Nate Schneider
Sports Scene
Following a couple years of not hoisting the Division 1 state championship trophy, Detroit Catholic Central returned to its dominant ways last winter.
The Shamrocks were able to blitzkrieg the competition en route to the state title, defeating Davison by a count of 35-22 in the title dual to hoist the crown and finish the season with a 31-1 record. They had won three consecutive state titles between 2012 and 2014, while under head coach Mitch Hancock the 2017 state championship was their fifth total.
Additionally, Detroit Catholic Central racked up five individual state championships – Benyamin Kamali (112), Kevon Davenport (130), Cameron Amine (145), Tyler Morland (171) and Nicholas Jenkins (HWT).
Morland and Jenkins have graduated, along with third-place finisher Jackson Ross (215). But that leaves three defending state champions back in the fold, along with a supporting cast that is stocked full of talent and kids determined to keep the Shamrocks in the state’s top spot.
Davenport has gone up a couple weight classes to 145 after going 43-3 last season, while Kamali is now wrestling at 119 pounds after finishing his state champion season at 41-13. Amine is fluctuating between the 152 and 160-pound weight class, looking to become a champion once again following his 45-3 season a year ago.
Taking over at 171 pounds for Morland is state qualifier Aidan Wagh. Three state placers back in the mix are junior Rhett Newton (130-135), who took third at 112; sophomore Derek Gilcher (135-140), who finished fourth at 119 with a 32-10 record; and senior Devon Johnson (112), who was 35-12 last year and took seventh at 103 pounds.
Additional state qualifiers include senior Stone Moscovic (125-130), junior Joe Urso (145-152) and Wagh.
The icing on the cake is a transfer who is paying immediate dividends in Orchard Lake St. Mary’s transfer Josh Edmond at 140 pounds. Edmond went an astounding 53-1 last season to take runner-up at 135 in Division 2.