Laingsburg senior Malachi Marshall got off to a 21-4 start this season and picked up his 100th career win. His career mark as of mid-January stood at 102-98. He’s not your ordinary wrestler, says coach Nicolas Rowley. “He’s a great scrambler with an unorthodox style. He hates to lose. Malachi is a bit of a prankster and is a ton of fun to watch wrestle. His matches are usually exciting.”
Rowley has high expectations of Marshall for the rest of the season.
Neil McCully is a Belding senior wrestling at 189 pounds.
His record is 20-2, which includes a championship at the Lakeview Invitational. He finished runner-up at the New Lothrop Hall of Fame Invitational, losing in the final by a point to Angus Arthur of St. Johns.
“He is a fourth-year varsity wrestler and has grown quite a bit over four years,” said coach Travis Meyer. “He is an incredible student and is a leader in the classroom and through all of his extracurriculars. He’s a great young man to be around and is a positive influence on the youngsters in our program. He works hard in the practice room and never gets out-worked on the mat. It’s impressive that, through all of his success, he still is one of the most humble, coachable kids we’ve had experience working with.”
Waverly senior wrestler Cameron Lee is 20-2 so far this season at 215 pounds with an overall career record of 136-34.
He has defeated the No. 1-ranked wrestler in Division 4, as well as three other ranked wrestlers in various divisions. He has been a team captain for the past three years.
“Cameron Lee has many strengths as a wrestler, but I think his willingness to listen and continuously learn are his strongest attributes,” said head coach Cory Posey. “He is also physically strong and has a big gas tank. In addition, Cameron is an experienced wrestler who has won a national title as a youth wrestler and is a returning all-state wrestler.
“I strongly believe Cameron is capable of winning the state tournament this season. If he decides to attend the NHSCA senior nationals, there will be the opportunity for him to earn all-American honors. With Cameron’s attitude and constant improvement, I believe that is a possibility this season.”
Jeremy Winsor is the varsity wrestling coach at Fulton and has an outstanding wrestler in Trevor Hilgendorf, who will compete at 112 pounds in the postseason. Hilgendorf started this season at 12-1 and has a 109-26 mark in his career.
“He is wrestling well for us currently, [is a] great team leader, [and is] preparing for some tough matches in our conference in the next few weeks,” Winsor said, adding that Hilgendorf wrestles well on his feet and is strong with takedowns.
Hilgendorf appealed his alpha test to make him eligible to compete at 112 pounds for the postseason.
“At 112, he looks to be a contender for the title,” Winsor said.
Hilgendorf will enter the Marines at the end of his senior year at Fulton.
Logan Emery and Brandon Ayris are having outstanding seasons for Clare’s wrestling team. Emery is 14-6 this season and 107-30 in his career. Ayris is 14-5 this season and 80-33 in his career. Emery won the Chippewa Hills and St. Louis invitationals. Ayris was second at St. Louis and fourth at Chippewa Hills.
“Logan is quick on his feet, [a] tremendous team leader,” said coach Kyle McKay. “Brandon has phenomenal quickness [and is] a leader who speaks with his actions and not his words.”
Each has a chance to be a state placer and Jack Pine Conference champion.
“Both of these wrestlers are two-time returning state qualifiers; Brandon is a returning state placer,” McKay said. “Coming into their senior season is going to be the big test; they have both been to The Palace [of Auburn Hills] twice; this is their last chance to make it count.
“Brandon is looking to pick up a wrestling scholarship somewhere; his work ethic, attitude, and team mentality are the qualities that any college coach would be delighted to have on their team. They have both been captains on this team for three years now, and their leadership has helped shaped the Clare wrestling program during their time here. They will be greatly missed.”
Senior Chase Challendar is having a solid season for Charlotte’s wrestling team at 215 pounds.
His career record is 122-33. A major highlight was defeating the No. 2-ranked wrestler in his weight class, Cameron Lee of Waverly, 11-3.
“Chase is extremely good on his feet and is very mentally tough,” said coach Bill Blair, who acknowledged that Challender hopes to be a two-time state placer, a four-time regional qualifier, a three-time conference champion, “to finish his career with above an 80 winning percentage, and complete his junior and senior year only losing half a dozen matches over that time.”
Rylen Droscha is a senior on coach Brian Martel’s Mason wrestling team who wrestles at 160 and 171 pounds. Last season, he was at 44-12 and qualified at 160 pounds for the Division 2 state tournament for the third year in a row. He was 1-2 last year and didn’t place and is looking to return to The Palace this year.
This season, he had a match at 189 pounds against Noah Pieh of Northwest, which he won by pin in 1:45.
Montabella coach Shaun Balhorn has three wrestlers who have been having strong seasons so far. Dan Davidson (285 pounds) is 14-3, Jonny Durham (171) is 22-1, and Dalton Kuklewski (130) is 22-2.
“Dan has placed at all three tournaments this season and has pinned three ranked wrestlers, Jonny has taken first at two tournaments and second at another, and Dalton has placed first at two tournaments and second at another,” Balhorn said. “Dan is physically strong for a heavyweight. He has the ability to wear on his opponents. Jonny is technically a gifted wrestler. His tempo and work ethic have made him truly fun to watch. Dalton is physically strong and can score from all positions.
“Dan has a chance to be in the state finals this season. Jonny should be in the state finals this season. Dalton should place in the top six this year.”