Team Finals: 32 Contenders, at a Glance

February 23, 2012

Headed to Battle Creek this weekend? So are 32 wrestling teams competing for one of four MHSAA team championships beginning with Friday's Quarterfinals at Battle Creek. 

Check out our division-by-division primers with information on every team competing this weekend, including their championship histories and MHSAA Individual Finals qualifiers this winter.

Click for a schedule of all matches through Saturday's Finals, plus results as matches are complete. Teams are listed below by Quarterfinal seed.

Division 1


#1 DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL

Record/rank:
22-3, No. 1
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic High School League
Coach: Mitch Hancock, fifth season (103-25)
Championship history: Eight MHSAA championships (most recently in 2010), two runner-up finishes
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Trevor Zdebski (fr.) 31-5, 112 Myles Amine (fr.) 33-12, 125 T.J. Fagan (sr.) 21-3, 130 Ken Bade (soph.) 43-1, 135 Malik Amine (soph.) 32-8, 152 Alec Mooradian (sr.) 41-2, 160 Nick Mason (sr.) 38-9, 171 Drew Garcia (soph.) 39-3, 189 Kevin Beazley (sr.) 41-1, 285 Bob Coe (jr.) 35-6,
Outlook: The Shamrocks are among favorites again and lost by just a point to Oxford in last season’s Final. DCC has given up just 20 points through four matches so far in the tournament, and shut out two opponents. A line-up with 10 individual Finals qualifiers is headed by Mooradian, who is hoping for his fourth MHSAA individual championship next week. Garcia and Beazley were individual runners-up in 2011.

#2 BRIGHTON
Record/rank: 39-0, No. 3
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association
Coach: Sam Amine, sixth season (212-23)
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA championship match.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 119 Jordan Amine (jr.) 46-6, 130 C.J. Brish (sr.) 49-3, 135 Evan Hoshaw (sr.) 49-3, 140 Ryan Foley (jr.) 39-6, 145 Nick Brish (fr.) 43-9, 152 Aaron Calderon (jr.) 52-2, 160 Jordan Maschke (sr.) 48-4, 171 Andy White (sr.) 48-6.
Outlook: Sam Amine has Brighton on the cusp of its first MHSAA team championship, and led Warren Lincoln to the 1994 Class A championship. His career record of 549-76 places him eighth in MHSAA wrestling history for coaching wins. The Bulldogs might be the most senior-heavy team in the tournament, with 10 expected in the starting lineup.

#3 DAVISON
Record/rank: 19-4, No. 2
Coach: Roy Hall, 15th season (378-64-1)
Championship history: Eight MHSAA championships (most recently 2006), one runner-up finish.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Jacob Madrigal (soph.) 32-12, 103 Lincoln Olson (fr.) 41-0, 119 Justin Oliver (soph.) 39-2, 125 Dominic Russ (soph.) 35-9, 130 Matthew Miller (soph.) 26-4, 135 Carter Stoddard (jr.) 31-11, 140 Thomas Garty (soph.) 31-10, 145 Patrick Rooker (jr.) 22-10, 160 Jordan Cooks (soph.) 30-2.
Outlook: Davison is back in the Quarterfinals for the first time in four seasons and after winning its 14th consecutive league title. Davison had one of the MHSAA’s most dominant runs ever under Hall, with five straight championships from 2002-06, and six total in seven seasons. Oliver is the reigning MHSAA individual champion at 112, and one of six sophomores in a starting line-up that also features just one senior.  

#4 TEMPERANCE BEDFORD
Record/rank: 20-3, No. 4
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference
Coach: Kevin Vogel, first season (20-3)
Championship history: 11 MHSAA championships (most recently 2011), seven runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 112 Mitch Rogaliner (jr.) 41-2, 119 Mitch Pawlak (jr.) 39-10, 140 Al Regnier (sr.) 38-11, 189 Brandon Sunday (jr.) 44-5, 215 Bryan Smith (sr.) 40-1, 285 Logan Rimmer (sr.) 43-1.
Outlook: Vogel, a two-time individual champion for Temperance Bedford, in 1986 and 1987, starts 10 wrestlers with at least 30 wins this season, including 2011 individual runners-up up Rogaliner and Rimmer. The Kicking Mules eliminated No. 10 Westland John Glenn on the way to Kellogg Arena.

#5 HARTLAND
Record/rank: 29-3, No. 5
League finish: Second in Kensington Lakes Activities Association
Coach: Todd Cheney, 20th season (529-86-2)
Championship history: Four MHSAA runner-up finishes (most recently in 2007)
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Nate Hughes (soph.) 45-7, 112 Jacob Gorial (fr.) 46-8, 119 Austin Eicher (soph.) 47-6, 125 Justin Rollins (soph.) 29-16, 140 Anthony Colaianne (soph.) 41-12, 152 Mitchell Thomas (jr.) 44-10, 160 Chad Maks (jr.) 24-12, 171 Justin Charneski (sr.) 42-12, 189 Matt Ostermiller (sr.) 45-8, 215 Brian Braun (jr.) 44-8.
Outlook: An MHSAA team championship could be a crowning achievement for Cheney, who led Hartland to runner-up finishes four straight seasons from 2004-07. The Eagles have made 11 straight Quarterfinals. And that streak should continue for at least a few more winters – Charneski, Ostermiller and Braun are the only seniors in the regular starting line-up, which features seven wrestlers with at least 40 wins this season.

