By DAVID COOK
DIVISION 1
Projected champion: Brighton
Final eight in state: Brighton, Detroit Catholic Central, Davison, Hartland, Anchor Bay, Grandville, Oxford, Saline
Outlook:
Brighton has been ranked No. 1 in the state all season and is the team everyone is chasing. The Bulldogs opened the season with a statement win against Detroit Catholic Central, which they defeated 40-21. Since then, they have been on a roll, although they finished second to Division 2 Lowell at the Detroit Catholic Central Invitational.
Brighton has a lineup full of quality wrestlers, from the lower weights all the way to the top. Lee Grabowski (112 pounds), Grant Morrison (119), and Jackson Renicker (125) are all state-ranked wrestlers in the lower weights. Seniors Kyle Bohnsack (130), Jose Ramos (140), Ryan Salmon (145), Tanner Maschke (152), and Beau Mourer (160) give the Bulldogs plenty of talent and point potential in the middle weights. Brighton also has firepower in the upper weights, led by senior Nick Brish at 171 pounds and junior Luke Ready at 215, while junior heavyweight Eric Conquest is another strong wrestler.
Brighton hosts a regional this year, and that regional is potentially the strongest in the state. It’s possible that three teams ranked in the top 10 in the state will be at Brighton, as Holt and Grand Ledge are favorites in their districts.
Holt is a huge favorite in the Jackson district. The Rams have another solid team, led by the devastating one-two punch of seniors Benny Gomez (119) and Mino Trevino (135). Junior Mike Shaw is ranked No. 1 in the state at 145 and gives the Rams another elite wrestler. Tim Fischer (215) is a highly-ranked Ram, as is sophomore Kolin Leyrer (152).
Grand Ledge has been ranked in the top 10 in Division 1 this season. The Comets are led by junior Dylan Steward, who is top-ranked at 140 pounds. Sophomore Cole Jones (103) and senior Patrick Powers (145) are also state-ranked. Jack Snauko (119), Andrew Castaneda (125), and Joe Davis (135) are other strong wrestlers in the Comet lineup.
Defending state champion Detroit Catholic Central figures to be Brighton’s main obstacle to a state title. The Shamrocks have been improving as the season progresses and scored a huge victory in mid January when they traveled to Davison and defeated the Cardinals 34-30.
Catholic Central’s main obstacle at the district will be Wayne-Westland John Glenn. The Shamrocks will be overwhelming favorites at the John Glenn regional as well.
Catholic Central has tremendous scoring potential in seniors Trevor Zdebski (130), Myles Amine (160), and Nick Giese (189). Senior Tommy Herman (215) and junior Nick Joseph (145) have also come on strong this season.
Davison entered the season ranked No. 1 in the state, and the Cardinals have the potential to win the state title. Health will be a key factor for the Cardinals, who were missing some wrestlers in the match against Catholic Central.
Davison has a deep and talented squad, led by senior Lincoln Olson at 130 pounds. The Cardinals are stocked in the lower weights, with junior Max Johnson (112), freshman A.J. Facundo (112), junior Deven Perez (119), and sophomore Ryan Schlak (125). Senior Hunter Fifield (140), junior Kurt Schlak (145), and sophomore Brenden McRill (160) give the Cardinals plenty of point potential in the middle weights. Junior Tanner Thomas (189), senior Jake Ellis (215), and senior Dakota Powers (285) anchor the upper weights.
Davison’s only potential stumbling block at the district or regional level will be Lapeer at the Davison regional.
Hartland and Walled Lake Central will battle it out for the regional title at the Walled Lake Western regional. Both teams have been ranked in the top 10 in Division 1 this season.
Hartland has been as hot as any team in the state during January. It handed Lowell a 28-26 defeat in the final of the Lowell Invitational. Hartland also defeated sixth-ranked Grandville 60-9 at the tournament. The Eagles boast plenty of high-powered wrestlers, led by senior Jacob Gorial (160), junior Sage Castillo (140), and junior Logan Vish (152). Senior Jacob Economou (215), junior Lucas LaForge (171), and sophomores Reece Hughes (130) and Garnett Potter (112) are also state-ranked for the Eagles.
Walled Lake Central is paced by returning state champion Ben Freeman at 119 pounds. Senior Alex Sovel (215) is ranked second in the state. Seniors Dan Shear (130) and Jacob Stitely (152), along with junior Kaleb Marion (112) and freshman Nick Freeman (103), are also state-ranked.
Grandville is the favorite at the Rockford regional.
Rockford will have its work cut out for it at the Forest Hills Central district, where it will have to get past a strong host team. Seniors Jared Bennett (119) and Caleb Childers (171) have led the way for Rockford this season.