Division 1
Top teams statewide
Brighton, Davison, Detroit Catholic Central, Grandville, Hartland
Top area teams
Brighton, Davison, Hartland, Holt, Rockford
Top area wrestlers
Jared Bennett (119) Rockford; Brian Darios (285) East Lansing; Benny Gomez (119) Holt; Jacob Gorial (160) Hartland; Max Johnson (112) Davison; Lincoln Olson (130) Davison; Luke Ready (215) Brighton; Mino Trevino (135) Holt.
After coming up short against Detroit Catholic Central the past few years, the Davison wrestling team is hoping to break through this year. In senior Lincoln Olson (130) and junior Max Johnson (112) the Cardinals have a pair of wrestlers ranked first in their class entering the season. Johnson also won a state title last season. Davison entered the season with nine individuals ranked in the top ten in their weight classes and have talented wrestlers like sophomore Brenden McRill (160) and junior Tanner Thomas (189) poised for big seasons along with freshman A. J. Facundo (112), Devin Perez (125), Hunter Fifield (140), Jake Ellis (215) and Dakota Powers (285).
Holt is also gearing up for a big season. The Rams are led by seniors Benny Gomez (119) and Mino Trevino (135) who both enter the season ranked number one. Junior Mike Shaw (145) is another talented wrestler that is state ranked as are senior Tim Fischer (215) and sophomore Kolin Leyrer (152).
Grand Ledge has four state-ranked wrestlers to lead the way as it challenges Holt in the CAAC Blue. Junior Dylan Steward (140) is ranked second in the state while Cole Jones (103), Jack Snauko (119) and Patrick Powers (145) are also state ranked.
East Lansing has the premier heavyweight in Division 1 in senior Brian Darios. Freshman Ben Kamali will be one to watch at 103 pounds this season.
Rockford will have a veteran team this year peppered with some promising newcomers. Senior Jared Bennett enters the season ranked third at 119 pounds. Freshman Austin Spegel (103) is a newcomer to keep an eye on.
Grand Blanc is paced by senior Noah Gonser who enters the season ranked first at 125 pounds and Nathanial Flemming (125) who is also state ranked.
Flint Carman-Ainsworth is led by a pair of state-ranked wrestlers in seniors Derrien Vaughn (135) and Malik Dawkins (152).
Livingston and Western Oakland counties have some powerful squads this season. Brighton has its best team in years this year with nine state-ranked wrestlers entering the season. Junior Luke Ready (215) is ranked first entering the season and is joined by talents like senior Beau Mourer (152), senior Kyle Bohnsack (130) and Nick Brish (171). The Bulldogs also welcome back Grant Morrison (103), Jackson Renicker (125), Jose Ramos (125), Ryan Salmon (145) and Eric Conquest (215).
Detroit Catholic Central will be tough to dislodge from the top spot. The Shamrocks return a pair of state champions in Trevor Zdebski (130) and Mules Amine (152) while senior Nick Giese (189) also enters the season ranked first in his weight class.
Hartland has been a familiar face in Battle Creek come late winter and the Eagles have another solid team. Senior Jacob Gonial (160) enters the season ranked first while junior Sage Castillo is a standout at 140 and Logan Vish at 160.
Look for Walled Lake Central to be a major factor this season. Central has six state-ranked wrestlers this season led by sophomore Ben Freeman at 119, senior Dan Shear at 130 and senior Alex Sovel at 215. Nick Freeman (103), Kaleb Marion (112) and Jacob Stitely (152) also lead the way.
Lakeland and Milford also have a trio of state-ranked wrestlers apiece this season. Senior Tyler Lovelace (189) leads the way at Milford along with along with David Joyner (145) and Brandon Krol (285). Sophomore Nolan Klapec (103) leads the way for Lakeland along with Andy Bovay (171) and Jake Sokoll (285).
Howell is led this season by junior Austin Hanson (189).