By DAVID COOK
DIVISION 4
Top teams statewide
New Lothrop, Hudson, Hesperia, Lawton
Top local teams
New Lothrop, Carson City-Crystal, St. Louis, Montrose
Top local wrestlers
Darren Decker (160) Carson City-Crystal; Steve Garza (145) New Lothrop; Clayton Howd (189) St. Louis; Kevin Koenig (215) Laingsburg; Dallas O’Green (130) Carson City-Crystal; Arthur Payne (112) Montrose; Zack Taubitz (152) Montabella
After going through a nine-year state championship drought, the New Lothrop wrestling team broke through last year and captured its first Division 4 state team title since 2004. While some key members of that team have graduated, New Lothrop does return plenty of firepower to enable it to defend its title. Junior Steve Garza, a two-time state placer, enters the season as the top-ranked wrestler in Division 4 at 145 pounds. A strong core of seniors also returns in Dalton Birchmeier (130), Gabe Bennett (140), Trevor Copes (160), and heavyweight David Robertson. New Lothrop also returns sophomore Connor Krupp (119), who placed fifth in the state last year; junior Cole Hersch (135); and junior Caleb Symones (189).
Carson City-Crystal has a veteran-laden team that is poised for a big season. Junior Dallas O’Green won 44 matches last season and placed third at the state finals. Senior twins Darren (160) and Dillen Decker (160) also return. Both Deckers placed at the state meet last year and won over 40 matches apiece. Junior Taylor Barkley (112) is a two-time state qualifier who won 35 matches last year. Senior Alex Baker (112) is a returning regional champion who won 31 matches. Carson City also returns Austin Hopkins (215) and sophomore Ryan Argersinger (103), a conference champion last season.
St. Louis enters the season ranked in the top 10 in the state and on a collision course again with Carson City-Crystal at the regional level. The Sharks have won conference and district championships the last two years and have plenty of talent on hand. Sophomore Konnor Holton (130) won 36 matches last year and was a state placer. Junior Clayton Howd also placed at the state meet last year and won 36 matches. Junior heavyweight Mykhala Hetmanskyy enters the season ranked in Division 4. The Sharks also return regional qualifiers Marcus Beeson (125), Joe Eager (152), and Emilio Bailey (160).
Montrose has a strong group of wrestlers returning and is looking for one of its best seasons in years. Senior Arthur Payne enters the season as the top-ranked 112-pounder in Division 4. Senior Alex Elasavich (171) is also state ranked, as are juniors Quintin Wilbur (215), and Bruce McClean (285).
Fulton boasts a pair of state-ranked wrestlers in seniors Clint Kupiec (135) and Malachi Marshall (140).
Montabella also has a pair of state-ranked wrestlers in seniors Zack Taubitz (152), who won 39 matches last year and is a two-time state placer, and Joey Durham (171), who won 38 matches last season.
Laingsburg is led by one of the premier 215-pounders in the state in junior Kevin Koening. Koening is a returning state champion at 215 pounds.
Dansville has a trio of state-ranked wrestlers led by junior Dresden Simon who is top-ranked at 130 pounds. Junior Clay Ragon (125) and freshman Anthony Mack (103) are also state ranked.
Sophomore Mason Rife of Webberville is ranked second at 103 pounds.