The much-anticipated rematch between Detroit Catholic Central and Davison was what the fans wanted to see during the Division 1 final at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek on February 22. And that is exactly what they got, as the wrestling powers squared off for the second year in a row to determine the top D1 team in the state.
Earlier in the year, Davison defeated Catholic Central by three points, but this time around, the Shamrocks claimed a 34-19 victory over the Cardinals. They finished the match by scoring the final 21 points to claim the victory.
Davison, top-ranked all season and top-seeded coming into the MHSAA finals, couldn’t hang on to a 19-13 lead through eight matches, and the match was decided when two of the premier wrestlers in the state squared off. Catholic Central’s Drew Garcia outlasted Davison’s Jordan Cooks 3-1 in overtime to help clinch the Shamrocks’ third straight D1 title. Both Garcia and Cooks were reigning two-time individual champions.
Garcia would go on to win this third title a week later, while Cooks was ousted on his way to another state championship.
“This was what the fans wanted to see, and hopefully we didn’t disappoint,” said Catholic Central coach Mitch Hancock. “This is what the kids dream about. Getting here is one thing, but taking it to that next level and winning a state championship is so rewarding. When DCC and Davison gets together, its always going to be a grudge match, and that’s exactly what the fans got.”
The win marked Catholic Central’s 11th team title, which ties the MHSAA record for most in Class A/Division 1 history.
“This ties Temperance-Bedford for the most in Division 1 history. That shows how hard the kids work in this wrestling program,” said Hancock, who has guided the Shamrocks to a 149-32 record over seven seasons as head coach. “That’s something we take a lot of pride in. But I told the entire team, coaches, and parents at the beginning of the season that we were not to mention the [word] three-peat. Every year is different, and our goal was to go out and try to win a state championship.”
Davison coach Roy Hall is no stranger to the big stage of the state tournament. From 2000-2006, he guided the Cardinals to six state titles, and during the last 14 years, Davison has made the final match 14 times.
Although Davison lost, Hall credited Garcia and Cooks for putting on a great show for the fans. “Garcia is tough,” he said. “Those are two of the better kids in the country. Cooks is legit.”
Davison led 19-13 with Justin Oliver’s pin at 140 pounds. Then Myles Amine (145) and older brother Malik Amine (152) earned consecutive decisions to pull the Shamrocks even before Nick Bennett’s pin at 160 opened up a 25-19 lead for Catholic Central.
Catholic Central freshman Tyler Morland faced senior Thomas Garty at 171, coming back from a 5-4 deficit to win 9-5 and set the scene for Garcia’s heroics.
Catholic Central’s Nick Geise (215) ended the match with a 4-1 triumph.
“This is all about Catholic Central High school, representing Catholic Central, the administration, the parents, and giving glory to God,” added Hancock. “We would not be able to do this without any of them.”