MEET THE FAB FIVE
Jacob Schmitt – Schmitt will be taking his talents to Chicago and Northwestern University next year. Currently, he is the most decorated St. Johns wrestler, with two individual state titles and three team state championships to his credit. This three-time all stater won his first state title as a freshman at 103 pounds. He was second as a sophomore and came back to win the 125-pound state title last year with an 11-1 major decision victory over Holly’s Mason Cleaver. Right now, Schmitt is the top-ranked wrestler at 130 pounds in Division 2 in the state, as well as being the fifth-ranked wrestler in the nation at 132 pounds, according to Win Magazine. Before finishing his high school career, Schmitt has the chance to win four team championships and three individual state championships, a feat only surpassed by the likes of Davison’s Brent Metcalf and Jon Reader, both of whom went on to win NCAA National Championships.
Ben Whitford – Whitford could have been a four-time team and individual state champion, but he didn’t arrive in St. Johns until after his sophomore season. His first two years of high school wrestling took place at Marmion Academy in Illinois, where he won two Illinois individual state titles. Last year, he could have been the top wrestler in the state of Michigan if not for St. Johns teammate Taylor Massa, whom Whitford will join next year at the University of Michigan. Whitford won his third individual title with an 11-4 win over Lowell’s Gabe Morse, the returning state champion, in the 140-pound final. At this time, Whitford is the top-ranked wrestler at 145 pounds in Michigan, even though he has been wrestling at heavier weight classes. He’s also ranked second nationally at 145, according to Win Magazine. The son of former Holt state champion Pat Whitford, Ben has been dealing with a concussion this year, but it’s hard not to see him atop the podium at the end of the season if he is healthy.
Brant Schafer – Schafer will head south after graduation to continue his career at Indiana University next year. He has done what every wrestling coach asks of his athletes – continue to improve as his career progresses. Schafer took fifth as a freshman, was runner-up as a sophomore, and won his first state title last year with a tight 10-8 overtime win over Reeths-Puffer’s Cody Stenberg in the 135-pound final. Currently, Schafer is the top-ranked wrestler at 152 pounds in the state and is ranked 18th nationally at 138 pounds, according to Win Magazine. Schafer has also had great success wrestling across the nation in the off-season, earning FILA Junior Freestyle All-American status.
Josh Pennell – Although he has yet to win an individual state championship, Josh Pennell has been close in each of his three years, advancing to the individual state finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills. His first year there, he was runner-up at 103 pounds. He followed up on that with two third-place finishes. Right now, he is ranked second at 145 pounds in the state, and that’s only because teammate Ben Whitford has the top spot. It is not known if Pennell and Whitford will be in the same weight class when postseason begins. Pennell was also close at the prestigious FILA Nationals held in Fargo, North Dakota. He finished runner-up in the Cadet Division in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Pennell will follow former Redwings Dan Osterman, Tyler Dickinson, and Travis Curley to East Lansing and wrestle for the Michigan State University Spartans.
Payne Hayden – Like Whitford, Payne Hayden didn’t start his career at St. Johns, but he was a welcome addition to the Division 2 dynasty. Hayden began wrestling at Lakeshore High School and transferred to St. Johns after his freshman season. Incredibly, Hayden took third at 135 pounds as a freshman, was third at 140 pounds as a sophomore, and then came back to take second at 215 pounds last year. He lost a tight 3-1 decision to Holly’s Shawn Scott in the final. At this time, he is ranked No. 1 at 189 pounds, and it is uncertain if he will wrestle at 189 or at 215 when the postseason begins. Hayden has done well nationally, taking third at the prestigious Super 32 Tournament. He is also very good in the classroom and will continue to try to thrive on the mat and in the classroom next year at the University of Michigan.