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Davison's Facundo Earns Historic Opportunity

March 7, 2020

By Dan Stickradt
Special for Second Half 

DETROIT — Alex Facundo suffered a blow when he was disqualified one week ago during a match at the Division 1 Team Finals against eventual champion Detroit Catholic Central. 

But Facundo, the top-ranked wrestler in both the state and nation, did not let last weekend’s setback deter his goal this weekend of winning a third Individual Finals title.

Facundo, a junior who has committed to Penn State, posted a 13-5 major decision victory over Grandville’s Josh Kenny at 171 pounds at Ford Field. 

“I wanted to win this really bad and prove that I was the best in the state — and nation,” smiled Facundo. “I did that today. (Last week’s opponent) didn’t beat me. I lost on a (technically). I had something to prove.”

Facundo, who finished 39-2 this winter, will try to join an elite crowd next season as he’ll pursue a fourth MHSAA individual title.

“I’m really happy with the third title. I knew I could do it,” he said. “Next year, I’ll come back and go after my fourth title.”

Kenny, a senior who was third at 152 last season, finished 38-2.

103

Caden Horwath, Davison, Fr. (43-2)
Decision, 7-2, over Louden Stradling, Battle Creek Lakeview, Fr. (51-2)

One of five finalists for Davison, Horwath wrapped up a stellar 44-2 freshman campaign.

“I got a couple of takedowns early, rode him pretty hard on top and I took control,” said Horwath. “It means a lot to me because all of my hard work paid off. It’s a little relief off my shoulders.

“There’s a lot of (history) at Davison and because we lost (in the Team Final) it feels good for all of us to do well here,” added Horwath. “Now I hope to be back next year.”

112

Dylan Gilcher, Detroit Catholic Central, Fr., (40-3)
Technical fall, 18-3 (4:29), over Aiden Smith, Brighton, Soph. (39-11)

One of the state’s premier freshmen, Gilcher joined Catholic Central’s long list of Finals champions.

“There’s so much history at CC, and it’s incredible to be able to win a title,” said Gilcher. “It’s an incredible feeling and such a blessing to wrestle here at (Catholic Central). There’s some really high expectations.”

119

Brendan Ferretti, Macomb Dakota, Jr. (34-1)
Decision, 7-2, over Andrew Hampton, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, Jr. (52-2)

Ferretti has been nearly unstoppable the past two seasons, posting a 90-1 record during that span. The junior outlasted Hampton to capture his second straight title.

Ferretti won at 112 last season. 

“I never wrestled (Hampton) in my life. I just know I’m the best in my (weight) class and I wanted this,” said Ferretti. “I was nervous coming in, but it’s always good to work out those nerves and just go out there and win. I love this. I thrive off of (the big crowds). It makes it so much better, I think."

125

Andrew Chambal, Davison, Sr., (42-5)
Decision, 5-1, over Mason Shrader, Brighton, Jr. (41-7)

Davison had five finalists, and top-seeded Andrew Chambal came through with the victory in his final high school match. 

He finished second at 119 last season. 

“I went to a really dark place last year after I lost,” said Chambal. “Things were different for a while. Coming out here and doing what I love and coming out on top means the world to me. This changes my life. I feel like I’m on top of the world again.”

130

Sam Freeman, Brighton, Sr. (41-5)
Decision, 3-2, over Dylan Phelps, Holt, Sr. (39-5)

Freeman put together four years of hard work to reach the summit as a senior. He ended his prep career with a narrow 3-2 decision over Phelps, an opponent he has wrestled several times.

“This is just four years of hard work,” said Freeman. “A lot of guys will peak freshman year, but I didn’t make it to states my freshman year. I kept working, and it means so much more to know that I kept working to get here. It’s a great feeling to be at the top of the mountain at the end of the day.

“It’s not confidence as much as it’s excitement,” added Freeman. “This was two guys on the same level going for it on the big stage with a great match like that.”

135

Eddie Homrock, Brighton, Sr. (43-3)
Major decision, 9-0, over Camden Trupp, Detroit Catholic Central, Jr. (35-6)

Homrock has gotten used to Finals championships.

He’s now won two of them, after also capturing the title at 125 in 2019. But this deciding match carried some extra significance.

“I was nervous (this time), not because of (my opponent), but because it was my last match,” Homrock said. “I wasn’t scared, just nervous. I went out there and got it done. I knew no matter what I was going to push through it all.”

140 

Josh Edmond, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (43-0)
Technical fall, 23-7 (5:50), over Zach Johnson, Brighton, Jr. (41-9)

Detroit Catholic Central has produced legions of all-state wrestlers and champions. But Edmond reached an elite group at his school and statewide with his third Finals title. 

“It means a lot. I really wanted to be a three-time state champ, and I worked really hard for this,” said Edmond. “I think it’s a blessing. I am just blessed to be a part of the CC wrestling family. I thank all of my coaches for helping me get here.

“The game plan was to just wrestle hard. Things opened up, and I was able to pull away,” added Edmond. “I felt pretty good that I could win my third.”

