Dawson, Nieuwenhuis Claim 4th Individual Titles, Romeo Wins Girls Team Final
By
Scott DeCamp
Special for MHSAA.com
March 8, 2026
DETROIT – Madison Nieuwenhuis has big plans in her future as it relates to wrestling, including competing in the World Team Trials and heading to the University of Iowa.
First, the Plainwell senior was looking to etch her name into the MHSAA record book Saturday at the Girls Wrestling Finals at Ford Field.
Nieuwenhuis became the second girls wrestler in MHSAA history to win four individual championships as she pinned Howell freshman Olive DiMassa in the 105-pound bout in 1:34.
Two matches later, Westland John Glenn senior Nakayla Dawson joined that select company with her fourth-straight title on a technical fall (5:30, 17-1) at 115 pounds against Frankfort senior Isabella Crompton.
Last year, Fowlerville’s Margaret Buurma became the first girl to capture four MHSAA Individual Finals titles.
“I’m super excited,” Nieuwenhuis said. “I’ve had this goal for, I don’t even know how long it is, and it’s finally come true. I’ve worked so hard, and I’m so happy right now.”
Said Dawson: “It is very satisfying because at the beginning of the season I wasn’t doing my best when I first got my (knee) injury. People thought I was going to lose states – they (weren’t) going to take the title from me.”
For the second time, the MHSAA recognized a girls team champion based upon individual points and places scored by each school.
Romeo was the team champion with 80 points, pushed by Oxford at 78.5. Plainwell was third (64), followed by Yale (55.5), Lowell (53.5), and Allen Park (47) among the top six.
“It was a really close race. Hats off to Oxford – they wrestled really well this weekend and I’m glad our girls could pull it off,” said Romeo coach Stephen Manuel, whose daughters Belicia and Kaili won individual titles in consecutive matches at 155 and 170, respectively. “We were behind going into the finals and we had to score 12 points, so they had to bonus and they did.”
100
Champion: Lillee Denson, St. Clair Shores Lakeview, Sr. (22-1)
Technical Fall (5:16) 22-6, over McKenzie Mantei, Dundee, Soph. (31-4)
Wrestling was a gradual progression for Denson, who didn’t begin the sport until her sophomore season.
“I started my sophomore year, and I didn’t even make it to state,” said Denson, who is a Northern Michigan University commit. “My second year, I just had to change my mindset and I ended up getting runner-up last year, so just short of state champion. And this year, I won it all because of my support system.”
Denson lost at last year’s Finals at 105 against Lowell’s Tatianna Castillo, who won the title at 110 on Saturday.
105
Champion: Madison Nieuwenhuis, Plainwell, Sr. (28-0)
Fall, 1:34, over Olive DiMassa, Howell, Fr. (40-2)
It was an emotional end to Nieuwenhuis’ high school career, as she sprinted toward the Division 2 boys mat immediately following her victory over DiMassa. She was a nervous wreck watching sophomore brother Dylan Nieuwenhuis win at 113 pounds.
First, she had to take care of her business, which she did with no problem.
“I’m super pleased with my performance. … I’ve got a lot bigger things coming, so I’m glad I got to check this part and pull it off,” Nieuwenhuis said.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it without the Plainwell community. There’s no one better than the Plainwell community. My parents have stuck by me and my brother. They’re there every single step of the way. They’ve done so much for us. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”
110
Champion: Tatianna Castillo, Lowell, Soph. (34-1)
Fall, 5:10, over Rylee Nidiffer, Riverview Gabriel Richard, Fr. (32-4)
Castillo collected a second-straight title, this one at 110 after winning 105 in 2025.
The Lowell boys team won its 13th-straight Division 2 team title last weekend, and the Red Arrows have had numerous wrestlers bring home individual championships.
Castillo is hoping that the Lowell girls can establish a rich wrestling history of their own. They’re off to a good start.
“I think we kind of trained to live up to the boys’ expectations, even though we’re our own kind of section,” she said. “I think it’s so, like, amazing to bring the girls something bigger into Lowell. Lowell isn’t really known for the girls (program), but being a state champ and helping other girls come, I just feel like it’s so amazing to be able to be a part of that.”
115
Champion: Nakayla Dawson, Westland John Glenn, Sr. (15-0)
Technical Fall (5:30), 17-1, over Isabella Crompton, Frankfort, Sr. (48-2)
It wasn’t the easiest of seasons for Dawson, despite her perfect record, as she was hampered by a knee injury to start.
Dawson remained inspired, however, to the point where she said she’d like to coach wrestling some day and teach others what she’s learned.
Dawson said she is considering Indian Hills Community College in Iowa for her next wrestling stop.
“It means a lot because just from me winning my first state title and everything like that, more girls have moved into wrestling, especially at my school and everything,” she said. “They wanted to learn, wanted to wrestle, because of me.”