#6 OXFORD
Record/rank:
18-5, No. 7
League finish: Tied for first in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Brandon Rank, first season (18-5)
Championship history: One MHSAA championship (2011), one runner-up finish.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Dan Curtis (jr.) 40-12, 112 Edwin Schlickenmeyer (soph.) 31-7, 125 Kyle Hill (sr.) 46-5, 130 Mike Willits (soph.) 41-9, 135 Noah Cantara (sr.) 36-16, 140 Rocco Borg (jr.) 42-8, 145 Wes Maskill (soph.) 34-14, 152 Jacob Peasley (sr.) 32-2, 160 Marty Giannola (jr.) 41-14, 171 Liam Logan (jr.) 23-20, 215 Prescott Line (sr.) 42-0.
Outlook: Oxford emerged from arguably the most competitive region in any division, downing No. 9 Fair Haven Anchor Bay and No. 6 Rochester to return to Battle Creek and continue its title defense. Rank took over the program this season after five as an assistant and inherited a reigning individual MHSAA champion in Line and six more starters from last season’s championship team.

#7 GRAND HAVEN
Record/rank:
21-7, unranked
League finish: First in O-K Red
Coach: James Richardson, 13th season (226-74)
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA championship match.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Camden Bertucci (fr.) 42-3, 125 John Juchartz (sr.) 26-14, 135 Allen Torres (sr.) 38-8, 152 Dakota Juarez (soph.) 36-5, 171 Connor Moynihan (jr.) 43-2, 189 Dakota Smith (sr.) 12-1, 215 Matt Mulcahy (jr.) 30-16, 215 Garrett Kelly (sr.) 36-9, 285 Ian Raddle (sr.) 32-12.
Outlook: Although the Buccaneers had won 12 districts in Richardson’s 13 seasons, this is their first time going a step further under the former Eaton Rapids and Michigan State standout. And they could be one of the most dangerous underdogs this weekend, coming off a win over No. 8 Rockford in the Regional and with seven wrestlers boasting at least 30 wins.

#8 ROSEVILLE
Record/rank: 13-15, unranked
League finish: Third in Macomb Area Conference Red
Coach: Davon Gray, second season (22-31)
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA championship match.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 112 Doug Zundel (sr.) 38-5, 140 Kirk Wawrzyniak (sr.) 45-3, 189 John Potestato (sr.) 28-19.
Outlook: For the second straight season, Roseville posted a sub-.500 match record but has advanced to the MHSAA Quarterfinals. Gray won individual MHSAA championships for Roseville in 1993 and 1994. Seven of his starters have won at least 20 matches this season.

Division 2

#1 ST. JOHNS
Record/rank:
22-1, No. 1
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Coach: Zane Ballard, 10th season (208-85)
Championship history: Two MHSAA championships (most recently 2011)
Individual Finals qualifiers: 112 Zac Hall (soph.) 34-1, 119 Logan Massa (fr.) 36-1, 125 Jacob Schmitt (jr.) 37-2, 130 Rory Bender (sr.) 28-7, 135 Brant Schafer (jr.) 33-1, 135 Cameron Bender (sr.) 26-5, 140 Ben Whitford (jr.) 33-0, 145 Josh Pennell (jr.) 36-2, 152 Travis Curley (sr.) 36-3, 160 Jordan Wohlfert (sr.) 37-1, 171 Taylor Massa (sr.) 35-0, 215 Conrado Dominguez (sr.) 14-5, 215 Payne Hayden (jr.) 36-5.
Outlook: The Redwings return 10 starters from last season’s championship team, including reigning individual MHSAA champs Hall, Taylor Massa and Wohlfert and runners-up Schmitt and Schafer. St. Johns also won Division 2 in 2010. That lone defeat this winter came against Lakewood St. Edward of Ohio, the Redwings first loss since 2009-10. Still, St. Johns is considered arguably the top team in any division this weekend.