145

T.J. Daugherty, Waterford Kettering, Sr. (35-0)
Decision, 3-1 (OT), over Marc Shaeffer, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (32-13)

Daugherty posted bookend Finals championship wins, earring titles as both a freshman and again as a senior.

“(Shaeffer) took a shot and I doubled by and went behind and got the point, and I did it,” said Daugherty of his win. “I beat him at (Oakland) County and I beat him at the Clarkston Duals. But this is where it matters most.

“When I was a freshman, I didn’t really know what was going on,” added Daugherty, who won at 103 in 2017. “This year I wanted to win it more than anything. I was able to get the win this year.”

Shaeffer previously finished runner-up at 140 in 2019. 

152

Josh Barr, Davison, Fr. (39-0)
Decision, 5-3, over Logan Sanom, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (42-10)

Davison’s future is bright, to say the least. There will be 11 returning starters next winter from a team that finished as the Division 1 runner-up, Barr among them.

The talented freshman was one of five finalists and three champions for the Cardinals, and a top seed at his first Individual Finals.

“I worked so hard all season to get here,” said Barr. “It’s a great feeling to win as a freshman. But this is just the beginning. I want to come back and go for it again. Plus we’re going to be really good again next year with almost everyone returning. We only had three seniors. So this is just a step (forward).”

160

Derek Gilcher, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (45-2)
Decision, 3-2, over Jay Nivison, Davison, Sr. (36-6)

Just a couple of hours after his freshman brother Dylan Gilcher claimed a title, Derek Gilcher followed suit with his third straight championship and fourth placing at the Finals. 

“Right now I feel great. But before my match I was a little nervous, really before my brother’s match. He’s new, he’s a freshman and never been through states before like I have,” said Gilcher. “But he did his job, and I had to go do mine.” 

Gilcher has been a four-year starter during Catholic Central’s four-year reign as the Division 1 team champion.

“I don’t think that’s been done before — the first time in CC history we’ve won four in a row,” smiled Gilcher. “We never won four in a row before, and now the three individual wins. It’s crazy. It adds to the legacy of the program, and the accomplishments show all of the hard work of the athletes and coaches.”

189

Manuel Rojas, Detroit Catholic Central, Soph. (46-1)
Decision, 7-3, over Colin Jagielski, Temperance Bedford, Sr. (47-3)

After getting the win with Facundo’s DQ at last weekend’s Team Final, Rojas heeded some advice from his coaches this week – and won his first individual championship.

“I went to school on Monday and sat down with (CC head coach Mitch Hancock). We decided to give up social media, stay off of it, and get away from all of the negativity. Just focus on all of the positive things,” said Rojas. “I just had to concentrate on getting prepared for this weekend and try to win here. Just be around my teammates and the people that care for me. That’s all that matters.”

Rojas was poked in the eye during the first period Saturday, which drew a little blood, and the scratch forced his eye to swell throughout the match. 

“I hear it’s pretty nasty. I can’t see it yet,” added Rojas of his swollen eye. “It happens. That’s wrestling.”

215

Brendin Yatooma, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (45-1)
Decision, 4-2, over Luke Stanton, Brighton, Sr. (32-4)

One week after helping DCC to another team title, Yatooma aided his team’s run to nine individual state finalists and six individual champions. The reigning champ at 215 capped his prep career with a repeat.

“This is for our coach and our entire coaching staff. They work so hard for us to get to this point,” said Yatooma. “We wrestle as hard of a schedule as anyone, and we come here to win. It’s an incredible brotherhood at CC. Not just wrestling, but for everyone. There is nowhere else I’d rather be than here competing for CC.”

285 

Steven Kolcheff, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (45-2)
Decision, 3-2 (OT), over Jake Swirple, Livonia Franklin, Sr. (58-2)

Kolcheff doesn’t mind a little overtime. He had to put some in Saturday night, and it resulted in a victory over top-seeded Swirple in the rubber match between the rivals.

Kolcheff won at the District level, while Swirple turned the tables during the Regional round.

“We’re the most conditioned team in the state,” said Kolcheff. “In overtime I felt good, felt confident. I didn’t want to win a state championship on a coin toss … so I went for it in overtime.

“It’s a great rivalry between us. For me, wrestling is my sport and it’s really dear to my heart. I want to win state titles, and that’s what I did today.”

Click for the full bracket.

PHOTO: Davison’s Alex Facundo (right) gets ahold of a leg of Grandville’s Josh Kenny on the way to winning his third Individual Finals championship. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

Hudson accepts its Division 4 championship trophy last season at Wings Event Center.

Preview: Era of Wrestling Dominance Opens Opportunities for Suspense

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 20, 2025

We’re experiencing an era of unmatched dominance in Michigan high school team wrestling.

Lowell has won a record 11 straight Division 2 Finals championships. Dundee is up to seven in a row in Division 3, Hudson has won three straight in Division 4, and Detroit Catholic Central is seeking its third consecutive in Division 1. And all four are seeded first again in their respective divisions for Team Finals weekend at Wings Event Center.

It’s something to behold – and would make any potential challenges that much more spectacular.

