D3 Preview: Ready to Make More History
February 28, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The 2018 Division 3 Individual Wrestling Finals gave fans arguably the highlights of the day at Ford Field, with a pair of four-time champions joining a legendary group.
Those are pretty tough acts to follow, of course. But this season’s contenders have opportunities to stack up impressive accomplishments as well.
Below, we look at 10 contenders to watch in Division 3, plus list everyone who finished at least as a runner-up in 2018 and all of the top seeds heading into this weekend. Surely we still missed a few who will end up rising to the top of the podium Saturday – but come back to Second Half early Sunday as we’ll interview and report on all 56 champions.
The “Grand March” on Friday begins at 11 a.m., with five rounds wrestled throughout the day including the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Wrestling picks back up with consolation rounds at 9 a.m. Saturday, and concludes with the championship matches that afternoon at 3 p.m.
Follow all matches on a subscription basis live on MHSAA.tv, and click here for results at MHSAA.com.
112: Hunter Assenmacher, Ida junior (46-3) – Last season’s champion at 103 and runner-up at that weight in 2017 owns the top seed at this weight this weekend. After going undefeated last season, his three losses this winter were all to Dundee – twice to 103 top seed Casey Swiderski and then to teammate Austin Fietz.
119: Dametrius Castillo, Alma sophomore (33-4) – After last year becoming Alma’s first individual champion since 1993, Castillo is back not as a top seed but with an opportunity to avenge one his losses on the way to the final. His defeats this winter all were to Finals qualifiers, with Montrose’s Jake Elasivich a possible semifinal opponent.
125 Corey Gamet, Michigan Center senior (43-0) – He’s the top seed at this weight, previously winning championships in Division 2 at 103 as a freshman and 112 as a sophomore while attending Parma Western. This also would be his second perfect high school season if he takes the title.
140: Christian Killion, Dundee junior (41-5) – The top seed at 140 was the runner-up last season at 130 and also finished fourth at 119 as a freshman. His in-state defeats this season were to reigning Finals champions from other divisions, Detroit Catholic Central’s Derek Gilcher (D1) and Mendon’s Skyler Crespo (D4).
145: Trevor Robinson, Shepherd senior (41-2) – The runner-up last season at 135 is the top seed this weekend at 145, with losses only to Finals qualifiers from Divisions 1 and 2. He also was the runner-up at 125 as a freshman before taking third at 130 as a sophomore.
152: Stoney Buell, Dundee sophomore (41-8) – Buell is another on a possible four-title track after winning 135 a year ago. He has more losses than some others, but they are quality. In-state he fell to Lowell’s Avery Mutschler and Austin Boone, St. Johns’ James Whitaker and Detroit Catholic Central’s Cameron Amine – all returning champions or top seeds this weekend.
152: Sean Trombley, Lake Fenton senior (47-1) – Last season’s runner-up at 145 is not the top seed at this weight but is opposite Dundee’s Buell, potentially setting up a high-powered final. Trombley also was runner-up at 140 as a sophomore and took fifth at 135 as a freshman. His loss this winter came to Byron’s Jerry Hall in the District, and Trombley avenged it by beating Hall at the Regional.
160: DJ Daniels, Caro senior (52-0) – Last year’s champion at 152 is the top seed at 160, and he’s won a combined 110 matches over the last two seasons. He also took third at 140 as a sophomore.
171: Owen Guilford, Portland senior (44-0) – The reigning champion at this weight has been even better, what little he could improve statistically, with a perfect record after losing just one match last season. The top seed at this weight, he’s looking to add to a run that also included a fourth at 160 in 2017.
189 Gavin Morgan, Mount Morris junior (50-0) – Morgan enters the Finals as an undefeated top seed for the second season in a row after doing the same last year at 160. He went on to finish sixth in part by taking an injury default in his consolation match, but is back seeking his first title after also finishing runner-up at 152 as a freshman.
Other 2018 runners-up: 119 Khalil Moten, Mount Morris senior (10-5, 119 in Division 3 in 2018 competing for Flint Beecher); 135 Tyler Swiderski, Dundee sophomore (25-10, 112 in 2018); 125 Kyle Schaaf, Clare senior (42-4, 119 in 2018); 140 Nick Felt, Shelby senior (41-3, 140 in 2018), 215 Brockton Cook, Birch Run senior (50-3, 189 in 2018).
Additional No. 1 seeds: 103 Casey Swiderski, Dundee freshman (42-2); 119 Josh Sunnerville, Otsego junior (47-2); 130 Josh Rankin, Michigan Center senior (36-4); 135 Jonathon White, Dundee senior (35-9); 215 Brockton Cook, Birch Run senior (50-3); 285 Mike Nykoriak, Algonac senior (44-1).
Also undefeated: 130 Damian Flores-Luevano, Wyoming Kelloggsville senior (21-0); Seth Konynenbelt, Hudsonville Unity Christian senior (45-0).
