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.)
Rivals & Wrestlers Show Military Support
October 26, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Wrestling practice begins two weeks from Monday. But planning for a special military appreciation event at Coopersville is well underway and promises to be memorable.
The Broncos host an annual six-team tournament, which will take place this season Dec. 28. For this winter’s event, the school’s wrestling program has raised money to buy six uniforms – honoring the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and MIA/POW(s) – one set of 16 shirts and shorts for each competing team.
None of the uniforms will bear a school name or symbol, only those of the armed service branch or troops the shirts support. Organizers are planning to begin the event with a grand march with veterans leading each team. All veterans and active military will be admitted free of charge, and Coopersville will be inviting residents of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
Hastings, Kent City, Grand Rapids Northview, Ravenna and Zeeland West also will be competing and taking part. The shirts are designed by Addix, a sponsor of the MHSAA.
Rivals Team Up to Support Military Families
Neighboring volleyball programs Birch Run and Frankenmuth came together Oct. 10 to give their match as a fundraiser for the I Support the 1% Food Pantry for Veterans of Michigan, which serves local military families.
The teams wore shirts supporting the cause with names on the back of family members who had served or are currently serving in the military.
The match alone was worth the price of admission, as the Panthers won in five sets. The previous week, Birch Run’s football team also supported the pantry as part of Homecoming against Bridgeport.
The Panthers’ volleyball match with the Eagles was just the latest effort between the two schools from the Tri-Valley Conference. The cross country teams also continued their annual joint “fun run” maze competition during a practice this month.
(Photos courtesy of the Birch Run athletic department.)