Competition begins Friday at noon with the first of four sets of Quarterfinals. Semifinals are Saturday morning and noon, with championship matches on four adjacent mats at 3:45 p.m. Brackets for all four divisions, links to buy tickets and watch online can be found on the Wrestling page. See below for glances at all 32 hopefuls, listed by division and seed.

Division 1

#1 DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 24-5, No. 1
League finish: First in Catholic High School League
Coach: Mitch Hancock, 18th season (407-65)
Championship history: Seventeen MHSAA championships (most recent 2024), four runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Cadon Waatti (29-12) jr., 120 Wyatt Lees (32-5) jr., 120 Ryan Totten (41-10) soph., 126 Mack Moscovic (21-8) soph., 126 Jamison Gregory (33-5) soph., 132 Nathan Walkowiak (25-10) sr., 132 Meyer Murray (27-10) fr., 144 Grayson Fuchs (36-1) soph., 150 Alexander Buskirk (33-10) jr., 157 Braxten Roche (30-12) fr., 165 Andrew White (31-10) sr., 175 Caden Krueger (28-11) soph., 190 Lee Krueger (34-8) sr., 215 Connor Bercume (41-0) sr.
Outlook: DCC has won two straight Division 1 team championships and six of the last eight with runner-up finishes the other two seasons during that time, and it’s tough to imagine the dominance ending with only four seniors among 14 Individual Finals qualifiers. Lees and Bercume will both wrestle next week for third individual championships, and Fuchs will wrestle for his second straight. White, Lee Krueger, junior Ben Eziuka (5-1), Totten, Gregory, Moscovic and Walkowiak all were Finals placers as well last season.

#2 BRIGHTON
Record/rank: 27-0, No. 2
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Coach: Shawn Scott, fifth season (109-27)
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2015, runner-up 2019 and 2018.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Jameson Wood (40-2) soph., 113 Bronson Shinkonis (43-2) fr., 126 Drake Pollins (35-9) jr., 132 Beck Yurkunas (33-12) fr., 144 Xander Courneya (30-9) jr., 150 Kaden Tindall (40-5) jr., 165 Dominic Nauss (40-9) fr., 165 Mason Gardner (39-9) jr., 175 Nate Stark (41-5) sr., 190 Sullivan Haas (37-3) soph., 215 Sean O’Keefe (33-1) sr., Girls-120 Rayna Richardson (30-6) soph., Girls-125 Emme Delisle (32-9) jr.
Outlook: Brighton is making its second-straight Quarterfinals appearance under Scott and after just missing making the Semifinals last year with a one-point Friday loss. Stark, O’Keefe and Jackson Johnson (132, 16-5) are the only senior starters, making this another team that should continue to be in the mix. The Bulldogs won three of four playoff matches by shutout, with only No. 10 Grand Ledge scoring on them during this run. Junior Ethan Smith (120, 33-4) was the individual runner-up at 106 last season, and O’Keefe and Pollins also were Finals placers.

#3 DAVISON
Record/rank: 17-3, No. 3
League finish: N/A, Saginaw Valley League
Coach: Jason Mester, first season (17-3)
Championship history: Ten MHSAA championships (most recent 2022), six runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 120 Steve Vaughn (25-10) soph., 132 Dominic Perez (22-10) sr., 138 Calvin Martz (12-2) jr., 144 Tanner McDunnah (29-7) sr., 144 Tobias Pacheco (23-13) fr., 150 Julius Pacheco (29-7) soph., 157 Kyle Jelinek (26-5) sr., 165 Race Eckles (24-12) sr., 175 Brayden Bundy (13-6) jr., 190 Cameron Savage (24-9) jr., 215 Brandon Glisson (29-8) jr., Girls-105 Aubrey Bowman (18-4) fr.
Outlook: Davison is returning to Kalamazoo after posting one of the most impressive runs of the 2024 Finals weekend, when as a No. 6 seed the Cardinals upset third-seeded Brighton in the Quarterfinal and fell to second-seeded Hartland only 37-31 in the Semifinal. Seeded much higher this time, Davison will make its move with Vaughn the reigning individual champion at 106, McDunnah the returning runner-up at 144 and Julius Pacheco, Jelinek and Martz also Individual Finals placers a year ago.

#4 CLARKSTON
Record/rank: 25-2, No. 5
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Brian Gibbs, fifth season (90-20)
Championship history: Class A champion 1991, runner-up 1995.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Joseph Hahn (28-12) fr., 106 Jay Wilson (23-9) fr., 113 Gavin Culloty (34-6) soph., 126 Archer Anderson (40-2) sr., 138 Preston Lefevre (43-1) sr., 144 Ayden Mutter (30-9) jr., 150 Nathaniel Carter (36-6) jr., 165 Trey Setter (30-10) jr., 285 Camden Neumann (30-4) sr.
Outlook: Clarkston is back at Finals weekend for the first time since 2021 and another team that looks good to stick around with only four senior starters and only three among nine Individual Finals qualifiers. The Wolves defeated Hartland 42-35 to advance, ending the Eagles’ run of 23 straight Regional titles. Anderson was the individual champion at 120 last season and Lefevre the runner-up, and Carter also is a returning Finals placer.