#2 LOWELL
Record/rank:
24-1, No. 2
League finish: First in O-K White
Coach: David Dean, seventh season (194-31)
Championship history: Three MHSAA championships (most recently 2009), four runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Derek Krajewski (soph.) 32-8, 112 Bailey Jack (soph.) 33-4, 119 Jordan Hall (fr.) 27-7, 125 Kalvin Meyer (sr.) 23-15, 125 Nate Limmex (fr.) 32-6, 140 Gabe Morse (sr.) 35-0, 145 Angus Arthur (fr.) 32-8, 152 Kanon Dean (soph.) 23-10, Andrew Morse (sr.) 30-0, 171 Garrett Stehley (soph.) 31-3, Gabe Dean (sr.) 27-3, 215 Josh Colegrove (fr.) 28-0.
Outlook: Although Lowell fell to St. Johns by 23 earlier this season, it is considered the favorite if any team is going to hand the Redwings their first in-state loss in two seasons. The Red Arrows are back at Kellogg for the second straight season under Dean, a former assistant at Michigan State, and gave up a combined 18 points in four matches during the postseason. Gabe Morse, Andrew Morse and Gabe Dean all are reigning Division 2 individual champions.

#3 ALLEGAN
Record/rank:
32-3, No. 4
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Murray Rose, 25th season (623-135-2)
Championship history: Two MHSAA championships (most recently 2007), two runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 119 Austin Kelley (jr.) 54-3, 130 Kyle Simaz (soph.) 55-2, 145 Taylor Simaz (sr.) 53-1, 152 Drew Huff (jr.) 41-15, 160 Andrew Kelley (sr.) 53-3, 215 Devyn Hinds (sr.) 16-8.
Outlook: Rose is one of just a handful of coaches in MHSAA wrestling history with more than 600 wins, and has led his team to league championships 17 of the last 19 seasons. Allegan beat No. 8 Byron Center by 27 in the Regional and gave up an average of just 10.5 points in four matches to get to Battle Creek. Kyle Simaz was an individual runner-up at 119 pounds last season, and Taylor Simaz won the 125-pound championship in 2010.

#4 TECUMSEH
Record/rank:
29-4, No. 3
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference
Coach: Tony Greathouse, first season (29-4)
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA championship match.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Ricky Azelton (soph.) 37-17, 112 Chase Lewis (sr.) 33-6, 135 Ronnie Bechtol (sr.) 41-9, 140 Anthony Lesko (jr.) 39-7, 152 Christian Shelby (sr.) 42-13, 171 Cole Amstutz (jr.) 39-12, 285 Joe Rebottaro (jr.) 40-14.
Outlook: Greathouse, a former Mason High and Michigan State University standout, has Tecumseh contending for its first MHSAA championship in his first season after serving as an assistant in 2010-11. While individual Finals qualifiers make up half the starting line-up, balance makes the Indians even tougher – nine starters have won at least 30 matches this season.  

#5 GREENVILLE
Record/rank:
26-7, No. 5
League finish: Second in O-K White
Coach: Paul Johnson, 23rd season (508-110-3)
Championship history: One MHSAA championship (2008), one runner-up finish.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Mike Schmidt (fr.) 42-10, 125 Alec Ward (soph.) 40-12, 140 Devon Lehman (sr.) 34-9, 160 Luke Gilmore (sr.) 38-4, 189 Jordan Thomas (sr.) 41-0, 215 Carter Magirl (jr.) 26-17.
Outlook: Greenville finished runner-up to St. Johns last season and is making its third straight trip to Kellogg after winning its seventh straight District championship. Eight starters from last season’s championship match are expected to start this weekend as well, including Thomas – who will wrestle for his third straight individual championship next weekend and finished among runners-up as a freshman.

#6 STEVENSVILLE LAKESHORE
Record/rank:
22-9, No. 7
League finish: First in Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference
Coach: Bruce Bittenbender, 42nd season (809-201-2)
Championship history: Two MHSAA runner-up finishes (most recently 1994)
Individual Finals qualifiers: 112 Aaron Ward (fr.) 35-15, 119 Noah Hanau (fr.) 33-18, 125 Patrick Blommel (soph.) 26-21, 140 Travis Dragomer (sr.) 42-5, 160 J.P. McDougall (jr.) 32-13, 215 Kyle Spear (sr.) 31-3, 285 Kyle Carlson (sr.) 41-3.
Outlook: Bittenbender entered this season second nationally in career wins among wrestling coaches, and has his team in Battle Creek for the fifth straight season. His line-up has at least three wrestlers from every grade – and seven with 30 or more victories this season.

#7 HOLLY
Record/rank:
29-5, No. 6
League finish: First in Flint Metro League
Coach: Don Pluta, 29th season (531-236)
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA championship match.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 119 Tyler Gibson (sr.) 45-6, 125 Mason Cleaver (jr.) 47-1, 130 Anthony Gonzales (jr.) 43-3, 145 Andrew Scott (soph.) 39-6, 215 Shawn Scott (sr.) 47-0.
Outlook: Shawn Scott, a Division 2 individual runner-up at 171 last season, is best-known of the Bronchos. But the team’s strength might be from 119-135 – Gibson, Cleaver and Gonzales have a combined nine losses, and junior Zach Jones is 24-2 holding down 135. Pluta is another member of the 500-win coaching club and has led Holly to five District championships in six seasons.

