Elijah Dennis has had quite a senior season wrestling for Lansing Eastern at 171 pounds, earning conference and district championships. He lost in the blood round at state finals last year.
“I want to place and win a title,” he said. “I’m very comfortable this year.”
With hard work and conditioning, Dennis has had success. His double leg move is a strength. He’s working on takedowns and riding. “I’ve improved a lot from last year,” he said. “I went to camps and tournaments during the summer.”
The quality of Lansing Eastern’s program has improved, Dennis indicated.
Other wrestlers to watch:
Eaton Rapids senior Trent Hurd
Hurd finished second in the Division 2 regionals at 285 to advance to state.
Big Rapids senior Kyle Carter
Carter, at 171, started out 48-3 this season and has a career record of 146-70.
“I took first at Williamston Jim Mooney Classic. I took first at conferences. My team beat our team dual meet record,” Carter said, adding that career highlights have been “placing at state as a junior, taking first at districts my junior year. I have 100 career wins and am coming up on 150.
“I plan on winning a state title this year. I need to continue to work hard, remain focused, and outwrestle my opponents. Conditioning and being in shape is key at this level.”
Tri County senior Tommy Gilbert
Gilbert is 42-7 at 103 with a career record of 122-50. Getting his 100th win and helping the team win districts were major highlights of his career, along with making it to regionals in only his third year of wrestling.
Durand senior Zane Perrin
At 160 pounds, Perrin started off at 31-6 and has a career mark of 84-28.
The highlight this season for Perrin was “being able to wrestle my senior year after returning from a severe broken leg suffered during soccer season this past fall and winning a GAC title at 171 pounds for my last year as a wrestler,” he said. “As a junior, I took second at districts, second at regionals, and finished fifth in the state… after wrestling two years behind Roger Wildmo.
“As a senior, I took third at districts and hope to advance this weekend at regionals.
“My goal is to be in the state finals with Dundee; I would do anything for a match like that. I have a very strict workout program with my coaches that I believe should help get me there.”
Bay City Western senior Charles Proctor
Proctor, at 160 pounds, said his goal is to win the state tournament. His favorite memory in wrestling is “walking in the opening ceremony at the Palace of Auburn Hills.”
Mason senior Austin Droshca
Droshca took third in the Division 2 regionals at 160 pounds and qualified for state finals.
Caro senior Trevor Jaster
Trevor Jaster started out 35-1 this season at 171 pounds, making his career record 148-27.
His goal this season is to win an individual state championship and to work hard every day.
Cedar Springs senior Cody Oehme
Oehme, at 130 pounds, had an impressive pin recently over Nick Dewey of Forest Hills Northern.
Waverly senior Thomas Houston
Thomas Houston won a major decision over Rylen Droscha of Mason 12-3 to win the 171-pound class at regionals.
Owosso senior Cody Chase
Chase wrestled at 112 pounds and started off at 40-3 to reach a 158-41 career record and get his 150th career win.
He placed eighth at state as a sophomore and as a junior. He won a conference title as a junior.
“With lots of hard work, I would like to place in the top three at the state tournament,” he said.
Nouvel Catholic Central junior Austin Hughes
Hughes, at 145 pounds, has started out 41-1 with a career record of 126-12.
“Getting my 100th career win this season,” and “taking third at states last year,” have been career highlights for Hughes, who wants to win a state title. ”I’m going to need to wrestle hard, practice hard, and make sure I stay focused.”