D1 Preview: Ready to Repeat

February 27, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Detroit Catholic Central and Davison dominated MHSAA Division 1 wrestling all season before meeting in Saturday's team championship match, which the Shamrocks won to claim their second straight MHSAA title. 

So it's little surprise that they combine to bring back five individual champions plus another runner-up from last season's Finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills. 

See below for 10 contenders to watch this weekend, plus others who enter the tournament undefeated or coming off runner-up finishes in 2012. Follow all the matches beginning with Thursday's first round live on MHSAA.tv, and click here for results at MHSAA.com. And check back with Second Half later Saturday night for full coverage from the Finals, including comments from all 14 champions. 

10 to watch

112: Kyle Gillies, Westland John Glenn senior – Seven wrestlers in this bracket have four or fewer losses, but Gillies is the only undefeated contender, entering 52-0.

112: Lincoln Olson, Davison sophomore – May be an underdog with an undefeated wrestler in the way, but won 103 last season.

119: Shayne Wireman, Holt senior – Driving for his second MHSAA title in three seasons (he won 103 in 2011) and at 43-0 is the only undefeated wrestler in his bracket.

119: Mitch Rogaliner, Temperance-Bedford senior – Boasts a 45-2 record this winter after winning 112 with a 9-5 decision in 2012.

135: Justin Oliver, Davison junior – Won 112 as a freshman and 119 as a sophomore, and enters this weekend 12-1 after helping Davison to last week’s Team Final.

135: Ken Bade, Detroit Catholic Central senior: Looking to win his third championship after taking 130 last season and 125 in 2011, and enters with a 36-7 record against one of the state’s toughest schedules.

152: Aaron Calderon, Brighton senior – Made one of the biggest headlines of 2012 by beating a three-time champion to claim the title at 152, and looks to repeat entering 45-4.

160: Dakota Juarez, Grand Haven junior – Seeking Grand Haven’s first championship since 2008 while entering 41-0 and after finishing third at 152 in 2012.

160: Jordan Cooks, Davison junior – Moved to 39-1 during last weekend’s Division 1 Team Finals and looking to add a repeat individual title after winning this weight in 2012.

171: Drew Garcia, Detroit Catholic Central junior – Won 171 pounds last year after finishing runner-up at 152 in 2011, and could make it two in a row entering this weekend 48-0.

Also undefeated: Holt sophomore Benny Gomez (103, 43-0), Holt junior Martin Rodriguez (125, 12-0), Rochester senior Josh Wood (125, 15-0), Livonia Franklin junior Jordan Atienza (152, 55-0)

Returning MHSAA runners-up: Canton junior Ben Griffin (125, 49-4, 112 in 2012), Grand Haven sophomore Camden Bertucci (112, 40-1, 103 in 2012), Hartland junior Austin Eicher (130, 48-1, 119 in 2012), Detroit Catholic Central junior Malik Amine (140, 36-6, 135 in 2012), Portage Central junior Dominic Latora (152, 44-2, 145 in 2012), Temperance Bedford senior Brandon Sunday (215, 47-1, 285 in 2012). 

PHOTO: Detroit Catholic Central's Drew Garcia gets his arm raised high after winning his match during Friday's Team Quarterfinal against Grandville. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

Performance of the Week: Detroit Catholic Central's Darius Marines

March 8, 2024

Darius Marines headshotDarius Marines ♦ Detroit Catholic Central
Senior ♦ Wrestling

Marines became the 36th wrestler in Michigan high school history to win a fourth Individual Finals championship as he clinched the 157-pound title with a 10-2 major decision over Roseville's previously-undefeated Jay'Den Williams on Saturday at Ford Field. Marines became the third Detroit Catholic Central wrestler to earn four Finals titles. 

The clinching victory put Marines at 50-0 to close this season, and 138-9 for his career. His previous championships came at 145 pounds as a freshman, 152 as a sophomore and 157 last year as a junior. He won by technical fall, pin and then major decision on the way to meeting Williams in the championship match. He also helped the Shamrocks to Division 1 team titles the last two seasons. Marines will continue wrestling at the college level and is considering multiple Division I opportunities.

@mhsaasports 🤼‍♂️POW: Darius Marines #wrestling #individual #detroitcatholiccentral #letsgo #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

@mhsaasports 🤼‍♂️POW: Darius Marines #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #muhammadali #joker #pasta #japan #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

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PHOTO DCC's Darius Marines, left, wrestles Roseville's Jay'Den Williams in the Division 1 157-pound championship match Saturday at Ford Field. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)