#8 MASON
Record/rank: 35-4, No. 10
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Gold
Coach: Brian Martel, ninth season (274-55)
Championship history: Three MHSAA championships (most recently 2006), one runner-up finish.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 140 Rylen Droscha (soph.) 38-7, 145 Sean Houghton (jr.) 38-12, 152 Nick Starzec (sr.) 44-1, 160 Thomas Beebe (sr.) 35-10, 171 Austin Droscha (jr.) 35-11, 189 Bobby Albert (sr.) 39-11, 285 Adam Robinson (sr.) 42-4.
Outlook: Mason is a regular at Kellogg, and won three championships over four seasons from 2003-06. The Bulldogs have increased their team win total each of the last three seasons and should give St. Johns a good battle boasting eight wrestlers with at least 30 wins. Starzec is a reigning MHSAA individual runner-up, and Robinson is considered a contender at heavyweight next weekend.

Division 3

#1 RICHMOND
Record/rank:
26-5, No. 1
League finish: Tied for first in Blue Water Area Conference
Co-coaches: Brandon Day, eighth season (277-59); George T. Hamblin, 20th season (545-162-1)
Championship history: Five MHSAA championships (most recently 2011), three runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 112 Austin Vannatter (fr.) 30-14, 119 Stephen Ireland (sr.) 18-3, 119 Nick Burg (soph.) 32-11, 125 Dustin Pitcel (sr.) 41-5, 125 Austin Cattera (jr.) 38-10, 135 Devin Skatzka (fr.) 40-8, 135 Nate Henke (jr.) 35-9, 140 Garrett Edwards (sr.) 44-6, 160 Scott Gulette (sr.) 34-17, 171 John Gaffney (sr.) 39-13, 189 Eric Boyd (sr.) 40-13, 215 Greg Sebastian (sr.) 38-6, 285 Josh Younk (sr.) 38-14.
Outlook: Richmond has won the last two Division 3 team championships and yielded only nine points in four postseason matches so far this winter. Pitcel is the reigning individual runner-up at 119 pounds last season and is among 13 state qualifiers; all 14 starters have winning records this season.

#2 DUNDEE
Record/rank:
15-7, No. 2
League finish: Tied for first in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Coach: Tim Roberts, 13th season (364-51-1)
Championship history: Six MHSAA championships (most recently 2007), four runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Jalen Torres (soph.) 30-22, 130 Doug Rojem (soph.) 45-3, 130 Brandon Atchley (sr.) 35-12, 140 Sean Marogen (soph.) 21-10, 140 Brody Whitman (jr.) 37-12, 145 Liam Grantham (jr.) 29-5, 152 Todd Olson (jr.) 31-10, Zach Newhouse (sr.) 44-8, 171 Teddy Warren (soph.) 40-8, 215 Jay Sroufe (jr.) 33-9, 285 Josh Marogen (jr.) 30-5.
Outlook: All six of Dundee’s individual finalists from last season moved on, but no matter. The Vikings are in the Quarterfinals for the 10th consecutive season and hoping for their first championship berth since finishing runner-up for the third straight year in 2010.

#3 REMUS CHIPPEWA HILLS
Record/rank: 36-4, No. 3
League finish: Tied for first in Central State Activities Association
Coach: Nate Ethridge, 12th season (355-74)
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA championship match.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Zach King (soph.) 39-8, 112 Zack Cooper (jr.) 55-2, 119 Nathan Weckesser (soph.)  48-12, 119 James Leiter (sr.) 54-5, 135 John Wernette (jr.) 53-7, 140 Jason Peacock (jr.) 40-1, 145 Latear Dukes (jr.) 41-18, 189 Damien Curtice (sr.) 47-14, 215 Quentin Moody (sr.) 41-17.
Outlook: Ethridge has led Chippewa Hills to five Quarterfinals over the last seven seasons, and this could be the tournament the Warriors break through. All but two wrestlers have at least 30 wins this season, and two more not in the probable lineup for this weekend have won at least 25 matches apiece. Cooper is the reigning individual champion at 103.

#4 BIRCH RUN
Record/rank:
22-3, No. 4
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference East
Coach: Bart Bennett, fourth season (110-18)
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA championship match.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Jerry Fenner (fr.) 47-4, 112 Adam Bishop (jr.) 42-9, 130 Lake Bennett (jr.) 50-4, 135 Damian Johnson (jr.) 43-8, 152 Caleb Slavik (sr.) 40-5.
Outlook: Birch Run has won three straight Districts under Bart Bennett, a 2001 individual champion for the Panthers, and finished ahead of three other ranked teams to claim the overall TVC championship earlier this season. Birch Run has 12 wrestlers with at least 30 wins, and gave up only 27 points total in four postseason matches.