#5 TEMPERANCE BEDFORD
Record/rank: 33-1, No. 6
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference
Coach: Kevin Vogel, 14th season (343-70)
Championship history: Eleven MHSAA championships (most recent 2001), seven runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Cody Duvendack (46-7) soph., 120 Griffin Tibai (43-10) soph., 126 Tristan King (49-8) jr., 138 Lucas Gerber (34-10) sr., 144 Noah Benore (53-5) sr., 165 Zach Miracle (51-3) jr., 175 Connor Hall (40-13) sr., 285 Chase Norbury (49-4) sr..
Outlook: Bedford is making its fourth-straight Finals trip and advanced with a 43-24 Regional Final win over Westland John Glenn. The lone dual loss came to Clarkston on Dec. 4. A group of six seniors and five juniors anchor the lineup, and Benore, Norbury and Duvendack all were Individual Finals placers in 2024.

#6 ROCKFORD
Record/rank: 26-6, No. 8
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Coach: Brian Richardson, 16th season (366-135)
Championship history: Two MHSAA championships (most recent 2009), three runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Layne Martin (39-3) soph., 120 Keagen Elliott (13-9) soph., 126 Logan Welmerink (28-13) fr., 138 Liam Fitzpatrick (35-9) jr., 157 Braylenn Aulbach (40-2) sr., 190 Logan Hammingh (40-6) jr.
Outlook: Make it six trips to the Finals over the last seven seasons for Rockford, which reached the Semifinals a year ago. While Aulbach is the only senior Individual Finals qualifier, he’s also one of five senior starters anchoring the upper weights. Fitzpatrick and Hammingh were Finals placers last season.

#7 MACOMB DAKOTA
Record/rank: 20-6, unranked
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Coach: Ed Skowneski, 13th season (335-72)
Championship history: Has never advanced to an MHSAA Final.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 120 Landon Smith (27-18) sr., 126 Carl Nihranz (41-6) IV jr., 138 Ozia Wilson (40-6) sr., 144 Ryan Tucker (33-13) sr., 150 Lucas Harper (39-10) jr., 215 Logan Criteser (40-1) sr., 285 Brady Hamby (40-4) sr.
Outlook: Dakota is another Finals weekend regular, with this the Cougars’ second-straight trip but 11th total during Skowneski’s 13 seasons. Wilson, Criteser, Hamby and Nihranz all were Individual Finals placers a year ago.

#8 ROMEO
Record/rank: 26-13, unranked
League finish: Second in MAC Red
Coach: Jim Cali, 33rd season (754-338-7)
Championship history: Has never advanced to an MHSAA Final.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Nico Adamo (43-13) fr., 113 Justin Rizzo (32-20) jr., 120 Valentino Adamo (40-12) soph., 126 Bryce Holt (36-12) jr., 144 Owen Perry (19-2) jr., 157 Jake Turley (37-11) sr., 190 Thomas Jaynes (50-5) jr.
Outlook: Excitement should be brewing for Romeo. Not only did the Bulldogs earn a second Regional title over the last three seasons, but they’ve won District championships five straight years and defeated No. 7 Rochester Adams 45-26 as part of this run. There are only four senior starters, all at upper weights, and Perry, Valentino Adamo and Holt are all returning Individual Finals placers.

Division 2

#1 LOWELL
Record/rank: 27-4, No. 1
League finish: First in River Cities Alliance
Coach: R.J. Boudro, 11th season (220-34)
Championship history: Fourteen MHSAA championships (most recent 2024), six runner-up finishes. 
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 John McKay (34-12) fr., 113 Jarrett Smith (36-3) jr., 113 Carson Blum (31-6) fr., 120 Cole Cichocki (23-15) soph., 126 Carter Cichocki (31-10) sr., 132 Jackson Blum (41-0) sr., 144 Logan Dawson (35-9) jr., 150 Trevor Boone (31-13) jr., 165 Owen Segorski (38-4) sr., 190 Casey Engle (35-8) sr., 215 Juan Acosta (23-13) sr., Girls-100 Veronica Tapia (28-1) jr., Girls-105 Tatianna Castillo (24-0) fr.
Outlook: Lowell’s record championship streak continues to have plenty of fuel with another crew of younger standouts joining the seven seniors including Blum, who will wrestle next weekend for a fourth Individual Finals title. Segorski won titles last year and as a freshman, and Smith and Carter Cichocki also are returning champions from 2024. Cole Cichocki was the runner-up last season to Smith at 106, and Boone, Dawson, Engle, senior Braddock King (120, 30-9) and Tapia also were Individual Finals placers.

#2 FREELAND
Record/rank: 22-3, No. 6
League finish: Second in Tri-Valley Conference
Coach: Jon Rosebush, first season (22-3)
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up 2024.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 144 Buddy Leonard (43-2) sr., 175 Fabian Facundo (37-1) sr., 215 Brigham Smith (32-4) jr.
Outlook: Freeland reached the season’s final dual last year for the first time, but there should be plenty of good times to come as Leonard and Facundo are among only four seniors on a roster with 13 underclassmen among 22 wrestlers total. Rosebush previously coached Saginaw Heritage and has a 365-176 record total over 17 seasons. Facundo was the runner-up at 150 last season, and junior Easton Rosebush (106, 37-7) was eighth at 106. Leonard was the Division 3 runner-up at 130 competing for Alma.

