation – from the youth level up, we try to put ourselves in a position to do well,” Campbell said. “I think it’s great for our younger guys, and those younger guys that got to step onto the mat. It’s another one of those years when we lose a good crop of seniors. I told them out here, ‘You seniors, your legacy isn’t whether or not you win or lose this last match or you win or lose a state title yourself. It’s what did you teach the kids along the way? Even when you didn’t know they were watching, what were you doing? How hard were you working? Were you cutting weight the right way? Did you compete in these matches when you were the underdog fearless and wrestle hard?’ They showed that today.” 

New Lothrop defeated Bark River-Harris 54-20 in the Quarterfinal, and received a bye in the Semifinal, as both Hudson and Schoolcraft were disqualified for putting in a wrestler at an ineligible weight in their Quarterfinal. 

Gillman, McCombs, Baxter, Randolph, Badge, Connor Younts, Perry, Busz and Zak Shadley each picked up three wins on the day for Clinton. 

Click for full results.

PHOTOS: (Top) Clinton’s Landis Gillman wrestles New Lothrop’s Andrew Krupp during Tuesday’s Division 4 Final. (Middle) Clinton celebrates its repeat championship. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

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.

Whitmore Lake’s Robert Cann (in red) works toward a win over Iron Mountain’s Fulton Stroud.

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.

Click for full results.

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.)