#5 OTSEGO
Record/rank:
28-2, No. 7
League finish: Second in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Brian Sparks, fourth season (121-35)
Championship history: One MHSAA championship (2001)
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Holden Dunklee (jr.) 43-10, 112 Matt Chavez (sr.) 31-9, 119 Kody Hukill (jr.) 43-8, 125 Johnny Johnson (jr.) 38-10, 130 Alberto Lopez (sr.) 46-2, 140 Eric Dennis (sr.) 46-5, 171 Cory Livingston (jr.) 44-7.
Outlook: Otsego finished second in its league to only Division 2 Quarterfinalist Allegan, and is back in the Division 3 Quarterfinals for the second straight season. Although junior Devin Barker didn’t qualify for the Individual Finals, he’s 37-7 and further strengthens a solid group that anchors to lower part of the lineup.

#6 WHITEHALL
Record/rank:
24-6, No. 5
League finish: Second in West Michigan Conference
Coach: Cliff Sandee, fifth season (123-25)
Championship history: One MHSAA runner-up finish (1984).
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Logan Irey (jr.) 44-5, 119 Nate Manthei (jr.) 38-13, 125 Alex Whitener (soph.) 29-18, 130 Josh Couturier (sr.) 35-16, 145 Dillon McCarthy (sr.) 42-6, 152 Steven Sika (jr.) 43-8, 160 Cameron Lewis (sr.) 27-14, 171 Joe Sika (jr.) 42-9, 189 Logan Potter (sr.) 46-5, 285 Logan Morningstar (jr.) 41-8.
Outlook: Whitehall set a program record with 10 individual qualifiers this season. That doesn’t include junior Casey Robinson, who also has 30 wins this season, at 119. The Vikings nearly doubled up No. 6 Allendale in the Regional Final.

#7 CARO
Record/rank:
27-2, No. 8
League finish: Second in TVC East
Co-coaches: Steve Ley, 31st season (436-114-1); Bob Suranye, 27th season (409-96-2)
Championship history: One MHSAA championship (2003), two runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Shane Herrman (jr.) 45-5, 112 Cody Hall (sr.) 46-5, 160 Trevor Jaster (jr.) 40-5, 171 Jeremy Decker (sr.) 45-9, 189 Kendall Betteridge (soph.) 48-5.
Outlook: Caro is back in the Quarterfinals for the first time since finishing up a five-year run in 2007. Jaster is a two-time individual Finals runner-up and one of six Tigers with at least 40 wins this season. And this could be the start of another streak. Of eight Caro wrestlers who have at least 30 wins, only two are seniors.

#8 ROSCOMMON
Record/rank:
24-5, unranked
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Coach: Ron Noreyko, first season (24-5)
Championship history: One MHSAA runner-up finish (2006)
Individual Finals qualifiers: 119 Dustin Noreyko (sr.) 24-2, 125 Caleb Jernigan (soph.) 39-8, 140 Drake Lewandowski (jr.) 36-9.
Outlook: Roscommon may have just three individual Finals qualifiers, but is strong through the low and middle weights. Damien Lewandowski (15-9), Marcus Kelley (38-5) and Matt Morley (37-9) mix with the team’s qualifiers to fill six straight weights through the middle of the lineup.  

Division 4

#1 HUDSON
Record/rank:
24-2, No. 1
League finish: First in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Coach: Scott Marry, 24th season (627-135)
Championship history: Three MHSAA championships (most recently 2011).
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Roddy Hamdam (fr.) 34-10, 103 Isaac Dusseau (soph.) 33-9, 112 Tyler Roberts (fr.) 33-12, 119 Cole Weaver (soph.) 44-0, 125 J.D. Waters (soph.) 36-12, 135 Luke Sparapani (sr.) 33-12, 152 Joel Varney (sr.) 43-2, 160 Devan Marry (sr.) 43-2, 189 Cody Walden (sr.) 25-20, 189 James Herron (sr.) 38-7, 285 Zach Rieger (jr.) 41-4.
Outlook: The Tigers’ run over the last four seasons is nothing short of dominant. Hudson is seeking a fourth straight MHSAA team championship, and Scott Marry also is one of only a few in MHSAA history who have won 600 matches. Varney is the reigning Division 4 individual champion at 145 pounds and Weaver and Devan Marry were runners-up in 2011.

#2 NEW LOTHROP
Record/rank:
26-2, No. 2
League finish: First in Genesee Area Conference
Coach: Jeff Campbell, 11th season (275-57)
Championship history: 12 MHSAA championships (most recently 2004), four runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 125 Josh Wendling (soph.) 39-7, 130 Jacob Perrin (jr.) 46-3, 135 Taylor Krupp (soph.) 50-5, 140 Clayton Simons (jr.) 29-5, 145 Aaron Bauman (soph.) 43-9, 152 Dakota Clark (soph.) 17-14, 160 Cody Symons (soph.) 39-12, 171 Wade Earhardt (sr.) 49-1, 189 Spencer Gross (sr.) 26-6, 189 Austin Severn (sr.) 51-2, 285 Owen Wilson (soph.) 31-16.
 Outlook: Simons and Severn are reigning individual champions and top a group of 11 individual qualifiers – but there are just three seniors in that bunch and four total in the starting lineup. Perrin, Krupp, Simons and Bauman give the Hornets four straight weights with wrestlers who have either won at least 40 matches or an MHSAA championship. New Lothrop has advanced to at least the Quarterfinals in all 11 of Campbell's seasons running the program, and last finished runner-up in 2007.