#3 NEW BOSTON HURON
Record/rank: 25-2, No. 7
League finish: First in Huron League
Coach: Logan Ritchie, fourth season (73-29)
Championship history: Class B champion 1981 and 1978.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Caleb Frazier (37-9) jr., 126 Daniel Gemmel (45-3) soph., 132 Jason Downs (47-6) jr., 138 Cayden Banko (41-9) soph., 144 Braydon Hall (53-5) soph., 157 Drew Ladach (50-3) sr., 157 Nathan Matsos (45-9) jr., 165 Garrett Marentette (30-16) fr., Girls-130 Hailey Wisler (20-1) jr.
Outlook: Huron has made a solid jump in its fourth season under Ritchie – an Individual Finals champion for the Chiefs in 2014 and 2015 – winning their first league, District and Regional titles under his leadership. Huron had to navigate a tough road to return, with three of its four postseason wins coming by six points or fewer, but did so with only two senior starters and eight underclassmen in the lineup. Ladach and Wisler were Individual Finals placers last season.

#4 THREE RIVERS
Record/rank: 25-0, No. 2
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Jeff Smith, ninth season (146-81)
Championship history: Has never advanced to an MHSAA Final.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 126 Jak Monroe (44-6) jr., 132 Gaven Babcock (38-10) soph., 138 Ethan Moreland (43-8) soph., 144 Ayden Keller (46-6) sr., 165 Braylon Faile (42-7) soph., 175 Louis Smith (41-6) jr., 215 Jaxon Smith (42-6) jr.
Outlook: Three Rivers has firmly established itself among the best in Division 2 the last two seasons, missing the Semifinals last year with a one-point Quarterfinal loss but bouncing back to bring a combined 55-1 record over the last two campaigns into this weekend. The Wildcats still have just four senior starters but six sophomores bolstering the lineup including Ethan Moreland, who finished sixth at 126 to cap his freshman season.

#5 GREENVILLE
Record/rank: 32-8, No. 8
League finish: Third in River Cities Alliance
Coach: Stephen Hilliker, first season (32-8)
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2008, runner-up 2011.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 157 Chayson Eberspeaker (24-12) soph., 215 Case Johnson (53-1) sr.
Outlook: After a decade away, Greenville has reached Finals weekend the last two seasons and this time under Hilliker, a two-time individual placer for the Yellowjackets before graduating in 2017. He’ll bring 28 wrestlers to Kalamazoo with six seniors including five who start. Johnson was the individual runner-up at 215 last season.

#6 LINDEN
Record/rank: 45-0, No. 4
League finish: First in Flint Metro League
Coach: Aaron Lawrence, second season (77-11)
Championship history: Has never advanced to an MHSAA Final.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Tyler Sage (55-1) fr., 113 Luciano Luna (49-8) fr., 144 Adoniah Delgado (56-2) jr., 165 Lucus Lewandowski (41-12) fr., 175 Jordan Brennan (37-12) sr., 190 Josh Ezell (49-9) sr.
Outlook: This will be Linden’s first Finals weekend appearance since 2007 – and keep an eye on this team moving forward. Lawrence took over last season after most recently assisting at Lake Fenton for nearly a decade, and he will graduate only three from an undefeated league champion – with the majority of his top reserves freshmen.

#7 FOWLERVILLE
Record/rank: 33-4, No. 3
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Coach: Dan Coon, 28th season (record N/A).
Championship history: Class B champion 1994.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Matt Jeffrey (46-10) sr., 132 Connor Stankov (36-16) jr., 144 Levi Baker (17-4) sr., 150 Jacob Hodge (47-5) fr., 165 Waylon Lamkin (42-13) sr., 175 Brock Foster (24-6) jr., 190 Brayden Packer (28-8) jr., 215 Layne O’Neil (42-6) jr., 285 Liam O’Neil (39-4) fr., Girls-105 Cayden Taylor (25-17) jr., Girls-115 Anna Buurma (35-7) soph., Girls-130 Hannah Blyveis (36-4) sr., Girls-145 Margaret Buurma (34-3) sr.
Outlook: Fowlerville has won Regional titles two of the last three seasons, this time defeating formerly-ranked Mason 36-34 along the way. Layne O’Neal is a returning Individual Finals placer and Margaret Buurma is three-time individual champion in the girls division, with Blyveis and Anna Buurma also returning placers.

#8 WARREN WOODS TOWER
Record/rank: 10-7, unranked
League finish: Third in MAC Red
Co-coaches: Greg Mayer, 25th season (439-295); Russell Correll, 12th season (202-83)
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up 2017.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 138 Dominic Gumtow (19-1), 190 Amari Richardson (43-1), 215 Joshua Golding (34-10).
Outlook: Warren Woods Tower is headed back to the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2021, coming off also its 12th-straight District title and emerging from a MAC Red that also has two teams in the Division 1 bracket. Gumtow was the individual runner-up at 120 last season, and Richardson and Golding also are returning placers.