PHOTO: Alma’s Dametrius Castillo, here last week against Richmond during the Team Quarterfinals, will attempt to win his second individual title after last year claiming the school’s first in more than two decades. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Lowell's Blum Joins Pair of Elite Clubs with 4th Individual Finals Title
By
Drew Ellis
Special for MHSAA.com
March 1, 2025
DETROIT – Lowell senior Jackson Blum entered rarefied air Saturday at the 2025 MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals.
Not only did Blum become one of 40 wrestlers to win a fourth individual championship, but he also became one of just seven in MHSAA history to win four individual titles and four team titles when he claimed the 132-pound championship in Division 2.
“It’s an amazing feeling. God has blessed me so much,” Blum said of the accomplishment. “The road has had a lot of ups and downs, but in the end, I was able to come out on top because of Him.”
Blum was one of three wrestlers to become a four-time individual champion Saturday, and he admitted the pressure of fulfilling that goal got to be challenging this season.
“At the beginning of this year, I felt pressure on myself. I felt like I had to win my fourth and be the next one,” Blum said. “But, that’s when I really just tried to let God guide me and take off that pressure.”
Blum (47-0) was in control of his opponent, Gull Lake junior Rasler Warner (33-4), throughout the bout.
Blum scored four takedowns in the first round and added two more in the second to secure the 19-4 technical fall 2:53 into the contest. He was one of four Lowell wrestlers to claim an individual title Saturday.
106
Champion: Pilot Swab, Stevensville Lakeshore, Soph. (45-7)
Decision, 8-1, over Tyler Cooper, Plainwell, Fr. (39-10)
Behind a late takedown in the third period that led to near-fall points, Swab claimed his first championship with a decision win over Cooper.
Swab avenged a pair of losses to Cooper during the season to claim the title.
“I just decided to pick up the pace during the last 30 seconds of the match,” Swab said. “I knew I had to pick it up. It means a lot to be a state champion.”
113
Champion: Jarrett Smith, Lowell, Jr. (42-3)
Major Decision, 8-0, over Carson Blum, Lowell, Fr. (37-7)
Facing off with a teammate at the Finals for the second consecutive season, Smith came away with a second championship.
“It’s tough, but it’s also really cool because you know you are training with the best guy in the state at your weight, every day in practice,” Smith said. “I have some years on (Blum), but he’s going to be great. He’s a great wrestler.”
Smith managed a takedown in each of the first two rounds and then scored a reverse to control the match and keep Blum off the scoreboard.
120
Champion: Cristian Haslem, St. Clair, Jr. (41-0)
Decision, 17-12, over Devan Garcia, Battle Creek Harper Creek, Soph. (37-2)
Haslem avenged a loss to Garcia at the 2024 Finals at 113 pounds, coming away with a win in a high-scoring championship match.
“I had been working all season toward getting my revenge and getting that title,” Haslem said. “It motivated me every step of the way this season. I made sure to wrestle my match at my pace this time around, and it feels amazing to be a state champion.
The key moment came in the second period when Haslem got a takedown on an ankle pick that put him ahead for good at 9-6. He followed that up with a takedown to open the third and controlled things from there.
126
Champion: Jeremiah Brown, Flint Kearsley, Sr. (25-0)
Decision, 6-5, over Quinten Cassiday, Cedar Springs, Soph. (47-2)
Trailing 5-3 late in the third period, Brown scored a takedown to go up 6-5 and held on from there to complete an unbeaten senior season.
“I knew I had nothing to lose at that point,” Brown said of the late takedown. “I was already down, it was my senior year, I had to just go. It feels great. I am living on a high right now.”
They had met in the Regional Final last weekend with Brown winning 13-7, but he knew Saturday’s rematch wouldn’t be so easy.
“I wasn’t sure if I could beat (Cassiday) again. He improved a lot,” Brown said. “He’s just a sophomore, and he’s a phenomenal wrestler. I’m really happy to have been able to win.”
138
Champion: Trenden Bashore, DeWitt, Sr. (59-1)
Decision, 8-4, over Luke Egan, Cedar Springs, Jr. (50-3)
Takedowns in the second and third rounds allowed DeWitt’s Bashore to close out his high school career with his first championship.
“All I ever wanted to be was a state champion, and I always came up short. But, not this time,” Bashore said after the win.
Bashore finished runner-up at 132 pounds at the 2024 Finals, but took the loss to heart and let it motivate him to Saturday’s victory.
“Last year, I got my butt kicked by one of the best, and I took what happened and let it drive me,” he said. “This year, I put focus on the small part of my technique and being on the attack.”
144
Champion: Jaron Bensinger, Gaylord, Jr. (47-0)
Ultimate Tie-Breaker, 2-2, over Buddy Leonard, Freeland, Sr. (46-3)
Bensinger let the pain of finishing runner-up last season drive him to winning his first title.
A 1-1 match in regulation was ultimately decided on an ultimate tiebreaker, with Bensinger riding out Leonard to claim the championship in the final stage.
“I knew it was going to be a battle, but I never stopped wrestling and never stopped pushing the pace,” Bensinger said. “I was confident I could ride (Leonard) for those 30 seconds. I worked my whole life to be a state champ.”