#3 SHELBY
Record/rank: 31-2, No. 4
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference
Coach: Ed Felt, 16th season (411-84)
Championship history: Two MHSAA championships (most recently 1972)
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Austin Felt (jr.) 48-6, 119 Will Foster (sr.) 52-5, 125 David Guerra (soph.) 35-8, 135 Jordan White (sr.) 22-7, 140 Trevor Dezwaan (sr.) 43-12, 152 Forrest Courtright (soph.) 37-20, 171 Mason Courtright (sr.) 52-4, 215 Dillion Ankney (jr.) 42-6.
Outlook: Despite Shelby’s long absence from an MHSAA championship match, the Tigers are headed to the Quarterfinals for the third time under Felt and competed in Division 3 until moving into Division 4 this winter. Shelby has won 12 league titles over the last 13 seasons, this season one spot ahead of Division 3 Quarterfinalist Whitehall.

#4 MANCHESTER
Record/rank:
27-2 , No. 9
League finish: Tied for first in Cascades Conference
Coach: Steve Vleck, 21st season (401-171)
Championship history: One MHSAA runner-up finish (2008)
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Brock Vleck (103) 36-11, 130 Tom Conway (sr.) 28-9, 130 Case Kittel (sr.) 30-15, 135 Eric Coval (soph.) 37-13, 171 Cody Render (sr.) 35-4, 215 Austin Hamilton (sr.) 44-4.
Outlook: Manchester is making its fifth Quarterfinal appearance in six seasons and also has won eight straight District titles. All 14 starters plus five subs have winning records this season – and although only Hamilton has more than 40 wins, 13 others have at least 19 victories.

#5 CONSTANTINE
Record/rank:
32-2, unranked
League finish: First in Kalamazoo Valley Association
Coach: Steve Wilson, sixth season (170-39)
Championship history: One MHSAA championship (1993), one runner-up finish.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 152 Ben Mallo (jr.) 39-5, 160 Jeremiah Waterman (jr.) 42-7, 171 Dominick Rogers (jr.) 38-10, 285 Andrew Turner (jr.) 28-13.
Outlook: Constantine is making its third straight Quarterfinal appearance and is a combined 111-10 over those three seasons. All but one starter has a winning record, and four subs are over .500 as well. Six have at least 30 wins, and 12 at least 20.

#6 DECATUR
Record/rank:
26-2, No. 6
League finish: Second in Southwestern Athletic Conference
Coach: Brian Southworth, 28th season (567-198-3)
Championship history: Has never appeared in a championship match.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Hunter Bell (fr.) 45-4, 112 Luke Bell (sr.) 49-1, 125 Ryan Smit (sr.) 45-8, 285 Zack Kennedy (sr.) 39-8.
Outlook: Decatur is making its second straight Quarterfinal appearance, and despite just a handful of individual qualifiers is solid throughout the line-up. All 14 starters have winning records – 11 have 30 or more wins – plus five subs are better than .500 this season. Sophomore Jason Nash didn’t advance to the Individual Finals, but is one of four with more than 40 wins.

#7 ROGERS CITY
Record/rank:
26-10, unranked
League finish: Second in Straits Area Conference
Coach: Pat Lamb, 14th season (342-99)
Championship history: One MHSAA runner-up finish (2005)
Individual Finals qualifiers: 119 Joe Sobeck (sr.) 32-7, 125 Evan Lamb (jr.) 50-5, 189 Caleb Pommerenke (jr.) 37-8.
Outlook: This is Rogers City’s first Quarterfinal appearance since 2008, but the Hurons have reached this round seven times under Pat Lamb. Freshmen Cameron Urban and Jacob Sobeck also have topped 40 wins this season and wrestle at 103 and 119, respectively. Joe Sobeck is one of only three seniors on the team, which could mean this is just the first of repeat trips to Kellogg.

#8 HOLTON
Record/rank:
24-8, unranked
League finish: Third in Central State Activities Association
Coach: Kevin Gue, fourth season (record N/A)
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA championship match.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 103 Jordan Whitener (fr.) 35-14, 112 Garrett Martin (fr.) 45-7, 119 Grant Younts (soph.) 33-18, 145 Jacob Moreen (jr.) 37-12, 152 Sheldon Cregg (sr.) 28-23, 215 Chet Atkins (sr.) 48-6.
Outlook: Holton is one of two Quarterfinalists from the CSAA, joining Division 3 qualifier Remus Chippewa Hills, and despite voiding at 171 pounds. Although freshman Hayden Cregg (125) and senior Derek Sova (189) will not be joining their teammates at the Individual Finals, both have 41 wins this season and further augment the lineup.