Division 3

#1 DUNDEE
Record/rank: 20-0, No. 1
League finish: First in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Co-coaches: Nate Hall & Garrett Stevens, third seasons (34-7)
Championship history: Sixteen MHSAA championships (most recent 2024), eight runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Mason Katschor (28-5) soph., 120 Haydn Nutt (27-6) jr., 120 Mason Haines (31-5) jr., 126 Bryan Sterling (28-12) jr., 132 Braden Broderick (28-10) jr., 138 Wyatt Burns (31-9) soph., 144 Stone Redmon (38-13) fr., 144 Avery Lane (29-7) soph., 150 Blake Cosby (30-0) jr., 157 Jeremy Amrhein (38-6) jr., 165 Donny Beaufait (40-1) jr., 175 Kole Katschor (38-4) sr., 175 Owen Motylinski (22-11) jr., 190 Rocco Redmon (21-4) jr., Girls-100 McKenzie Mantei (25-2) fr.
Outlook: Dundee has an argument as the state’s best team this season thanks to a championship at the Detroit Catholic Central Invitational last month. The Vikings haven’t had a single-digit Division 3 championship match during their seven-year title run since 2019. The scariest part? Kole Katschor is the only senior starter. Cosby, Mason Katschor and Kole Katschor are reigning individual champions, and Kole Katschor actually will wrestle next weekend for a third Individual Finals title, while Nutt also won at the 2023 event. Beaufait was the runner-up at 150 last year, Nutt was the runner-up at 113, and Amrhein, Haines, Broderick and Burns all were placers.

#2 YALE
Record/rank: 30-2, No. 3
League finish: Second in Blue Water Area Conference
Co-coaches: Rob Majcher & Adam Sopha, 12th seasons (188-166)
Championship history: Has never advanced to an MHSAA Final.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Mackey McClelland (39-2) fr., 120 Landon Sopha (51-4) sr., 120 Logan Rhodes (26-11) soph., 132 Kersten McClelland (47-8) jr., 144 Caiden Hackett (29-11) jr., 165 Cole McLaughlin (48-7) sr., 190 William Spain (38-16) sr., 285 Shawn Coarse (33-18) soph., Girls-105 Gianna Hoskins (25-5) soph., Girls-190 Ember Marriott (20-10) sr.
Outlook: The Blue Water Area Conference continues to be one of the strongest wrestling leagues in the state, and Algonac and Yale entered the postseason ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively in Division 3, with Yale edging their league rival 32-31 in the Regional Final. Yale as a sixth seed missed upsetting third-seeded Clinton in the Quarterfinals last year, falling 34-27, and brings back Individual Finals placers Sopha, McLaughlin and Hoskins. Sopha and McLaughlin are among eight senior starters.

#3 WHITEHALL
Record/rank: 28-5, No. 5
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference Lakes
Coach: Justin Zeerip, seventh season (188-20)
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2024, 2023 and 2021, Class C runner-up 1984.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 120 Cody Manzo (42-9) jr., 138 Caden Varela (29-17) sr., 157 Liam Leeke (46-7) soph., 190 Gavin Craner (53-0) sr., 215 Wyatt Jenkins (49-2) sr., 215 Billy Darke Jr. (22-13) fr., Girls-115 Kassie Sapp (12-2) fr.
Outlook: Whitehall has become an annual contender under Zeerip, and that should continue as this roster has only five seniors among 28 wrestlers total. Craner was the champion at 175 pounds last season and hasn’t lost since sophomore year. Junior Kolten Weiler (132, 32-18) also was an Individual Finals placer last winter.

#4 ALLEGAN
Record/rank: 30-2, No. 4
League finish: Tied for first in Southwestern Athletic Conference
Coach: Chase Beard, fourth season (57-42)
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2007), two runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Jacob Collier (43-13) soph., 113 Sullivan Morgan (41-14) fr., 138 Luke Wedge (46-13) sr., 144 Treydan Vander Kooi (52-6) jr., 150 Landon Coulson (46-11) sr., 157 Ryan Sparks (41-6) jr., 175 Rysten Williams (50-6) jr. Girls-135 Dawn DeGood (28-5) sr.
Outlook: Allegan won its first Regional title since 2016 and has made a jump every season under Beard, a 2017 grad. The Tigers went from just three dual wins his first season to 10, then 14 and now 30 this winter. A 33-30 Regional Semifinal win over Constantine was especially key to this run. Four seniors anchor the lineup including as well Aiden Pearce (157, 41-14) and Sylar Bush (215, 28-25).

#5 HART
Record/rank: 29-4, No. 7
League finish: First in WMC Rivers
Coach: Rocky Smith, second season (55-10)
Championship history: Has never advanced to an MHSAA Final.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Jordan Thies (36-9) fr., 113 Kole Thomas (42-8) soph., 113 Michael Chavira (22-9) soph., 132 Halen Boos (31-11) jr., 138 Ty Thomas (41-5) sr., 144 Logan Jorissen (38-15) jr., 165 Haegan Hansen (40-12) soph., 175 Alex Hicks (49-2) sr., 285 Adrian Lara (42-7) jr.
Outlook: Hart has reached the Quarterfinals both seasons under Smith, both times as the fifth seed but this time with nearly twice as many Individual Finals qualifiers. Of nine who will wrestle next weekend at Ford Field, only two are seniors, and four more seniors help fill out the starting lineup. Hicks is a returning individual placer from a year ago.