120
Champion: Cheyenne Frank, Oxford, Sr. (39-0)
Technical Fall (4:40) 16-1, over Alexander Stiltner, Battle Creek Harper Creek, Sr. (40-2)
Frank capped her perfect senior season with a dominant win and a second-straight title. If that weren’t enough, she did backflips on the mat immediately following – just because.
“I just felt like kind of doing that. I just felt loose, you know,” Frank said with a big smile.
Frank was a Finals runner-up as a sophomore and placed fifth as a freshman as a four-time all-stater.
“This means a lot to my community, my team, like all my great coaches,” Frank said. “I’m just glad I got to do this, this last year with them and be surrounded by people I love and care about.”
125
Champion: Adriana Murray, Yale, Soph. (39-3)
Fall, 1:57, over Haley Stenz, Alpena, Soph. (32-2)
If you saw Murray’s vertical leap when she jumped into her coach’s arms after winning her first Finals title, then you may not believe she is coming off significant surgery during her freshman year.
Murray was at a loss for words Saturday, expressing gratefulness to be able to return to the mat.
“I got injured last year. I had surgery on both of my legs on my birthday, and it was supposed to be my last year (wrestling),” Murray said. “I won’t lie, it was miserable. I can’t sit here and tell you all the perfect stuff and that it was great and it’s easy to work through because it’s not. I couldn’t walk for nine months. I had to miss a little bit of school. I wasn’t walking. I wasn’t moving.”
130
Champion: Kassie Sapp, Whitehall, Soph. (39-1)
Decision, 6-4, over Cecilia Williams, Mason, Sr. (21-1)
When Sapp was trailing Williams 4-3 late in their match Saturday, she couldn’t help but think of her 4-3 loss to Grand Haven’s Gracey Barry in last year’s 115-pound title bout.
Even though Williams entered as a favorite, seeking her third Finals title after winning 125 last year and 120 in 2023, Sapp was determined to flip the script. She did so with a takedown during the final seconds.
“I mean, I just dug in, I really did. I don’t even know,” Sapp said. “I just found it within myself and I was like, ‘I’m not going to lose. I’m not going to do what I did last year.’ I was like, ‘I’m not going to lose 4-3 again. There’s no way.’”
135
Champion: Angellaya Burden, Mio, Jr. (28-0)
Fall, 3:33, over Paisley DeNault, Clarkston, Sr. (22-1)
After winning her second-straight championship, Burden admitted she’s not always fond of practices. She finished fourth in the state as a freshman, so somebody must be doing something right.
“I have to thank my coaches, even though sometimes I don’t like them,” Burden quipped and then laughed. “Definitely my teammates, too – even though I feel like quitting, they keep pushing me.
“I definitely struggle a little bit wrestling at practice, but I know at the end of the day it’s making me better – even when I’m wrestling my brothers,” she said, turning and looking toward her coach with a raised eyebrow.
140
Champion: Alexis Lazar, Brighton, Sr. (27-0)
Fall, 1:44, over Kylee Mollow, Olivet, Jr. (44-5)
Lazar has been wrestling for six years. She’s in her first year attending public school after previously being homeschooled.
In her first season competing in an MHSAA sport, she moved to the head of her class.
She kept her cool.
“I didn’t get in my head. I had fun the whole time. I just went out there and did what I had to do,” said Lazar, a Grand Valley State University commit.
145
Champion: MacKenna Webster, Three Rivers, Sr. (42-1)
Fall, 6:00, over Brynna Alwell, Allen Park, Sr. (31-5)
Winning her first Finals title was a big deal for Webster, after she lost in a championship match last year and finished sixth as a sophomore. But being a positive role model may rank higher on her list.
“Honestly, it’s everything. I’m always (trying to set an example) for the girls after me, to be able to leave my mark for those girls,” Webster said. “I just feel so completed. The girls after me, my little girls … they’re why I do it. They’re always pushing me all the way. I’m so glad that I could do it for them.”
Webster plans to attend Davenport University.
155
Champion: Belicia Manuel, Romeo, Sr. (50-0)
Fall, 1:03, over Aaliyah Langell, Big Rapids, Fr. (27-2)
Manuel seized her second title, adding to the one she captured at 140 as a sophomore. She finished runner-up at 145 last year when she lost to four-time champ Margaret Buurma of Fowlerville.
Watching sister Kaili win a championship at 170 immediately after she clinched hers, Belicia was very satisfied with the way her high school career wrapped up.
“It was really nice. It was really fun, especially winning it my last year together (with her sister),” Manuel said.
She plans to attend Northern Michigan University, where she is looking to wrestle.