PHOTO, from last season's Hudson/Manchester Semifinal, courtesy of Mid-Michigan Sports Scene.

Davison's Facundo Earns Historic Opportunity

March 7, 2020

By Dan Stickradt
Special for Second Half 

DETROIT — Alex Facundo suffered a blow when he was disqualified one week ago during a match at the Division 1 Team Finals against eventual champion Detroit Catholic Central. 

But Facundo, the top-ranked wrestler in both the state and nation, did not let last weekend’s setback deter his goal this weekend of winning a third Individual Finals title.

Facundo, a junior who has committed to Penn State, posted a 13-5 major decision victory over Grandville’s Josh Kenny at 171 pounds at Ford Field. 

“I wanted to win this really bad and prove that I was the best in the state — and nation,” smiled Facundo. “I did that today. (Last week’s opponent) didn’t beat me. I lost on a (technically). I had something to prove.”

Facundo, who finished 39-2 this winter, will try to join an elite crowd next season as he’ll pursue a fourth MHSAA individual title.

“I’m really happy with the third title. I knew I could do it,” he said. “Next year, I’ll come back and go after my fourth title.”

Kenny, a senior who was third at 152 last season, finished 38-2.

103

Caden Horwath, Davison, Fr. (43-2)
Decision, 7-2, over Louden Stradling, Battle Creek Lakeview, Fr. (51-2)

One of five finalists for Davison, Horwath wrapped up a stellar 44-2 freshman campaign.

“I got a couple of takedowns early, rode him pretty hard on top and I took control,” said Horwath. “It means a lot to me because all of my hard work paid off. It’s a little relief off my shoulders.

“There’s a lot of (history) at Davison and because we lost (in the Team Final) it feels good for all of us to do well here,” added Horwath. “Now I hope to be back next year.”

112

Dylan Gilcher, Detroit Catholic Central, Fr., (40-3)
Technical fall, 18-3 (4:29), over Aiden Smith, Brighton, Soph. (39-11)

One of the state’s premier freshmen, Gilcher joined Catholic Central’s long list of Finals champions.

“There’s so much history at CC, and it’s incredible to be able to win a title,” said Gilcher. “It’s an incredible feeling and such a blessing to wrestle here at (Catholic Central). There’s some really high expectations.”

119

Brendan Ferretti, Macomb Dakota, Jr. (34-1)
Decision, 7-2, over Andrew Hampton, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, Jr. (52-2)

Ferretti has been nearly unstoppable the past two seasons, posting a 90-1 record during that span. The junior outlasted Hampton to capture his second straight title.

Ferretti won at 112 last season. 

“I never wrestled (Hampton) in my life. I just know I’m the best in my (weight) class and I wanted this,” said Ferretti. “I was nervous coming in, but it’s always good to work out those nerves and just go out there and win. I love this. I thrive off of (the big crowds). It makes it so much better, I think."

125

Andrew Chambal, Davison, Sr., (42-5)
Decision, 5-1, over Mason Shrader, Brighton, Jr. (41-7)

Davison had five finalists, and top-seeded Andrew Chambal came through with the victory in his final high school match. 

He finished second at 119 last season. 

“I went to a really dark place last year after I lost,” said Chambal. “Things were different for a while. Coming out here and doing what I love and coming out on top means the world to me. This changes my life. I feel like I’m on top of the world again.”

130

Sam Freeman, Brighton, Sr. (41-5)
Decision, 3-2, over Dylan Phelps, Holt, Sr. (39-5)

Freeman put together four years of hard work to reach the summit as a senior. He ended his prep career with a narrow 3-2 decision over Phelps, an opponent he has wrestled several times.

“This is just four years of hard work,” said Freeman. “A lot of guys will peak freshman year, but I didn’t make it to states my freshman year. I kept working, and it means so much more to know that I kept working to get here. It’s a great feeling to be at the top of the mountain at the end of the day.

“It’s not confidence as much as it’s excitement,” added Freeman. “This was two guys on the same level going for it on the big stage with a great match like that.”

135

Eddie Homrock, Brighton, Sr. (43-3)
Major decision, 9-0, over Camden Trupp, Detroit Catholic Central, Jr. (35-6)

Homrock has gotten used to Finals championships.

He’s now won two of them, after also capturing the title at 125 in 2019. But this deciding match carried some extra significance.

“I was nervous (this time), not because of (my opponent), but because it was my last match,” Homrock said. “I wasn’t scared, just nervous. I went out there and got it done. I knew no matter what I was going to push through it all.”

140 

Josh Edmond, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (43-0)
Technical fall, 23-7 (5:50), over Zach Johnson, Brighton, Jr. (41-9)

Detroit Catholic Central has produced legions of all-state wrestlers and champions. But Edmond reached an elite group at his school and statewide with his third Finals title. 

