By DAVID COOK
DIVISION 2
Top teams in the state
Bay City Western, Gaylord, Lowell, Niles, St. Johns
Top area teams
Eaton Rapids, Lowell, St. Johns
Top area wrestlers
Cole Antcliff (285) Greenville; Josh Colegrove (215) Lowell; Max Dean (189) Lowell; Zeth Dean (130) Lowell; Jordan Hall (145) Lowell; Lucas Hall (119) Lowell; Logan Massa (160) St. Johns; Austin Melton (140) DeWitt; Ian Parker (119) St. Johns; Jaedin Sklapsky (135) Eaton Rrapids; Ty Wildmo (215) St. Johns.
Division 2 bragging rights both on the state and local level will again come down to St. Johns and Lowell. Lowell broke St. Johns grip on the state title last season but with a roster full of state-ranked wrestlers St. Johns is determined to bring the title back east along M-21.
St. Johns enters the season with a total of nine state-ranked wrestlers. Ian Parker (119) and Logan Massa (160) enter the season ranked first in their weight classes for the Redwings while Ty Wildmo (215) is ranked second. Sophomores Emilio Sanchez and Trent Lashuay will also factor into the lower weights with St. Johns has some young wrestlers that are also poised to contribute including freshman Brendan Zalenka at 103. Sophomores Lucas McFarland and Bret Fedewa will be stepping into the middle weight classes while senior Nic Sturgis and junior Jacob Gnegy give St. Johns depth at heavyweight. Look for the state title to again come down to St. Johns vs Lowell in the D2 title match at Kellogg Arena.
Lowell returns a total of eight state-ranked wrestlers. Zeth Dean (130) and senior Josh Colegrove (215) both enter the season ranked first in the state. The Red Arrows have outstanding scoring potential as Lucas Hall (119), Jordan Hall (145) and Max Dean (189) are also ranked second. Lucas Hall, Max Dean and Colegrove also won state championships last season. Lowell also has some talented newcomers poised to make an impact including David Kruse (145) and Austin Engle (152) as the Red Arrows are loaded in the middle weights giving new coach RJ Beudro plenty of flexibility as he takes over for long-time Red Arrow mentor Dave Dean.
Old-school powerhouse Eaton Rapids has one of its best teams in several years. The Greyhounds have several talented wrestlers led by senior Jaedin Sklapsky who enters the season ranked first at 135 pounds. Sklapsky is also a returning state champion. Junior Lane McVicker is ranked fourth at 145, sophomore Clayton Higelmire is sixth at 215 and senior Blake Millheim is seventh at 152.
DeWitt looks to have a solid team this season. The Panthers are paced by junior Austin Melton who is ranked second at 140 and senior Drew Wixson who is third at 160.
Ionia welcomes back sophomore Cameron Mahlich who is state-ranked at 103 while junior David Lejia is a state-ranked wrestler for Waverly at 130. Charlotte is paced by senior Eric Wales (130).
Greenville and coach Paul Johnson have their sights set on another OK Bronze title. The Yellowjackets are led by senior heavyweight Cole Antcliff who is ranked second in the state. Despite heavy graduation losses, the Yellowjackets have plenty of young wrestlers ready to make an impact this season including Zach Hallock (103), Austin Dickinson (112), Stephen Hilliker (119), Dren Bartrum (130), Tate Jeffrey (135), Kody Wilcox (152), Joey Burger (171) and Jake O’Herron (189).
Greenville will be challenged for the OK Bronze title by an improving Cedar Springs team. The Red Hawks return sophomore Jordan Ringler at 103 pounds where he won over 30 matches last season. Senior Zach Wamser is a state-ranked wrestler at 189 pounds. Cedar is solid in the upper weights with Logan McGahan, a regional qualifier last year, back at 189 pounds and sophomore Patrick DePiazza, who won over 20 matches last year, at 285.
Greenville will also face a tough test from a loaded Sparta team at the Greenville district.
Fowlerville looks to be an improved team this season. The Gladiators return a pair of state-ranked wrestlers in senior Mason Litz (189) and junior Kyle Roberts (135).
Bay City Western has plenty of talent on hand and is a threat to make it to Battle Creek. Western returns five state-ranked wrestlers including Coby Moore (125), junior Blake Jackson (130), senior Tom Schoenherr (140), sophomore Chris Schoenherr (145) and senior Cody Okes (189).
With six state-ranked wrestlers on the roster Clio is poised for its best-season ever. The Mustangs are led by defending state champion senior Mason Smith. Smith enters this season ranked first at 125 pounds. Clio also returns sophomore Chase Beecher (103), sophomore Drew Hutchinson (112), junior Matt Dwyer (152), sophomore Kane Williams (171) and senior Jacob Hardaker (215).
Bay City Glenn has a pair of state-ranked wrestlers in senior Cole Clark (145) and junior Ethan Smith (152).
Flint Kearsley has a pair of standout seniors in Jakob Chapman (119) and James Davis (171).
Goodrich has a pair of state-ranked wrestlers in junior Nathan Ellis (130) and junior John Penford (171).
Midland Dow is paced by senior Cody Graham (145), Linden is led by senior Austin McNeil (215) while Flushing is paced by junior Conor Boike (130).