170
Champion: Kaili Manuel, Romeo, Jr. (48-1)
Technical Fall (2:30) 23-7, over Adelaide Holderman, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, Jr. (25-3)
Moments after big sister Belicia won her second title, Kaili followed suit with another of her own. This was her third championship, as Kaili won at 155 last year and 145 two years ago.
Belicia’s match was so quick, Kaili pretty much missed it.
“Honestly, I looked at the beginning, I did like a lap and then I looked back and it was over. I was like …,” she paused, then gestured with applause to acknowledge her sister for a job well done.
When Kailia was asked if she and Belicia tangle at home, she came back with an amusing reply.
“It’s mainly my other sisters that fight,” she said. “I’m more of, like, a talker and not a fighter.”
190
Champion: Olivia Kemp, Carleton Airport, Jr. (25-1)
Decision, 4-2, over Kanata Richardson, Bloomfield Hills, Sr. (30-3)
Richardson was seeking a second-straight title, but Kemp had other plans – even if it looked bleak for her during a large portion of the match.
It was such an emotional finish for Kemp, she still had tears in her eyes several minutes after her match ended.
“I just looked over, saw my coaches – I thought of all the hard work I put in through the season, knowing I couldn’t beat her the last time I had a bum shoulder,” said Kemp, who placed fifth last year. “This time, I’m all healed up and ready to go. There’s no excuses.”
235
Champion: Halle Spears, Midland, Sr. (33-0)
Fall, 1:42, over AnnMarie Green, Clare, Sr. (27-2)
Spears finished runner-up at 190 last season, so all she had on her mind this year was to win the prize.
“It’s so great. I’ve waited so long for this. It feels really good to come back and get what I wanted last year,” Spears said.
A Grand Valley State University commit, she was overcome with emotion when she thought about her brother being in her corner at the Finals. Their celebratory embrace was accompanied by tears of joy.
“Have fun and do what you know,” she said. “I think when you’re wrestling, you should just always do what you know and wrestle how you know you have to wrestle.”
PHOTOS (Top) Westland John Glenn's Nakayla Dawson, left, and Plainwell's Madison Nieuwenhuis have their hands raised in victory after earning their fourth MHSAA Finals championships Saturday at Ford Field. (Middle) Romeo's Belicia Manuel, right, and Big Rapids' Aaliyah Langell prepare to face off. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)
Vance Bounces Back to Finish as Champ
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
March 10, 2020
It took a day for Tristan Vance to fully appreciate what he had accomplished.
The Clio senior won the Division 2 189-pound championship Saturday at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals. Quite often, it takes some time before the gravity of the moment sets in. For Vance, that was partially true. But mostly, he was too sore to celebrate in a big way.
“That night, I was happy about it and celebrating about it, but I was so sore,” Vance said. “My back started spasming up right after the match. I was just so sore. I wanted to get home, and I wanted to rest. The next day, I was ecstatic.”
The spasms were nothing new to Vance, but rather a painful reminder of what he had to endure to get to this point. He missed more than half of the season because of them and didn’t return to the mat until the postseason.
While Vance himself wasn’t showing the elation and emotion that comes with overcoming what he did, his coach and father, Tony, certainly was understanding of the achievement.
“All I wanted to do is find my wife in the stands and give her a hug and kiss,” Tony Vance said. “It was the best feeling I think I’ve had since my kids were born. I got excited, and I kind of walked to the middle of the mat looking for her. I didn’t know where she was at, then I saw her waving to me. I climbed the wall and gave her a hug. It was such a struggle for him, and so much for us, too.”
The pain started late in the summer for Tristan, but it stemmed from a surgery he had as a 12-year-old. Back then, he was having back pain that effected the way he was walking. After consulting with multiple doctors, a benign tumor was found on his spine.
“I thought I had cancer, and I thought I was going to die – for like 10 minutes,” he said. “Until my mom was like, ‘That’s not what it is.’ After that, I’ve always been kind of chill, not too worried about things.”
The surgery to remove the tumor was successful, but that wasn’t the end of Tristan’s problems. He said he suffered from nerve damage and sciatica. His muscles were still tight, and he had to undergo rehabilitation for his left hamstring.
Eventually, he improved and blossomed into a star athlete at Clio, playing quarterback and linebacker on the football team and earning all-state honors (eighth place) on the wrestling mat as a junior.
That’s what made things even harder when the back pain returned.
“In middle school, none of that mattered to me,” Tristan said. “This year, it really kind of hit a soft spot. I was really depressed about it. I was kind of sure that I wasn’t going to be able to do anything.”
Tristan thought he had another tumor, but that was quickly ruled out. He was told that the smaller muscles around the hole where the tumor used to be were weakened and never fully recovered. The bigger muscles in his back were overcompensating, causing the spasms.