Leonard and Bensinger each scored escape points in regulation and in the overtime periods to force the ultimate tie-breaker.
150
Champion: Lane Button, Wayland, Sr. (52-0)
Decision, 11-4, over Dylan Granger, Mason, Jr. (44-2)
Button closed out a two-year undefeated run with a decision win over Granger to win his second consecutive championship and finish 100-0 over his final two prep seasons.
The senior celebrated by honoring the Detroit Lions in their home, doing an Amon-Ra St. Brown headstand, following by the Kerby Joseph cartwheel and back flip.
“That was the plan all along,” Button said of the celebration. “(Granger) was my last high school loss, so it was good motivation for me all year. I felt like I had the pace and the speed and knew what I needed to do to finish with a win.”
Button’s early takedown in the first period set the tone, and he followed up with two more in the match, as well as a reversal, to keep Granger from getting within striking distance.
157
Champion: Johnathan Ford, Bay City John Glenn, Soph. (42-6)
Decision, 7-3, over Drew Ladach, New Boston Huron, Sr. (55-4)
After an injury during the District tournament kept him from competing for a Finals title in 2024, Ford made the most of this opportunity, winning a hard-fought contest with Ladach.
“It was a stressful match, but I knew I had to just keep attacking,” Ford said. “I’ve been envisioning this moment for a long time. Getting injured last year really motivated me and pushed me this weekend.”
Ford held a 4-1 lead in the second period before Ladach was able to cut the margin to one thanks to an escape and a stalling point. As the match closed, Ford secured another takedown to seal the deal.
165
Champion: Owen Segorski, Lowell, Sr. (45-4)
Decision, 9-7, over Zane Willobee, Gaylord, Jr. (32-2)
In a matchup of two 2024 champions, Segorski, the 144-pound title winner last year, overcame a deficit to grind out a 9-7 win over Willobee, the 157-pound champion from a year ago.
“I just had to trust in my training. I know the match is only six minutes, so I know I can go hard for six minutes, no matter how tired I get,” Segorski said.
Segorski trailed 6-5 early in the third period, but tied the match up with an escape and then scored a takedown on Willobee with 35 seconds remaining to get the win.
It was the third Finals championship for Segorski, who also won the 125-pound title as a freshman.
“It feels a lot better to win here, for sure,” Segorski said. “It was really important (to win). I didn’t want to go out with any regrets.”
175
Champion: Fabian Facundo, Freeland, Sr. (43-1)
Decision, 8-1, over Zachary Taylor, Gibraltar Carlson, Sr. (53-2)
Coming up one match shy of a championship in 2024, Facundo pushed himself late to break a 1-1 tie with Taylor and earn his first title.
The two were tied 1-1 in the closing moments of the match before Facundo blitzed for a takedown and got near-fall points to secure the victory.
“I could see (Taylor) was backing up and that’s what I wanted,” Facundo said of the late takedown. “It feels good, really good.”
190
Champion: Casey Engle, Lowell, Sr. (42-8)
Decision, 9-3, over Martin Knight, North Branch, Jr. (53-3)
The Lowell senior came out fast, scoring nine points in the opening period and then fending off Knight from there to secure the 190-pound title.
“I was just trying to score the first points of the match and set the tone. It always puts you in a good place,” Engle said. “I knew (Knight) was going to throw everything at me in a state final. I just had to stay composed and not get too excited.”
Engle would be the fourth and final Red Arrow to win a championship on the night.
“It’s just being part of the legacy,” Engle said. “It means a lot to be a part of it and to be able to be a champion for the program.”
215
Champion: James Mahon, Goodrich, Sr. (38-3)
Fall (1:35), over Holden Otter, Carleton Airport, Soph. (49-5)
After winning the 285-pound championship in 2023 and 2024, Mahon made the move down to 215 pounds this season.
The change didn’t keep him from adding a third title, as he scored a takedown early in the match and eventually worked it into a pinfall.
“It was tougher (this season at 215). I wasn’t used to people shooting on me. I had to make my stance a lot lower. I couldn’t just run through people,” Mahon said. “At points, (I doubted if I could win), but it didn’t last long. If I had that thought, I just told myself, ‘I am the best. I am going to win a third (title).’”
285
Champion: Dustin Warner, Sparta, Sr. (56-3)
Decision, 4-0, over Caden Sides, Gaylord, Sr. (42-4)
In a rematch of a Regional championship from last weekend, Warner avenged a loss to Sides with a 4-0 victory.
“I wrestled smarter this time around,” Warner said. “I took advantage of my strengths. I felt really good coming into the match, and it feels awesome to be a state champ.”
The two were scoreless through two periods, but Warner opened the third with an escape and then added a takedown with 34 seconds left in the match.
“I had to use my conditioning. I know I am in better shape than everyone,” he said. “So, if the match lasts, they’re going to gas. I had to keep pushing the pace.”
PHOTOS (Top) Jackson Blum’s arm is raised in victory Saturday after he claimed his fourth MHSAA Individual Finals championship. (Middle) Wayland’s Lane Button, right, prepares to lock up with Mason’s Dylan Granger at 150 pounds. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)