By Nate Schneider
Sports Scene
After a two-year hiatus, Detroit Catholic Central found itself back on top of Division 1 last year.
The Shamrocks won their sixth D1 state championship since 2010 under head coach Mitch Hancock, but after failing to hoist the crown the previous two years it was a joyous occasion once again for DCC.
In the state title dual, Detroit Catholic Central topped Davison by a count of 35-22. The top-seeded Shamrocks blasted eighth seed Brighton 55-3 in the quarterfinals before easing past fifth-seeded Hartland 54-10 in the semifinals.
Additionally, the Shamrocks claimed five individual state titles at the event – Benjamin Kamali (112 pounds), Kevon Davenport (130), Cameron Amine (145), Tyler Morland (171) and Nicholas Jenkins (285).
In Division 2, there were no surprises as Lowell clinched its fourth consecutive state championship by besting Warren Woods-Tower 32-21. The Red Arrows won the 2014 title under head coach Dave Dean, while the last three have been won under the guidance of current head coach R.J. Boudro.
As the No. 1 seed, Lowell defeated No. 8 seed Tecumseh 41-20 in the quarterfinals and No. 4 seed Marysville 42-22 in the semifinals.
Austin Boone won an individual state title for Lowell at 135, while Elijah Boulton was the state runner-up at 215.
Lowell has won seven total Division 2 state titles since 2002.
Division 3 involved the biggest thriller finish of all as it was won by Richmond on a tiebreaker. After tying Dundee 28-28, the dual went down to a rare eighth criteria which is total first points scored in all 14 bouts. The Blue Devils racked up more first points and therefore were declared the champion.
Richmond received the luck of the draw with a bye as the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinals, while it proceeded to down No. 4 Lake Fenton 37-23 in the semifinals.
Colton McKiernan (189) and Tyler Marino (215) were both individual state runner-ups.
The team state title is the second in three years for the Blue Devils. The program has won eight state championships since 2000 and has been runner-up four other times.
As for Division 4, Hudson won the state title by blowing past New Lothrop to the tune of 51-13. It was exhilaration for the Tigers after three years of heartbreak where they finished as state runner-ups.
Top-seeded Hudson blasted No. 8 seed Munising 79-0 in the quarterfinals and then topped No. 4 seed Bronson 38-25 in the semifinals.
Jordan Hamdan (!19) and Tylor Grames (189) each won an individual state title. Tucker Sholl (112) and Zach Bailey (285) were runner-ups.
Hudson has hoisted six state championship trophies since 2009 under head coach Scott Marry and lost in the state final the other three times.