#6 LAKE ODESSA LAKEWOOD
Record/rank: 39-7, No. 6
League finish: First in CAAC White
Coach: Anthony Harmer, fifth season (123-37)
Championship history: Has never advanced to an MHSAA Final.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 126 Vincent Stamm (30-3) fr., 150 Bryson Boucher (41-7) soph., 285 Joel Simon (44-4) sr.
Outlook: Lakewood also is making a return trip to Kalamazoo, but seeded two spots higher than a year ago. The Vikings also moved up one spot to win their league and have their most wins of Harmer’s five seasons. Simon and Stamm were Individual Finals placers last year.

#7 ADRIAN MADISON
Record/rank: 25-8, No. 10
League finish: Fourth in LCAA
Coach: Scott Hall, 17th season (240-167)
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 1979)
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Jacob Byrd (37-9) sr., 126 Malaki Mosher (38-9) sr., 132 Paul McClure (33-10) jr., 150 Landon Mohr (33-13) sr., 165 Jalonn Borders (46-5) sr., 285 Logan Russell (41-13) sr.
Outlook: One of the most senior-heavy lineups at Wings this weekend has Madison making the trip to the Quarterfinals for the first time since the present-day MHSAA Team Tournament was created in 1988 (although Madison’s first three championships came via an abbreviated dual format from 1974-76). The five seniors who advanced to the Individual Finals are part of a group of 10 senior starters total. Mosher, Borders and senior Lukas Leonard (144, 33-16) were individual placers in 2024.

#8 OGEMAW HEIGHTS
Record/rank: 23-8, unranked
League finish: Fourth in Jack Pine Conference
Coach: Dominic Goulette, 12th season (229-115)
Championship history: Division 2 champion 1998.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Roman Goulette (30-9) soph., 120 Charles Bruder (28-22) jr., 138 Jackson Ziegler (41-11) soph., 175 Conner Lambert (44-9) jr., 215 Calvin Marshall (29-1) jr.
Outlook: Ogemaw Heights is celebrating a historic accomplishment as well as this trip to the Quarterfinals will be the team’s first since its championship season of 1998. The Falcons have won District titles five straight seasons and seven of the last nine, but they’ve achieved this run with only one senior starter – which should mean more good things to come.

Division 4

#1 HUDSON
Record/rank: 26-5, No. 1
League finish: Second in LCAA
Coach: Scott Marry, 37th season (943-210)
Championship history: 11 MHSAA championships (most recent 2024), four runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Jaxton Kimling (33-15) soph., 126 Nicholas Sorrow (46-1) jr., 132 Colt Perry (35-10) jr., 138 Julien Kimling (17-2) sr., 144 Beckett Campbell (45-3) fr., 144 Owen Loop (28-17) soph., 157 Jacob Pickford (39-10) sr., 165 Devon Brigman (29-19) jr., 190 Barron Mansfield (29-16) sr., 215 Kenny Sledge (23-12) jr., 285 Malachi Marshall (31-20) jr.
Outlook: Hudson has won at least three team championships in a row three times and this weekend can add a second streak of at least four. The Tigers have defeated five teams competing at Wings this time, including Dakota and Romeo from Division 1, and their losses were to Dundee, Clarkston, Davison and two Ohio teams. Sorrow defeated Perry in the 120-pound individual championship match last season, and Julian Kimling was the champ at 126. Pickford, Jaxton Kimling and sophomore Chase Clark (120, 35-10) also are returning placers.

#2 ST. LOUIS
Record/rank: 28-0, No. 2
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Coach: Kevin Kuhn, 18th season (375-108)
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2024, Class C-D runner-up 1995.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Rudy Clapp (35-12) fr., 113 Owen Fogel (42-2) jr., 120 Alex Rodriguez (48-3) jr., 120 Cole Grollimund (30-11) fr., 132 Colin Kuhn (49-3) sr., 138 Laythan Haworth (10-0) jr., 150 Maddox Cline (34-7) sr., 165 Drew Challender (46-7) jr., 175 Justin Rodriguez (29-16) sr., 215 Ray Frye (31-16) sr.
Outlook: St. Louis will be seeking to return to the championship match for the second-straight season and defeated No. 7 Lakeview to advance to Finals weekend for the fourth year in a row. All but three starters are seniors or juniors. Alex Rodriguez is the reigning champion at 113 pounds, and Challender, Fogel and Colin Kuhn were all Individual Finals placers as well last winter.