“It means a lot. I really wanted to be a three-time state champ, and I worked really hard for this,” said Edmond. “I think it’s a blessing. I am just blessed to be a part of the CC wrestling family. I thank all of my coaches for helping me get here.

“The game plan was to just wrestle hard. Things opened up, and I was able to pull away,” added Edmond. “I felt pretty good that I could win my third.”

145

T.J. Daugherty, Waterford Kettering, Sr. (35-0)
Decision, 3-1 (OT), over Marc Shaeffer, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (32-13)

Daugherty posted bookend Finals championship wins, earring titles as both a freshman and again as a senior.

“(Shaeffer) took a shot and I doubled by and went behind and got the point, and I did it,” said Daugherty of his win. “I beat him at (Oakland) County and I beat him at the Clarkston Duals. But this is where it matters most.

“When I was a freshman, I didn’t really know what was going on,” added Daugherty, who won at 103 in 2017. “This year I wanted to win it more than anything. I was able to get the win this year.”

Shaeffer previously finished runner-up at 140 in 2019. 

152

Josh Barr, Davison, Fr. (39-0)
Decision, 5-3, over Logan Sanom, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (42-10)

Davison’s future is bright, to say the least. There will be 11 returning starters next winter from a team that finished as the Division 1 runner-up, Barr among them.

The talented freshman was one of five finalists and three champions for the Cardinals, and a top seed at his first Individual Finals.

“I worked so hard all season to get here,” said Barr. “It’s a great feeling to win as a freshman. But this is just the beginning. I want to come back and go for it again. Plus we’re going to be really good again next year with almost everyone returning. We only had three seniors. So this is just a step (forward).”

160

Derek Gilcher, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (45-2)
Decision, 3-2, over Jay Nivison, Davison, Sr. (36-6)

Just a couple of hours after his freshman brother Dylan Gilcher claimed a title, Derek Gilcher followed suit with his third straight championship and fourth placing at the Finals. 

“Right now I feel great. But before my match I was a little nervous, really before my brother’s match. He’s new, he’s a freshman and never been through states before like I have,” said Gilcher. “But he did his job, and I had to go do mine.” 

Gilcher has been a four-year starter during Catholic Central’s four-year reign as the Division 1 team champion.

“I don’t think that’s been done before — the first time in CC history we’ve won four in a row,” smiled Gilcher. “We never won four in a row before, and now the three individual wins. It’s crazy. It adds to the legacy of the program, and the accomplishments show all of the hard work of the athletes and coaches.”

189

Manuel Rojas, Detroit Catholic Central, Soph. (46-1)
Decision, 7-3, over Colin Jagielski, Temperance Bedford, Sr. (47-3)

After getting the win with Facundo’s DQ at last weekend’s Team Final, Rojas heeded some advice from his coaches this week – and won his first individual championship.

“I went to school on Monday and sat down with (CC head coach Mitch Hancock). We decided to give up social media, stay off of it, and get away from all of the negativity. Just focus on all of the positive things,” said Rojas. “I just had to concentrate on getting prepared for this weekend and try to win here. Just be around my teammates and the people that care for me. That’s all that matters.

Rojas was poked in the eye during the first period Saturday, which drew a little blood, and the scratch forced his eye to swell throughout the match. 

“I hear it’s pretty nasty. I can’t see it yet,” added Rojas of his swollen eye. “It happens. That’s wrestling.”

215

Brendin Yatooma, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (45-1)
Decision, 4-2, over Luke Stanton, Brighton, Sr. (32-4)

One week after helping DCC to another team title, Yatooma aided his team’s run to nine individual state finalists and six individual champions. The reigning champ at 215 capped his prep career with a repeat.

“This is for our coach and our entire coaching staff. They work so hard for us to get to this point,” said Yatooma. “We wrestle as hard of a schedule as anyone, and we come here to win. It’s an incredible brotherhood at CC. Not just wrestling, but for everyone. There is nowhere else I’d rather be than here competing for CC.”

285 

Steven Kolcheff, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (45-2)
Decision, 3-2 (OT), over Jake Swirple, Livonia Franklin, Sr. (58-2)

Kolcheff doesn’t mind a little overtime. He had to put some in Saturday night, and it resulted in a victory over top-seeded Swirple in the rubber match between the rivals.

Kolcheff won at the District level, while Swirple turned the tables during the Regional round.

“We’re the most conditioned team in the state,” said Kolcheff. “In overtime I felt good, felt confident. I didn’t want to win a state championship on a coin toss … so I went for it in overtime.

“It’s a great rivalry between us. For me, wrestling is my sport and it’s really dear to my heart. I want to win state titles, and that’s what I did today.”

Click for the full bracket.

PHOTO: Davison’s Alex Facundo (right) gets ahold of a leg of Grandville’s Josh Kenny on the way to winning his third Individual Finals championship. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)