He decided, however, to play quarterback through the football season, even though he ran the ball a lot in Clio’s read-option offense.
“It got so bad where he couldn’t even run sometimes in games,” Tony Vance said. “He would play until he couldn’t play anymore.”
The motivation for Tristan was to play his final season with his friends on the football team. He did admit, though, that if he felt his wrestling season was truly threatened, he may have stopped.
When wrestling season began, the thought was to take things slow. Tristan returned to the mat in January, but his back acted up again in the New Lothrop tournament, and he was once again forced to sit.
“When I had to stop wrestling, it wasn’t because of the pain. It was because my muscles would contract and spasm, and I wasn’t able to do it physically,” he said. “It hurt my feelings. I was like, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to finish the season. I had four other guys on the team that ended up going to the state tournament with me, and I was seeing them do well and I was happy to see that, but I wanted to be part of that so bad.”
Tristan helped his teammates in the practice room, though he wasn’t sure if he would be able to compete again. As the postseason drew near, he began working out more and preparing for the possibility. The decision was made to put him into the lineup during the Team District and see how he held up.
“We ended up holding him out as long as we could,” Tony Vance said. “He wrestled (in the Team District) and felt pretty good, so I said, ‘All right, we’ll wrestle you in (Individual) Districts. I was worried, because I didn’t want to have another kid have to sit out, then take him all the way up to Gaylord and enter him into Districts and him not be able to wrestle.”
Tristan entered the District with a 10-2 record. He also entered at 189, despite having wrestled at 171 earlier in the season. He weighed around 180 pounds, and Tony Vance didn’t think adding a large weight cut to the stress already on Tristan’s body was a good idea. The bump didn’t bother Tristan, who was second in the District and first at the Regional.
He entered the Individual Finals as the No. 2 seed. But thanks to having wrestled so few matches, and the presence of undefeated Central Michigan recruit John Shelton of East Grand Rapids on the other half of the bracket, Tristan came in under the radar.
“I had a problem with that last season, where I kind of got in my head a little bit and too full of myself, which really affected me,” he said. “Coming in as an underdog – it wasn’t the most fun way for my last season to be, but it really helped with my mentality coming into the tournament.”
Tristan won handily in his first two matches before running into Fruitport’s Crue Cooper in the semifinals. Cooper was considered by many to be Shelton’s main competition heading into the Finals, but Tristan came away with the 3-1 overtime victory.
“I really wasn’t getting too excited about anything, to be honest,” Tony Vance said of his mindset coming into the tournament. “Me and my wife were just happy that he was able to wrestle again. He won a huge match in the semis. As the match was going, I was like, ‘Man. OK, he’s really looking good.’ After that match was done, I was excited. I thought, whatever happens from here, he’s made a good run. I wasn’t thinking that he was going to win it, I was just thinking that we’d see where it goes (Saturday), and I’ll be able to tell how he’s doing at the end of the first period.”
Tristan was calm as he entered his match against Shelton, even after he was informed right beforehand of Shelton’s credentials.
“I have never wrestled him before, and I have never seen him wrestle before because he’s on the west side of the state,” Tristan said. “My plan was mostly just to get to my tie-ups, get to my offense and do what I do best instead of waiting on what he can do.”
The match was tied at 3 after one period, and Tristan was able to take a 4-3 lead with an escape in the second. In the third period, Shelton chose down, and Tristan built an 8-4 lead thanks to a nearfall and a takedown. An escape and a stalling point put Shelton out of striking distance again, and he threw Tristan in a headlock as the clock was winding down. Tristan was able to get to his stomach, though, preventing the takedown or any back points.
“He has ice in his veins,” Tony Vance said. “He doesn’t have any doubt in himself, but he doesn’t show any emotion. He’s just calm and cool.”
After what could be his final competitive match – Tristan said he’s undecided about his future – he was congratulated by a host of spectators just off the mat, including his teammates and coaches from other schools.
Excited but sore, Tristan calmly walked through it all, not yet fully cognizant of the degree of his remarkable achievement.
“I had a lot of emotions through that time, and I wasn’t really thinking about (going through the injury) too much,” Tristan said. “I was just thinking about what had just happened. Now I’ve realized that I kind of accomplished a lot given my circumstances this year.”
Paul Costanzo served as a sportswriter at The Port Huron Times Herald from 2006-15, including three years as lead sportswriter, and prior to that as sports editor at the Hillsdale Daily News from 2005-06. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Saginaw, Bay, Arenac, Midland and Gladwin counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Clio’s Tristan Vance works to maintain control in his opening match of the Division 2 Individual Finals against Lansing Waverly’s Demitrius Webb. (Middle) Clio coach – and Tristan’s father – Tony Vance celebrates as Tristan finishes a semifinal win over Fruitport’s Crue Cooper. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)