#3 CLIMAX-SCOTTS/MARTIN
Record/rank: 24-1, No. 5
League finish: Tied for first in Southwestern Athletic Conference
Co-coaches: Logan Curry & Mike Reitz, third seasons (79-11)
Championship history: Martin was Class D champion in 1998, with three runner-up finishes.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Urijah Joostberns (29-11) fr., 120 Logan Gilbert (37-5) sr., 132 Cole Reitz (31-12) sr., 138 Jayce Ritchie (38-13) sr., 144 Haylen Buell (47-4) jr., 157 Jack Bagwell (34-16) sr., 165 Jakub Tomyslak (38-17) sr., 215 Sam Bleeker (36-14) sr.
Outlook: CSM has jumped up four seeds from a year ago, with its only loss this season to Division 3 quarterfinalist Allegan – and CSM then shared the SAC title by winning the league tournament. All six seniors in the starting lineup also will compete next weekend at Ford Field. Gilbert (106) and Buell (132) are reigning individual champions, and Bagwell, Reitz and Ritchie are returning placers as well.

#4 OTISVILLE LAKEVILLE MEMORIAL
Record/rank: 35-1, No. 4
League finish: First in Mid-Michigan Activities Conference
Coach: Dan Huggler, 12th season (273-133)
Championship history: Has never advanced to an MHSAA Final.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 120 Izayah Richards (25-19) sr., 126 Tommy Heatwole (45-8) sr., 132 Adam Hoch (46-6) soph., 138 Adrian Wing (35-18) sr., 144 Andrew Tucker (32-15) soph., 157 Gavin Bodnar (29-11) jr., 165 Fred Hammond (49-1) jr., 165 Randy Loewen (21-7) jr., 190 Aiden Tucker (47-2) sr., 215 Jake Hascall (39-9) jr., 285 Doug Hoyt (43-10) sr.
Outlook: Otisville LakeVille has reached the Quarterfinals for the first time since 1993, with its only loss to Division 3 second seed Yale and four commanding postseason wins by a combined score of 297-21. Hammond was a Finals placer last year and is one of five Falcons with at least 40 wins this season.

#5 CLINTON
Record/rank: 26-10, No. 6
League finish: Third in LCAA
Coach: Casey Randolph, 11th season (318-71)
Championship history: Two MHSAA championships (most recent 2021), one runner-up finish.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 113 Zach Taylor (41-9) soph., 126 Brock Worden (33-22) fr., 132 Braylon Long (33-2) sr., 157 Cliff Jones (31-3) jr., 190 Bryce Randolph (37-4) jr., 215 Owen Wright (24-18) soph.
Outlook: Tough competition pays off as Clinton is making its ninth-straight trip to Finals weekend, emerging as one of four teams from the LCAA. The Redwolves reached the Semifinals in Division 3 a year ago, as Bryce Randolph finished individual runner-up in that division at 175 pounds and Long also placed.

#6 UNION CITY
Record/rank: 26-4, No. 9
League finish: Second in Big 8 Conference
Coach: Jason Counterman, seventh season (141-37)
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 1997, Class C-D runner-up 1972.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Blayne Crance (34-15) soph., 120 Kaden Russell (34-14) fr., 126 Mitchell Graham (35-9) soph., 132 Mason Hawthorne (37-8) sr., 138 Logan Mears (36-3) sr., 144 Aidan Taylor (42-5) sr., 150 Alex Boyer (40-3) sr., 157 Montana Connell (20-7) sr.
Outlook: Often a factor in the Big 8 and a District winner for the fourth time in six seasons, Union City broke through for its first Regional title since 2000 in part thanks to a District Semifinal win over rival Bronson. The Chargers load five straight seniors through the middle weights, and all five are Individual Finals qualifiers as well. Connell is the reigning champion at 150, Mears was runner-up at 132 last year, and Taylor and Boyer also were placers.

#7 CHARLEVOIX
Record/rank: 15-8, unranked
League finish: First in Northern Shores Conference
Coach: Mike Hinkle, 12th season (record N/A)
Championship history: Has never advanced to an MHSAA Final.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 150 Collin Jess (44-12) fr., 157 Logan Wilks (32-10) sr., 175 Brady Warchol (37-17) sr., 190 Ryan Glass (26-14) soph., 215 Sawyer Blaszczyk (48-5) jr., 285 Connor Ortiz (35-15) sr.
Outlook: Charlevoix is making its first trip to Finals weekend coming off a dominating run to its first Regional title. The Rayders will have to take a void at 113, but have a foundation that could see them back in the hunt the next few seasons with six freshman starters and only three seniors in the lineup.

#8 ROSCOMMON
Record/rank: 17-9, unranked
League finish: Second in the Highland Conference
Coach: Drake Lewandowski, first season (17-9)
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2006.
Individual Finals qualifiers: 106 Kasen Spencer (34-15) fr., 120 Mason Hodnett (29-10) soph., 165 Crew Tyler (41-3) jr., 175 Toby Bigford (37-10) jr.
Outlook: Roscommon has reached the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2012, Lewandowki’s junior season on the team. He was an assistant the last two years as the Bucks won two straight District titles – an incredible rise as the program had only six wrestlers four seasons ago. The starting lineup will graduate only one senior but could have six returning senior starters next winter.

PHOTO Hudson accepts its Division 4 championship trophy last season at Wings Event Center. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)