By BUTCH HARMON
DIVISION 4
Projected champion: New Lothrop
Final eight in state: New Lothrop, Hudson, Lawton, Manchester, Pine River, Hesperia, Norway, Bad Axe
Outlook:
New Lothrop broke Hudson’s five-year grip on the Division 4 state title last year, and the Hornets come into this year’s tournament a strong pick to repeat. They have been ranked No. 1 in Division 4 for most of the year and will be tough to beat in Battle Creek. New Lothrop proved that it can wrestle with anyone when it totaled 192 points to win its own invitational over Birch Run (157 points) and Clio (141).
New Lothrop boasts a solid lineup from top to bottom. In the lower weights, freshman Tommy Malloy (103 pounds) and sophomore Connor Krupp (119) lead the way. The team is very solid in the middle, with seniors Dalton Birchmeier (130), Gabe Bennett (140), and Trevor Copes (160) and juniors Cole Hersch (135), Steve Garza (145), and Eric Birchmeier (160). It also features a pair of state-ranked wrestlers in the upper weights, senior David Robertson (285) and junior Caleb Symones (189).
New Lothrop’s main hurdle at the Montrose district will be the hosts, but New Lothrop defeated Montrose 51-27 earlier this season.
New Lothrop’s main competition at the regional it will host will be from the winner of the Fulton district. Carson City-Crystal and St. Louis will battle it out for that title.
Carson City is paced by senior twins Darren (152) and Dillen Decker (160) and by junior Dallas O’Green (130). Senior William Young (140) is another highly-ranked Eagle, as are senior Alex Baker (112) and junior Taylor Barkley (112).
St. Louis boasts a strong nucleus of wrestlers. Sophomore Austin Rios (103), sophomore Konnor Holton (130), and junior Clayton Howd (189) are state-ranked wrestlers capable of delivering big points.
At the Laingsburg district, the host Wolfpack will be battling with Dansville for the district title and the opportunity to move on to the New Lothrop regional. Junior Kevin Koening is one of the top 215-pounders in Division 4 and leads the way for Laingsburg. The Wolfpack also have senior Malachi Marshall, who is ranked at 140 pounds.
New Lothrop’s prime competition at the finals will come from Hudson. The Tigers have been ranked second in Division 4 for much of the season. They are a deep team with plenty of talent, led by junior Kyle Johnson, who is ranked No. 1 at 152 pounds. Senior Tyler Roberts (125) and junior Mason Lopinski (145) are both ranked second in the state for the Tigers.
Lawton will also be an obstacle that New Lothrop will have to clear. Lawton, ranked third in the state, must first get past fourth-ranked Decatur at its own district.